Green Construction: New Methods, Materials, and Equipment

Introduction

Since ancient times, the construction industry has struggled to develop new methods, materials, and equipment to keep up with growing demand for buildings. The industry has continually endeavored to build faster and better than it did in the past. The most current and pressing topic in construction — one that outweighs virtually any other — is green construction. Society not only demands that the industry build bigger, better, and faster; it now demands that this be accomplished without harm to the environment. The following sections examine some of these newer, greener methods, materials, and equipment.

In a constant race to meet society's demands, the construction industry has relied on technology to provide the means to accomplish this task. The most important challenge the industry faces today is the need to develop more environmentally friendly materials and methods. In our quest to build more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly buildings, we have created many new challenges. For instance, more tightly sealed buildings now often result in increased humidity within structures, calling for new techniques to mitigate the problem. Innovations in the industry also include more fuel-efficient equipment to cut dependence on fossil fuels and to reduce greenhouse gases. Contractors are now using polymers instead of wood, creating longer-lasting materials and reducing the destruction of forests. The latest trend in environmentally responsible construction is to recycle as much waste as possible and to use recycled materials wherever feasible.

What Is Happening in the Industry?

Energy efficiency is the new mantra of the construction industry. Buildings must waste less energy through heat and cooling loss. New techniques have long focused on making buildings tighter and more energy efficient; however, new levels of energy efficiency have also created problems with humidity inside buildings. This has called for new strategies to control moisture within new structures.

Increasing humidity can have many negative impacts inside a building. It can lead to problems with sensitive electronics, create an atmosphere that is harsh for those who are environmentally sensitive, and even lead to unhealthy conditions such as mold growth. It is a common misconception that concrete is waterproof (Nasvik, 2008). Foundations eventually leach moisture that can create significant problems over time.

To solve this problem, many buildings are now constructed on top of a polymer moisture vapor barrier. This system is used for on-grade floor slabs to prevent water vapor from traveling from the ground up through the concrete. In the past, natural ventilation occurred through leaky windows and other gaps in the building envelope. However, newer, more energy-efficient construction has eliminated these natural ventilation channels (Nasvik, 2008). These membranes come in several thicknesses and classes according to their intended use. One of the most difficult challenges associated with membrane installation is preventing damage during the early construction phase (Nasvik, 2008).

Green innovations are not reserved solely for the structural portions of a building. Contractors must also be aware of the newest innovations for the home's interior, including low-flow faucets that can result in a reduction in water consumption of approximately 20% compared to conventional fixtures (Weber, 2008). These new fixtures not only conserve water but also introduce new design lines and artistic innovations.

Experts agree that of all kitchen appliances, the refrigerator uses the most energy, since it runs continuously (Baccinelli, 2008). New ideas are currently under development to improve compressor technology and make it more efficient, alongside research into better insulation to retain cold temperatures longer. Manufacturers such as Whirlpool, Liebherr, GE, and Thermador are racing to produce the products with the right features to attract the growing base of green consumers (Baccinelli, 2008).

Grey water systems for toilet flushing and energy-efficient lighting have been on the market for some time. However, the construction industry must take a leadership role in making them standard in homes around the world. Consumers need to be educated on all of the options available in green construction. Not everyone is knowledgeable about the newest innovations for their new home, and this is where the project manager can serve as an educator, helping homeowners make the best decisions for their circumstances.

The construction industry is one of the biggest producers of waste among all business sectors. A representative of the Associated General Contractors of America recently urged the U.S. government to offer incentives to construction companies that work to reduce their own waste and to use a larger percentage of recycled building materials where appropriate (AGC, 2009). The construction industry may be one of the biggest waste generators, but this also translates into one of the greatest opportunities to reduce, reuse, and recycle. The proposed incentive would provide a tax credit for construction companies that reuse as much as possible (AGC, 2009).

Many materials can be recycled and reused on the construction site, including concrete, asphalt, soil, and construction debris (AGC, 2009). In addition to saving on materials costs, recycling also reduces transportation costs and lowers energy use at every point of contact in the landfill process (AGC, 2009). Recycling of wood materials likewise has a positive impact on reducing the destruction of forests.

Green construction is quickly becoming the new norm. Companies that continue to do things the old way will soon become outdated. The quest for greener construction has led the industry to look at traditional materials in a new light. Concrete is one of the oldest building materials known to humanity, and it has found its way into green construction largely due to many of its inherent properties (Palmer, 2007). Concrete can make rooms quieter through its acoustic qualities, it is highly durable, and it contributes to the thermal mass of a building, helping to increase overall energy efficiency (Palmer, 2007).

Concrete is expected to find many new uses in the greening of the construction industry. It can be locally produced with minimal disruption to the site (Palmer, 2007). It is recyclable, resource-efficient, durable, and disaster-resistant. Concrete is also finding new artistic applications within buildings. Its versatility and natural characteristics make it an excellent candidate for sustainable construction going forward.

Sustainable construction does not stop when a building is finished and occupied — it considers the entire life cycle of the building. There are many systems and phases that must be addressed in the design process. As illustrated in lifecycle sustainability frameworks (Sustainable Construction, n.d.), the issue of sustainability continues throughout the building's life. This underscores the number of contractors and service providers that must be involved in a green project; every one of them must choose greener options in order to achieve a truly sustainable building in the end.

Targeting and benchmarking are important parts of the green building process, as is thorough record keeping. The project manager must work with the building owner and occupants to decide what levels of sustainability are reasonable given the use and function of the building. These goals and benchmarks will differ for every project. Sustainability in construction represents an ongoing process that extends throughout the entire life cycle of the building.