48 BUILDING FABRIC
WITH HOMEBUYERS NOW LOOKING FOR NEW SUSTAINABLE HOMES, ONE OF THE FIRST CONSIDERATIONS FOR A HOUSEBUILDER SHOULD BE THE MATERIALS
sustainable ambitions. Some developers have publicly stated that they will now only work with suppliers and manufacturers who have an emphasis on sustainability. One devel- oper has even set a challenging target to reduce waste relative to build area by 20 per cent by 2025, and as a result, they are only working with manufacturers and suppliers who can help them reach this goal. With so many homebuyers now looking
for new sustainable homes, one of the first considerations for a housebuilder should be the materials supplied by the manufacturer, as they play a large part in helping a contractor or developer provide
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK
sustainable solutions on new builds. From insulation and bricks to the tiles used on top of the roof, each product on a new-build should be considered. For instance, concrete roof tiles are extremely strong, durable, and the manufacturing process uses considerably less energy when compared with similar clay counterparts because extensive power is required for firing clay in a 1,000+ºC kiln for up to 48 hours. Concrete tiles are cured at a much lower temperature – in the region of 55ºC – and for a shorter period of time of around 24 hours. By comparison, this equates to an overall energy saving of up to 30 per cent of that required in the production of clay tiles. A thinner leading-edge tile can also be
instrumental in providing a sustainable roofing solution. The tile uses 15 per cent less raw materials than a standard concrete roof tile, and the product has less depth. This means that around 20 per cent more tiles can be packed onto a pallet, which equates to a much lower carbon footprint when transporting them. However, it is not just the products
that need to be considered. To be recognised as a sustainable housebuilder or developer, it is important to work with companies and suppliers who have considered their environmentally-
friendly production, recycling and energy efficiency processes. A manufacturer’s sustainable initia- tives could include keeping landfill waste to a minimum and recycling plastic by crushing it down for other uses. They may also only use local raw material suppliers, which can reduce the environmental impact of large trucks travelling long distances and creating pollution. Housebuilders and developers can recognise a manufacturer’s dedication to sustainability easily through accredita- tions such as the BES 6001: Issue 3. This standard is the most recent version of the BRE Framework for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction incorporating the need for energy efficiency. It highlights where a manufacturer is reducing both its environmental impact and its consumption of resources. By choosing manufacturers that have
a sustainable ethos and products now, housebuilders and developers will be better equipped to reach the Government’s ambitious plans and to achieve homebuyers’ requirements for their properties.
Mark Parsons is technical director at Russell Roof Tiles
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
