Environmentally-Friendly Siding Options That You Need to Know About

Blue wood siding - environmentally-friendly siding options you should know about

With many businesses and homeowners moving in a more ecological direction, builders need to consider what the different options are when it comes to construction and renovation work.

It is important that you factor in all facets of a construction plan to help reduce your ecological footprint wherever possible. Here are various options to consider for the siding of any construction project.

Wood


When sustainably harvested, wood can be a very green siding option because the material itself is highly sustainable. Wood is a natural material that does not need other materials or different components to be created.

This minimizes the manufacturing aspect of creating wood shingles or wooden panels, reducing their ecological footprint and environmental impact during the production process.

Additionally, wood is easy to work with and requires less energy and effort to transport wood products. Because it is lightweight, you are able to transport more product than other materials such as stone, requiring less fuel in your moving vehicles as well as less overall energy usage with regards to equipment.

Wood is a versatile resource that is important for any environmentally friendly building project.

Brick


If you are building a house and trying to figure out what material to utilize for your siding, consider brick options.

Brick is a popular option in environmental builds for several reasons. It does not require a lot of maintenance to care for, which is perfect for both residential and commercial settings.

In addition to being easy to maintain, depending on the bricks you use, they can be sourced from local raw materials, as well as be built from recycled resources.

Although these can be produced in eco-friendly ways, the transport process can be more resource intensive due to the density and weight of the product. If the brick is coming from a fair distance away, it could require massive energy and effort to get your brick orders to you.

Brick is also a heavy-duty building material, thus requiring experienced contractors to handle and work with such materials to ensure that structures are safe and sturdy.

Metal


Blue metal and stone siding - environmentally-friendly siding options you should know about

Metal is another option for your siding that can be viewed with environmental positives. The primary reason it’s considered to be a solid environmental option is the fact that it requires little maintenance after the initial installation.

In terms of its production, metal and steel are often made from recycled materials. However, steel is quite a heavy and bulky building material, often requiring different equipment and professionals to build with it.

Because of this, there are increased costs and demands for transportation and labour, which also increases the use of fuel, which increases the carbon footprint associated with a building.

Regardless, the lower need for raw resources still means that metal should be a consideration for any home that is being built with environmental reasoning in mind, as it is strong and reliable as a long-term core building material.

Stucco


Depending on the location of your project, stucco is a substance or building material to consider for the siding of any building project.

Stucco consists of ingredients that are easy to source, such as sand, water and lime. This means there is less damage to the environment in order to properly attain such building materials.

It is important to consider that stucco is not ideal for all situations, as you will need access to stucco repair, as well as professionals who have experience working with this material.

The ingredients listed can make stucco susceptible to certain weather conditions, so you will want to avoid areas that experience heavy rains and ones that are not as humid.

For a truly environmentally-friendly stucco, look for options that use cement alternatives or eco-friendly cement.

Stone


Similar to bricks, stone products provide another great option to consider when you are constructing the side of any building.

Much like brick options, stone provides great aesthetic appeal, and requires little alteration to make it ready for construction and building needs. Stone also lasts just as long, if not longer than brick siding.

That said, much like bricks, stone comes with similar drawbacks. It also requires a lot of energy to be dedicated to its transport, as it is a heavy material to ship and build with.

Additionally, stone also requires mining in order to source the raw materials before construction and production. 

There are plenty of ways to prioritize the environment when it comes to building in a more environmentally friendly way.

It is important not just to consider the material itself, but the amount of work that is put into sourcing the material, its construction, as well as everything in between.

Paying attention to the energy associated with every stage of the building process will truly inform you of your overall impact and if you are operating in an eco-friendly way.

Feature image: Daniel Janzen; Image 1: Clarissa Watson

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