One of the greatest privileges of property ownership is the ability to make changes. If you are renting a living space or a piece of land, you have to get permission to make grand changes to the property from the owner. In many cases, these owners may be hesitant to approve your ideas, or even if they do, they will be in charge of how the project goes.
When you buy property, you have more freedom to make the changes that you want, as long as you adhere to local building codes and homeowner’s association regulations. Otherwise, you can tackle any projects that you like to upgrade or expand the property.
Often, these projects involve building new structures. Perhaps you want to build an addition onto your home as a separate living space for an aging family member. Maybe it is finally time to add a deck so your family can enjoy more time together in an outdoor setting. Maybe the land has the potential to house some animals but you will need a structure to shelter them. Whatever your building project involves, sustainability is an important priority to maintain. Here are a few ways to focus on sustainability with your building projects.
Green Energy Usage
Although our impact on the environment may be small, it is still an honourable consideration to make. Plus, using greener energy can save you money. Renewable energy products in your home can cut down on utility costs while also promoting less reliance on fossil fuels. Installing solar panels on the roof of the building can provide energy harnessed from the sun’s rays. A wind turbine on the property will cost a bit upfront, but lower the property’s electricity needs in the long run. Geothermal systems within the building can also cut down on energy usage and costs while maintaining comfort for everyone within. By focusing on green energy, your property will become more sustainable.
Choose the Right Building Materials
Another key component of sustainability is longevity. The longer something lasts, the less you will have to spend to repair it. Also, you will consume fewer resources from the planet if you choose more sustainable materials to build with. A great example would be a pole barn. Many pole barns have frameworks that are made entirely out of wood. However, wood can be vulnerable to moisture, rot, and termite damage. If you incorporate metal pole barn rafters, the structure will be far more likely to last longer before needing repairs or replacements. That means structural integrity is maintained and you consume fewer building materials long-term.
Recycling and Reusing
Reducing your environmental impact means consuming fewer resources on your property. When you have a construction project coming up, what can you do to recycle or reuse resources when building and using the new structure? Perhaps you can use the materials from a previous demolition in a new construction project if their integrity is not compromised. If this project involves additional plumbing, perhaps a greywater recycling system can be implemented to cut down on the total amount of water used by the property. Turning old products into items that serve a new function is a great way to focus on sustainability when making improvements to your property. You can probably buy reclaimed materials for your project from other property owners or even home improvement stores.
Insulation
Insulation is key in any type of building that living beings will occupy at some level. If there is no insulation in a building, it will experience all the hottest temperatures of the summer and the coldest temperatures of the winter. If you have poor insulation practices, then your HVAC systems will have to work a lot harder to maintain comfort, which means higher energy usage. To make your building more environmentally friendly and to avoid higher utility costs, make sure that your new building project includes a solid insulation plan. Otherwise, you will be sacrificing comfort and a larger percentage of your paycheck in the future.
Energy Efficient Windows
Windows are an important piece of a new structure. Whether it is a pole barn that will become a workshop or a new space in your home, these windows allow for natural light to enter the room. Windows can also be a source of heat loss, especially if they are older models or poorly installed. When you have improvements to make on your property, consider investing in energy-efficient windows at the same time.
Sustainability Will Cut Costs, Benefit the Environment, and Appeal to Other Interested Parties
There are many reasons to focus on sustainability when you have a building project for your property. First, sustainability means a longer-lasting result, so you will be spending less on repairs and maintenance. It also prioritizes a reduced reliance on external resources, so your impact on the natural earth is smaller. Finally, sustainable elements on your property can draw interest from others, especially buyers and tenants who may rent out your investment. There are no downsides to prioritizing sustainability as you plan building projects for your property.
