There are a lot of sustainable materials you can use to build an addition for your home, garden, or car. Here are some of the best things for the environment that can also save money.
Used Steel and Metals
Most metals can be recycled or used more than once, so they can be used to make almost anything. Also, things like steel are very strong, which makes them great for steel roofing that will last for decades as a carport or decking cover. Aluminium, copper, and tin are also some of the most recycled metals. Metals make great green products because their properties, like strength, don’t change when they are recycled or combined with other materials.
Recycled and Mixed Wood
Wood is one of the most commonly used materials on Earth. The big loss of rainforests is a great example of this. There are some ways to replace wood that has been cut down. But a lot of wood can also be used again. Timber can be cleaned up and treated so that it can be used for things like your deck. But it can also be mixed with other high-density waste, like plastic, to make composite wood panels, which are popular and very good for the environment.
Sustainable Materials Includes Plastic
Plastic is not good for the environment, and we all know it. Only about 90% of plastic is reused. Some of it can’t be recycled anyway. But most of it is just thrown away even though it could be recycled. But there are some good things about recycled plastic and many ways to use it. First, we can get rid of plastic trash that hurts animals and kills them. But it can also be used for a lot of public things. Recycled plastics are used to make things like outdoor furniture.
Bamboo is a Universal Option
Bamboo has become the material of choice for making eco-friendly products. The main reason is that it grows quickly and can be used over and over again. But as a grass, it can be treated in certain ways to turn it into other strong materials. For an extension like a pergola, you can use bamboo as part of the wooden frame. But it looks great for things like a trellis as well. It is also one of the least expensive materials you can use, costing about half as much as hardwoods.
Other Additions That Will Last
Your addition might be more than just a frame and roof, though. For example, if you want to use it as a place to sit, you will need to add more things. And you can save energy and leave less of a footprint if you choose some green options. LED lights, for example, are dirt cheap and almost free to use. Or, you can power what you need with small solar panels. You can also save money and energy usage by going with underfloor heating instead of traditional radiators.
Summary
Going through all the eco-friendly materials for an extension can be hard. But some of the best ones are made of recycled metals, used plastic, and accessories that save energy.