BRICK
The right choice of construction materials can contribute significantly to lower monthly operating and maintenance costs.
What would you like our readers to know if they’ re considering using eco-friendly or sustainable building materials for their homes, and why?
Electricity is an ever-increasing expense for householders. The right choice of construction materials can contribute significantly to lower monthly operating and maintenance costs.
In South Africa, winter temperatures in the Highveld approach zero at night, while summer days can reach as high as 40 ° C at midday. The density of clay brick gives it the ability to absorb heat during the day and release it at night, reducing the need for artificial heating in winter and cooling in summer. Unlike cement blocks and bricks, there is no“ hotbox-icebox” effect.
The CBA educates construction professionals and property owners on building energy-efficient structures. Its technical manuals and guides are available
Conradie Park.
free from the association’ s website { www. claybrick. org).
What are the pros and cons when it come to choosing the right sustainable materials?
The additional cost, or“ green premium”, of building with sustainable materials is considered to be around 5 % during construction. However, many sustainable design principles, like the use
of shade or a cavity in a wall, cost nothing at all. Walling materials are a fraction of the total cost of building a house. As a result, the property owner may be able to recover that 5 % difference within a few months through electricity savings.
Potential energy savings of 30 % have been identified for residential buildings with clay brick walls rather than cement brick. Those savings can rise to 70 % when an insulated cavity wall is used.
Eco-friendly clay bricks contain no pollutants or allergens and are resistant to ants, borer beetles, and termites. They are recyclable and reusable and there is a thriving market for recycled brick for paths and hard landscaping and rebuilds.
Competitively priced, accredited brick suppliers can be found in every region of the country, offering consistent quality, available stock, and shorter transport distances that reduce carbon footprint. The association’ s website includes an interactive map that helps users identify nearby suppliers and product information for their construction projects.
What are some of the most exciting innovations in ecofriendly or sustainable building materials right now?
Clay brick masonry is eco-friendly at its core. Formed from clay and shale, bricks are proven to be in a class of their own when it comes to low carbon emissions, reduced energy costs, and affordability.
Although ceramic bricks are among the earliest man-made building materials, the past 15 years have seen massive changes in production technology, particularly in South Africa. Traditional kilns are being replaced by fuel-efficient, water-wise
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