How to combine style and sustainability in new home builds

Properties today are built with the environment in mind. From material sourcing to building practices, there are many considerations to make when you’re taking on a new build project.

We want you to feel confident building new homes that are both stylish and sustainable, attracting high prices and making a great profit.

That’s why we’re taking a look at how you can combine style and sustainability in homes, building properties that are future-proof and made to last.

Why is sustainable construction important?

According to The Royal Institute of British Architects, “Buildings are big carbon emitters – from the carbon emitted during material extraction and manufacture to the build and maintenance process and fossil fuel powered energy consumption during occupation and use.”

Sustainable building isn’t just a popular trend; it’s a necessary reaction to worrying environmental changes.

Not only are sustainable new builds reducing construction’s carbon footprint, but they’re also lowering energy consumption and using materials that are sustainable, reusable and better for the environment.

Sustainable construction is also important for creating healthier, happier living environments. By incorporating sustainable practices into every stage of a property’s construction, architects and builders can create homes that are environmentally responsible and personally beneficial, improving occupants’ wellbeing and security.

What makes a new build sustainable?

A property’s sustainability applies very broadly to the many ways it contributes to the environment and therefore its total environmental cost as a complete structure. There are also other factors to consider, such as the types of resources and materials used in a home’s construction and the sustainability features incorporated within the property itself.

Whether it’s through the sourcing of materials, the construction process itself or the environmental impact a future home will have on its surroundings, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Sustainable use of resources

A sustainable new build considers the use of resources and how these are sourced and used throughout the property’s construction. It also assesses whether there are any renewable options to consider.

Sustainable homes are built with a lot of forethought and planning. This means every aspect of the property’s build is carefully thought about, all materials are thoughtfully sourced, and every element of the home’s operation is optimised for efficiency.

To achieve this, sustainable builders must focus on a deliberate and sustainable use of resources. The more sustainable the resources are, the less frequent maintenance will be required. This means a property will last longer and be less costly to maintain.

Increased property longevity

Whether you’re building a brand-new home or re-building a fixer-upper, one thing’s for sure: repairs and maintenance will be required in the future. It’s how long you can prevent the need for repairs in the first place.

While it can feel like a lot of money upfront, investing in high-quality materials is important because it will help a property last longer. And as the builder, it’s important to prioritize sustainable building practices that ensure the structure is built to the highest standards.

An organized build process

Building any type of home, let alone a sustainable one, is a massive undertaking. Investing in home builder software can be so helpful because it keeps you up to date with each aspect of your property and keeps your build running to schedule.

Whether you need to stay updated on material sourcing, client requests or invoices, home builder software ensures that each stage of a home build project goes smoothly.

Sustainable home design

To really embed sustainability into a new home’s design and development, it must be a priority from the very start of a project to the very end, underpinning every aspect of the build itself. Here are a few ways you can achieve this.

Square footage

The square footage and overall size of a property should be carefully considered. It should be big enough, with a suitable layout, to support the homeowners’ living requirements without leaving areas of wasted space. The closer a property is to the correct size, the less waste there is overall (this includes wasted space, wasted materials and wasted energy).

Thermal mass

Experienced home builders understand that a property’s thermal mass can increase or decrease its overall sustainability. A property’s thermal mass basically means its ability to store and release heat. When a property has good thermal mass, it can maintain a comfortable temperature more easily.

Choosing the right building materials can significantly help with this. Materials such as bricks, concrete and tiles are well-known for their ability to absorb heat and store it effectively.

A home’s thermal mass can be further improved by interior changes such as installing double-glazed windows, fitting quality window shutters and laying quality flooring. This means reduced heating and cooling bills and increased comfort levels for occupants after they’ve moved in.

Insulation

Did you know, 60% of the energy in the home is used for heating? Opting for high-quality insulation in a new build will increase a home’s thermal mass and certainly provide more protection against changing weather conditions in the future.

What’s more, installing insulation not only in the walls but also under the floors will reduce a property’s potential for heat loss, keeping the house at a more consistent temperature all year round.

Self-sufficiency

Sustainable homes are those that are increasingly self-sufficient. This means they can generate and store their own energy with features like solar panels. Or their own water by using high-tech water storage solutions.

Not only do these self-sufficient solutions reduce a property’s energy consumption and carbon footprint, but they also provide the option for a home to be completely self-reliant – even built off-grid.

Natural materials

Perhaps the most obvious solution to a sustainable new build is to carry out construction using natural materials. Incorporating natural materials into your new build can reduce your carbon footprint, lower the environmental impact of the overall construction process, help the finished build stand the test of time and reduce exposure to harsh chemicals and other pollutants.

Implement sustainable practices

As you can see, approaching your property build with a sustainable mindset can have a dramatic impact on the final result. Whether you’re hoping to build a green, future-proof home or you want to challenge yourself to lower your construction carbon footprint, we hope these tips help you combine style with sustainability in your next new build.

And if you’re in need of a platform to manage your sustainable builds, schedule a demo with Buildertrend today.