Concrete is an important feature in our world. It is used in the manufacture of concrete blocks, paving and landscaping products and almost every modern construction product. It is a material that very much shapes the world around us.
The way concrete is being used in construction and the way it is manufactured is slowly changing as our attitudes towards the environment involve. Many builders and concrete manufacturers are faced with the challenge of creating sustainable homes form environmentally friendly products. The methods for building in a sustainable way and manufacturing products sustainably should complement one another so it is important to understand the process that goes into making concrete materials particularly if you are involved in the construction industry.
How do you know the products you are using meet today’s environmental standards?
The benefit of using concrete products such as concrete blocks, split face blocks etc is that they produce energy efficient homes by letting very little heat escape. This is why concrete is important in reducing energy bills and consumption of fossil fuels. Part L of the Building Regulations for England and Wales have new strict guidelines as of 2013 that put new requirements for the energy efficiency in newly built structures and in the renovation of those structures.
If you are a company that values sustainability and wants to use the most environmentally friendly methods this should go right back the manufacture process of the products you use.
When it comes to the making of items like concrete blocks for industrial use you need to use a major manufacturer who not only meet the standards of new green regulations but have High Green Guide ratings. Green Guide ratings access topics such as water extraction methods, mineral resource extraction, ecotoxicity to freshwater, human toxicity, waste disposal, fossil fuel depletion, acidification and much more when it comes to building and manufacturing.
Look for manufactures who use recycled materials in the manufacturing process where ever possible but also work to significantly reduce their CO2 emissions during the manufacturing of their concrete blocks and other products.
Monaprecast are a prime example of a major nationwide manufacturer of concrete blocks and landscaping products that strictly adhere to regulations in the Code for Sustainable Homes. Over 70% of their product aggregate used in their process comes from recycled resources. The company has high Green Guide Ratings. When embarking upon sustainable construction make sure you know the source of your products and the methods used to make sure they are as environmentally friendly as possible. The result is that new structures have a much more limited impact on the environment. From the manufacturing of the products, to the construction and ultimately the energy efficiency of the structure itself, all these need to aim for sustainability.
