In the past ordinary homebuilders and homeowners had neither much concern nor personal willingness to construct and own eco-friendly or green buildings.
However, rising energy costs and the continuous depletion of natural resources have changed the situation.
Therefore more and more homeowners and home buyers in Southern California consider green building to be the top priority, especially with so many financial incentives to build green today.
What is a Green Home?
Green buildings are buildings designed and constructed while using modern building techniques and sustainable eco-friendly resources. The characteristic features of green buildings include reduced construction and maintenance costs, and considerable long-lasting benefits to the individual, society and environment.
The importance of using sustainable green materials in constructing every part of a building is undeniable. As the floor is one of the most important components in every building, it is utterly important to make the floor “green friendly”.
How To Make a Floor “Green Friendly”?
If you are considering the idea of building a “green-friendly” home, you need to give serious attention to your concrete floors. Why? Concrete is the most environmentally friendly flooring material. First of all, raw material for concrete is limestone, which is the most abundant mineral on earth. What is more, waste byproducts from power plants and other manufacturing facilities, fly ash and slag cement can be used to make concrete. Furthermore, recycled products, such as metal shavings, crushed glass, marble chips and even recycled plastics can be incorporated in concrete floors. The most important factor is that the concrete itself can be recycled 100%. Concrete floors, if left exposed, could function as a foundation slab or finished floor. In the latter case, no floor covering (which would further require replacement) is needed.
Can Concrete Floors Satisfy Diverse Tastes and Needs?
Definitely ‘Yes’. Decorative techniques offer unlimited design versatility, which will allow anybody to create unique floors. Decorative Concrete Floors can be created while applying textures, patterns, saw dust and other techniques.
Three types of decorative concrete are epoxy flooring, concrete overlays and polished concrete.
Epoxy flooring is a form of surface coating. Being slip resistant, chemically resistant, fire resistant, this concrete flooring system is suitable for many uses: the residential, commercial and industrial environments.
Concrete overlays can be applied in layers. They resist damage from salt, chemicals, UV exposure, freeze-thaw conditions, and so on. A few interior examples include, kitchen, dinning room, bathroom, and foyer.
Polished concrete is a perfect flooring choice, particularly for modern interiors. It is shiny and easy to maintain.
5 Benefits Of Going Green With Decorative Concrete Floors
Environment Friendly. Decorative Concrete Floors help to minimize waste as green local materials (for example, limestone) are used to make concrete, and the floors do not need to be replaced (as carpet covering or wood). Furthermore, concrete floors are energy-efficient, as they save on energy to transport wood or other floor coverings to the buildings.
Cost-Effective. It will cost less to install concrete floor than, for example wood, marble or granite. Besides, the lifetime cost of the concrete floor will be low.
Energy efficient. Because of their thermal qualities, concrete floors absorb heat from direct sunlight and release the heat stored at the rate which is optimal for air temperature. So rooms will be warm in a colder period and adequately cool in the warm weather. Besides, polished concrete floors are a highly reflective surface, and the light is distributed efficiently, which can reduce the use of electrical lighting by up to 15%. This means bills on cooling (heating) and lighting are reduced.
Indoor Environmental Quality. Concrete floors do not support the growth of molds. Concrete floors do not trap dirt or dust. They are not suitable for dust mites to thrive (for, example, hiding deep in carpet floors dust mites could hardly be removed by vacuuming). It is easy to clean and maintain concrete floors.
Aesthetic Beauty. A beautiful and healthy home with decorative concrete floors can improve the quality of life.
To Go Green or Not To Go Green?
If you are still in two minds you can always contact JH3 Company for a free estimate if you live in our Southern California service areas of Ventura County, Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles County.