There are understandably a lot of great reasons to focus on building more eco-friendly buildings. However, there are also some downsides that don’t get much attention.

One of the biggest challenges with constructing green buildings is dealing with worker safety risks. Unfortunately, there are some reasons that workers on green construction sites are at greater safety risk than those working on other projects.

EHS Today is a popular magazine that talks about consumer health and safety concerns. They also cover issues related to worker safety concerns. They published a report back in 2011 talking about some of the additional concerns that workers face when creating green buildings.

The article was written by Laura Walter, a leading expert in worker safety. Walter cites a study titled “Identification of Safety Risks for High Performance Sustainable Construction Projects.”

She says that this paper shows that the biggest additional risks that affect workers on green construction sites are that they are more likely to fall and suffer cuts and abrasions. They face a 36% higher chance of lacerations, 24% higher risk of falling and 19% increase in eyestrain. They also have a 14% higher chance of health risks due to exposure of toxic chemicals when working on innovative wastewater treatment.

There are a couple of things that make it more dangerous to work on green construction projects. The first issue is that green construction workers have to spend more time working far above ground, because they have to install solar panels and other types of green technology. This obviously increases their risk of falling and suffering severe injuries. They are also more likely to be injured while working with green building materials common sense they can be more abrasive and trickier to maneuver. A good construction injury lawyer can help you be aware of these risks.

Fortunately, these issues are not inevitable. Walter interviewed Peter Stafford, who is the executive director of the Center for Construction Research and Training. Walter said that there are ways to improve green building worksites to avoid many of these problems.

What Are Some Ways That Green Construction Sites Can Be Safer?

While there are some unique dangers to working on green construction sites, there are also some ways to deal with these concerns. Some of the most important safety steps to take are listed below.

Make sure that recycled materials are checked for quality

You also need to make sure that recycled materials are properly vetted to ensure that they are safe to use. A lot of recycled materials have impurities that can cause them to break while using. This is both dangerous for the occupants and workers on the sites.

Make sure workers have the right PPE

PPE is obviously important for any construction project, but it is even more important for workers on green building projects. They need to given the right equipment to avoid falling when installing solar panels and other green building equipment.

Be aware of outside environmental issues

Green buildings are often constructed in different locations to minimize the impact on the environment. Text while this can be a good thing for the planet, it can also raise additional concerns. They might be built on terrain that is less steady, so it needs to be properly leveled. This is a safety concern that should always be taken, but is even more important when working on a green building project.

Be prepared to deal with dust from natural insulation

Natural insulation materials are also more prone to cause dust. You want to make sure that this is dealt with in an appropriate way.

The post Report: Green Construction Sites Have Additional Safety Concerns appeared first on Green Building Insider.

Chances are that you want to make a profit on the price you paid for the house and the only way to do that in today’s market is by remodeling the interior and exterior design. With a few adjustments here and there, there are tons of great ideas, and with these four effective strategies, you may even get the full market value!

Get A New Roof Installed

Roofs are one of the best investments to gain the majority of the money spent on it back on the resale price. If a new roof costs 10 grand, you can expect to add $6,000 or more to the property value, which is quite good compared to other home improvement jobs.

With today’s new roofing coming in various materials and designs, you can give the house a roof to be admired by everyone to see. Many roofing companies now possess these new roofing technologies at affordable rates, so it’s always wise to compare some of the best roofers near me before making a final decision. Talk to them about which material is the most sustainable option and works for your budget. With a new roof installed, you can lower your energy costs and minimize the need to turn the heating on earlier in the year.

Upgrade Windows and Doors

Installing new double or triple-glazing windows and changing the front and back doors can dramatically improve a property’s appearance and drive up the price considerably. This is also great for keeping the home more energy-efficient and keeping it sound-proof, which is one of the most important things prospective buyers look out for. Recycle your old door, bring in the new one, and do your bit to protect the environment. This small act will assist you in becoming a greener house.

Make The House Energy-Efficient

Talking of making the home more energy-efficient, there’s no doubt that energy-efficient houses are more valuable to homeowners and buyers because of the amount of money they can save per year on energy bills. New technologies like smart thermostats, solar panels, condensing boilers, and HVAC systems are some of the best ways to help keep energy bills to a minimum and give the home a high energy rating. Going greener is a lot easier when you install useful tech like this.

By making certain energy-efficient upgrades to a home, homeowners may be eligible to take advantage of another benefit—tax credits.The tax legislation surrounding energy-efficient upgrades tends to change each year. However, by using an updated tax calculator, you can get a pretty good idea about how a specific tax credit might impact your tax return. Ultimately, before claiming any sort of tax credit, it would be best to consult with a tax professional to make sure you’re fully informed and up-to-date.

Give The Garden A Makeover

Your garden has a lot of potential for helping you become a greener household while adding value. You can achieve this by ensuring you hit two key elements:

You should have a place where you can sit and unwind with nature overlooking the beautiful landscape. Giving the garden a makeover by fitting a new patio area, designing a fancy BBQ area, or even installing a water feature or a bespoke swing in the garden will impact the overall layout. The other key element is about making it eco-friendly. This means laying a new green lawn, planting colorful plants, choosing eco materials, installing a water butt, and cutting back on the chemicals you use. Making your own fertilizer is just as good and will make your garden thrive.

No matter the size of your garden, there are lots of inexpensive ways to increase its value and make it more appealing for potential buyers.

The post 4 Effective Ways To Increase Home Value and Gain a Greener Home appeared first on Green Building Insider.

Asphalt shingles are the most common choice for roofing, but they are not your only option. There are many materials available today that are not only attractive and durable, but also eco-friendly.

Why Go Green With Your Roof?

Eco-friendly roofs are friendly to more than just the environment. Sustainable roofing can lead to a higher property value, which will come in handy if you ever sell your home. But you don’t need to move to feel the advantages of a green roof.

Some eco-friendly materials like metal or slate can last upwards of 50 years, double the lifespan of an asphalt roof. Then there’s the benefit of sustainable living. Protecting the environment is a growing concern, and using green roofing materials is one way you can contribute to that cause.

Sustainable roofs have a lot to offer. But what specific materials can you use?

Metal

Metal roofs are some of the longest-lasting ones out there. Though metal roofing can be expensive, you will likely never have to replace it. These roofs are durable enough to withstand rain, snow, hail and wind for years to come.

Because of its slippery nature, metal roofing is ideal for collecting rainwater or preventing snow buildup. One possible downside is that some metals may rust over time. However, many alloys are resistant to corrosion. Even vulnerable metals can resist rusting if appropriately treated.

Clay

People have used clay as a roofing material for centuries. It has a proven track record of weathering the elements. Exceptional strength aside, these roofs are also notable for their beauty.

Not only are earthen tiles durable and aesthetically pleasing, but they are also easy to recycle. If that wasn’t enough, clay is also fireproof, making it pretty close to invincible. There is, however, a cost for all these advantages.

Clay tiles are heavy, and as such, you cannot install them yourself like you can with other materials. You will have to hire a professional roofer to apply them, which means you’ll have to spend more money.

Slate

Slate is a kind of rock made up of clay and volcanic ash. This material offers many of the same benefits as clay tile: It is durable, fireproof and attractive, often coming in sleek, dark colors. Unfortunately, it also shares clay’s downsides.

Slate roofing is heavy and requires strong supports and professional installment. It is also comparatively expensive. Artificial slate is an available, and cheaper, option, but some people can spot the difference in appearance between this and the real thing.

Wood

Wood never goes out of style. It’s natural, it’s attractive and it’s versatile. Wooden shingles and shakes look good on nearly every kind of house and alongside almost any building materials.

Like with metal, there are several different kinds of wood you can use as roofing, although cedar is the most popular. Various woods have different properties, but generally, wood roofing provides excellent insulation from temperatures in both extremes.

One unique aspect of wood is that it will change color as it ages, but this may be desirable, as many people believe it looks better over time. The major drawback of wooden roofing is that it’s flammable. To protect your home, if you go with a wood roof, you’ll want to get it treated with flame-resistant materials.

Recycled Shingles

Recycling is one of the best things you can do to help the environment. While asphalt may not be eco-friendly on its own, you can recycle asphalt shingles to find a second life as paving or even new roofing material.

Just as you can recycle shingles, you can buy ones made of recycled material. Many recycled shingles are either reused asphalt or rubber from old tires. This kind of roofing is durable, getting its strength from its combination of materials, and are one of the most environmentally friendly options.

Recycled shingles can sometimes resemble wood, making them aesthetically pleasing as well.

Choosing the Right Material

There are upsides and downsides to every material, so no one roofing option is better than the rest. To find what works best for you, consider your budget, your home and your environment.

If you live somewhere with more extreme weather, you’ll want something more durable, like metal or slate. If your hometown has a milder climate, you can safely opt for a more vulnerable material like wood.

You should also consider the structure and material of your house. Clay and slate roofs work best with stone or concrete houses, both for their looks and for their strength, which can support the weight of these materials.

Naturally, you have to think about your budget as well. Slate might be easier on the eyes, but it will put more of a strain on your wallet. A roof with increased durability might be expensive, but it also may be worth the price, since it will last longer.

Regardless of what your situation is, there is a material that will work for you. If you find yourself needing a new roof, consider one of the many green options available.

The post What Green Roofing Materials Are Available Today? appeared first on Green Building Insider.

Apart from improved air quality, green walls also have excellent insulation properties which can absorb noise and improve indoor temperatures. To make sure that living walls are correctly installed, here are six considerations you need to make.

Availability of light

Living walls need maximum exposure to light since most plant species used for these installations are tropical and evergreen. If the installation is situated in a space with limited light, you can use LED lights to supplement natural light. In using artificial light to sustain living plants, you need the assistance of a professional green wall company like CityAirTech.com with the installation.

Selecting plant species

Green wall consultants will provide you with a list of plants to choose from which are ideal for the conditions. Together with designers and architects, you can narrow down the options depending on the desired aesthetic. Most of the plant species used for green walls are tropical indoor varieties which can thrive well in a warm indoor climate. If you want enhanced air purification capabilities, you will need to choose plants that can absorb air pollutants like formaldehyde and carbon dioxide. If installing living walls in healthcare facilities, blooming plants are not ideal because flowers can release pollen which may cause allergic reactions.

Planting medium

Depending on where the green wall will be installed, you need to take into account whether or not you require a plant medium that prohibits the growth of bacteria. In hospitals and other sterile environments, for example, it is best to use a plant medium like rock wool.

Wall system

Livings walls usually consist of panels or trays. Green wall panels are typically modular and come with pre-grown plants. These panels are also removable for easier access to irrigation lines. If you choose a tray system, you can add potted plants which you can also replace or rearrange anytime you like.

Water source

Large-scale green walls usually come with built-in irrigation systems that have a timer for scheduling the frequency of watering the plants. This type of irrigation system makes the green wall low-maintenance. If there is no option to access a water supply line, you can use a tank with a pump system to water the plants manually. The system will automatically re-circulate the water, so there is no need for drainage or plumbing.

Plant maintenance

Plants need care and maintenance once in a while. Depending on how fast the plant grows, you may need to prune the vegetation every couple of weeks. But if you want to achieve a certain look or manipulate the plants to grow a certain way, you will need to work on maintaining the plants weekly.

The post 6 Considerations When Installing Green Walls appeared first on Green Building Insider.