“Green building” trendy middle class fad? Absolutely not and here’s why.
What has been seen as too expensive and technically complex most of us to pay attention to is becoming easier and for most people a real part of their home renovation.
You don’t have to be doing a large re-build to take advantage of the many new building products that come from sustainable sources – they really do help to make your home a better place to be .
The bigger DIY retail groups are taking a very proactive approach to both products and useful information – for example, the B&Q website (www.diy.com) has a whole section devoted to “eco” materials.
In addition, they provide information about energy reduction and have a wide range of video clips to demonstrate simple areas to make savings like bleeding radiators and mending dripping taps. It may not sound like a lot but to coin another well known catch phrase, “every little helps”.
Homebase likewise have an “ecohome” section (www.homebase.co.uk) and all of the major outlets (including M&S www.mandsenergy.com) have services such as fitting loft or cavity wall insulation, if you want to build greener but DIY is not really for you.
For the more serious planet protectors out there, you may have a chance to visit BRE (Building Research Establishment www.bre.co.uk) in Watford. BRE have a permanent exhibition of “future homes” and are one of the UK’s leading research establishments for building product technologies and systems. You would need to check their website for open days.
Slightly further afield but well worth a visit on one of their open days are Natural Building Technologies in Oakley, South Bucks (www.natural-building.co.uk). Again everything new in terms of green building is here to view.
The National Self Build and Renovation Centre at Swindon is a must for the real green build enthusiast (www.buildstore.co.uk) - it is the only permanent centre open daily to the public. It provides both a wide variety of information about “how to…” as well as running courses every month on self build and renovation. The”Big Green Home Show” also takes place there annually, this years event 28th – 30th October is already available to book.
Everyone can become a green builder so no excuses, just do it.
Nicky Bryden – Clearplan Project Management Limited
