Making Commercial Buildings Sustainable

Are you planning to renovate a commercial building? How about when you’re starting from scratch? Whatever you’re planning, you have to keep in mind that there’s more to a building than just obtaining the most common or cheapest materials to get the job done. Now, with the latest trend of sustainable or green buildings, there are more innovative methods that offer style, affordability, and durability. That’s why it is important to answer the question, “How can commercial buildings be sustainable?” This can be made possible by choosing the right eco-friendly and sustainable building materials to ensure that your building will be able to stand the test of time.

Fortunately, the advances in eco-friendly building materials, architectural films, renewable energy systems, and green solutions, we can now achieve a better balance in caring for our planet. In order to help you make your commercial building sustainable, we’ll describe these advances in greater detail. So, here are sustainable design considerations for commercial buildings.

1. Exteriors that are Low-Maintenance

Aside from ecological benefits, low-maintenance exteriors should come with durability to withstand the elements while also giving a modern look to new buildings. Some of these exteriors include:

Fiber cement siding - Fiber cement siding is a composite material made of cement reinforced with plant-based cellulose fibers. With this material, your building can be resistant to rot, termites, and impact such as airborne debris. 

Modified wood siding - If you use wood siding, your building can feature a natural look that most people want. You can also incorporate increased decay resistance, dimensional stability, and an impressive hardness. Moreover, you have many options of visually-appealing woods such as beech, birch, alder, and ash, and other varieties.

Steel siding - With the use of various modern alloys of steel, your building can benefit from steel siding that doesn’t only reinforce the structure but also offers an impressive visual impact that can speak volumes about the commercial building’s modern ecological style.

2. Natural Interiors

Add a perceptible warmth and charm to your commercial building by using eco-friendly interior materials. For example, interior wood cladding brings a modern look because of its limitless staining and finishing options. Since wood cladding doesn’t emit pollutants during the manufacturing process, it can last decades with proper maintenance. This material is a go-to for modern designers who want to add value to a building.

You also have the option of stone accent walls that can provide benefits since they are ecologically-sound and can make a beautiful statement. It doesn’t matter whether it is a flat surface, layered brick, or polished tile-- they all have the same effect.

3. Engineered Flooring

One great option for sustainability and endurance especially in high-trafficked walkways is engineered flooring. Most engineered hardwood floors are layers and respond well to moisture, temperature, and humidity. An eco-minded builder can even find both comfort and functionality when walking on engineered flooring.

4. Eco-Friendly Insulation

When speaking of insulation, one would probably immediately think of the pink fiberglass material. If you use eco-friendly insulation materials, your building can benefit from the improved moisture control and air circulation. Passive designs are also included and require little maintenance only, which helps the environment while also avoiding health hazards that can be acquired from traditional insulation.

5. Having an Improved Waste Management

Did you know that most commercial facilities and buildings spend too much money and energy due to waste management systems that are inefficient? There are many buildings that are designed with eco-friendly plumbing such as drainage systems that are improved. Steel/PEX pipes for heat retention and longevity, eco-friendly toilets that greatly help reduce water bills, outdoor water systems that recycle water, and even sanitary drainage systems that help improve the health of the occupants are some of the emerging designs for green plumbing.

6. Solar Panels

Using solar energy for building maintenance is actually an emerging trend today. This can be done by solar panel installation. Solar panels are a popular choice because they don’t only reduce power consumption and power the building itself but also because of the hyper-modern designs that make them stunning to behold.

7. Integrating Sustainable Designs

You can also start at the onset-- by incorporating eco-friendly materials that can bring new levels of functionality to how structures look and perform for the future when you’re designing or refurbishing your buildings. Today, both builders and architects already consider investing in solar, the beautiful visuals coming from interior wood cladding, the long-term investment with sanitary drainage systems, the use of engineered-wood flooring as part of the sustainable commercial building design that they are working on.

When going green, you also have to ensure that the components that make up your building must also be made from sustainable materials. For access doors and panels that can help you make your building sustainable, visit us at bestaccessdoors.com today.