Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Building Practices.
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Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Building Practices.
“Sustainable” and “Eco-Friendly” are terms that are thrown around a lot these days, but when it comes to building, renovating or extending your home what do they actually mean?
After being inspired to build a house made from straw and natural materials, our sustainability interest was poked, stoked, and has grown and grown, from then onwards we haven’t looked back and have continued to study and research why and how we can ‘build better’.
Air tightness, good insulation, where the sun is going, solar, heat pumps, all electric homes, shading, cross ventilation, material choice and embodied energy are discussed on the regular and we try to engage with and improve our clients homes in any way we can. We don’t know everything...but our promise is to always do our best and to be genuine, caring and thoughtful about creating the best homes we can.
“There are many sustainable features that can be included in a project and lots of clients are surprised to know just how many they can include without stretching the budget, but planning is the key!”
Some of the sustainable and eco features that we express and integrate into our builds wherever possible are:
Utilizing the sun for solar passive design, natural heating and comfort
Using natural light to create light, bright, beautiful spaces and use less lighting
Installing optimal (not minimum) insulation to ensure the house is comfortable, retains heat and coolth, and has reduced long term running costs
Designing and specifying windows that encourage cross ventilation where possible and maximise airflow for fresh air, the purging of hot air and general well being of inhabitants.
Removing gas to encourage and create 'all electric homes': these homes use hot water heat pumps, induction cooktops, and reverse cycle ait conditioning. These electricity costs can then be rebated with solar panels and save gas connection costs and be substantially less cost to run as well as better for the environment.
Using rainwater recycling for gardening and flushing of toilets to reduce water consumption and cost.
Using good quality, double glazed windows and doors to retain heat and comfort
Using low embodied energy materials and integrating low or no VOC materials and products in our homes.
Designing, specifying and building homes made to be robust, durable and well thought out which will stand the test of time and offer long term value and comfort.
Recycle, reuse, and reduce waste where we can
Use new construction methods that adopt air tightness and breathable homes to reduce mold and moisture issues and promote healthy air quality inside the home.
Generally pursue 'good design' principles and build homes and spaces that people will love.
Utilize Energy efficient lighting, appliances and systems.
Have fun creating great relationships with our customers, suppliers and trades while pursuing excellence in building and sustainability.
Efficient & well designed homes.
We believe that efficient, well designed and built homes are for the betterment of people and the world as a whole. Reducing pollution, creating comfort, proving warmth, saving money, reducing environmental impacts and creating spaces where people and families can flourish is what we are passionate about.
Our vision is to create homes and spaces that benefit people, the environment and the world! No matter what stage you are at with your project we are more than happy to have an open chat about what can be achieved, so please drop us a line.
About Aligned Building
Aligned Building is a sustainable, eco-friendly builder servicing the Inner West of Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. We have been established in the Inner West for over ten years and use our local knowledge and team of local professionals to deliver our projects in collaboration with our clients.
