Building materials Archives - Page 2 of 3

Material benefit: Specifying eco building products

16 Oct 2017

Vetting the green credentials of building products is difficult for everyone. We find out how the experts go about this tricky task.

Outdoors

Pushing the boundaries: fence materials and design

10 Jul 2017

Mara Ripani explains how to push the boundaries of sustainable design to the very edge of the property with the new abundance of fencing options.

In focus

Construction waste: Low hanging fruit

22 Mar 2017

Stripping buildings of their reuse components before they are demolished can reduce demand for new materials.

Building materials

When is a concrete floor the right choice?

1 Dec 2016

Dick Clarke explains the benefits and design considerations for choosing a concrete slab, and some alternatives.

In focus

In search of good wood: building with sustainably sourced timber

28 Jun 2015

How do you go about finding sustainably sourced timber?

New build

A problem shared…

25 May 2015

Peter and Teresa’s family home, a careful composition of old and new in a series of pavilions, will continue to evolve with their growing family and changing lifestyle.

Building materials

Bamboo build

10 Sep 2014

Used as a building staple in South-East Asia since ancient times, bamboo is now seen as the ecological choice for everything from floorboards to cleaning products, but just how green is this grass?

Ideas & Advice

Ask our experts: Choosing tiles

7 Nov 2013

Melissa Wittig helps a reader with a question on the tricky subject of sustainable tiling.

Outdoors

Get your sun shades on: external blinds and shading

20 Aug 2013

In most climates, appropriate sun shading is as important to successful passive solar design as orientation and window placement. Anna Cumming looks at how to keep the sun out when it’s not wanted.