Eco friend or foe: A contractor's advice for renovating responsibly

The importance of sustainability and the impact of humans on the environment is a concern that has penetrated the world of construction and design. The good news is that there are so many sustainable materials available these days. But with so much choice out there for consumers, it can be hard to know what to reach for if you want to renovate with sustainability in mind. That's why contractor Darren Voros stopped by The Goods to show off his favourite materials for a more eco-friendly building project.

There are five things Darren says people should consider when selecting eco-friendly materials.

• Harvesting – Where does this come from, how did it get to your front door?
• Manufacturing – How much impact does the processing of this product have on the earth?
• Use – What is the life of the product?
• Demolition – Is there any environmental impact when this is torn out?
• Disposal – Can this product be recycled?

Here are some of the building materials Darren recommends based on his five key tenants. 

Flooring: Opt for rubber over cork​

Cork

Cork is highly renewable but at a slow rate. Bark from cork trees can only be removed once every 7-10 years and most of it is harvested in the Mediterranean, so it requires a lot of energy to transport it to North America. Installation can be done with nails but using adhesives and then a sealer is the most common method, which means it adds some chemicals to the process. On the plus side, cork keeps its shape well and is resistant to mold and rot, but it may not be as durable and long lasting as rubber.

Rubber

There is an abundance of raw rubber materials available in North America, and there are several varieties of flooring made from recycled rubber tires. It does off-gas slightly but the emission of toxins is low, and it can be installed without adhesives because of its thickness. Some of its best features are that it's super easy to clean, resistant to mold, and it's highly durable. Hypoallergenic options are available and there are tons of styles and colours to choose from so you aren't stuck with tire black.

Roofing: Opt for metal over cedar shingles

Cedar shingles

Cedar shingles are often made from Western Red Cedars found in British Columbia, which helps reduce the energy required to transport them. To lessen their impact, try to source it from a Forest Stewardship Council approved contractor because it's very easy to recycle used timbers. On the plus side, cedar is highly resistant to moisture, rot and wind. However, this type of roofing needs to be stained every 5 to 15 years depending on the type of finish. Its lifespan is about 30 years, and warranties vary from 25 and up. But watch out – cedar shingles aren't permitted in all regions because they may pose a higher than average fire hazard, so be sure to do your research before you buy.

Metal roofing

Metal is all the rage right now. Steel roofing is 100% recyclable, whereas the re-shingling of existing roofs adds up to 20 billion pounds of waste to landfills each year. Metal roofs will not corrode or crack, and they last for about 50 years. In 25 years you may need to replace the screws because the rubber gaskets will break down with UV exposure, but the metal material will hold up for much longer.

Another plus to metal is that you won't need to clean your eavestrough from roofing material residue, which is usually the case with asphalt shingles. But it's a good idea to install snow guards because when the snow slides off your roof, you really don't want to be underneath. Snow doesn't stick to the metal's slippery surface, but textured options are available. Metal roofing does cost 3-4 times the cost of a regular asphalt roof, but you'd replace asphalt around three times over 50 years. So in the long run, this investment could be a green and great one.

Countertops: Opt for bamboo over concrete​

Concrete

Cement is an ingredient of concrete, and it is the second most consumed product after water. And it shows: cement production is the third ranking producer of anthropogenic (man-made) CO2 in the world after transport and energy generators. But the other side of that story is that cement lasts, so it can be energy efficient in some applications. It's even recyclable. Concrete does have some great qualities, just be sure to invest in responsibly manufactured concretes if you love or need this material.

Bamboo

There are over 1000 species of bamboo and this hardy plant grows in tropical and temperate environments. It's a type of grass that grows from its roots and it grows back very quickly after it has been harvested. Bamboo is also grown without pesticides or chemical fertilisers, it requires no irrigation, and it rarely needs replanting. It grows so rapidly that it can be harvested in 3-5 years, producing 35% more oxygen that an equivalent stand of trees. Not only that, but it also sequesters carbon dioxide, is carbon neutral, and it's an excellent soil erosion inhibitor. Bamboo's production into fibres has lower environmental impact than other forms of fibre, especially synthetic ones. It can be turned into flooring, furniture, rugs – the list goes on. 

Resource guide

CLM Steel Roofing

• Metal roofing

Centura Tile

• Rubber floor