In shades of green

TRENDS

A green home is a great home. It’s a wise choice too. With the threat of global warming looming large over our planet, it is high time we considered reducing our carbon footprint.

Contrary to popular opinion, green homes do not cost much at all. In fact, they end up putting some extra cash in your wallet over a period of time. And, designing green homes can be fun as they are homes that are ideally constructed with a smart design and require minimal maintenance. Most of all, they send an important message to our friends and neighbours that we care about our environment, whether they do, or not.

To begin with, the design of the house should allow a good amount of sunlight and fresh air to stream in, while also making provisions for the use of solar power to the maximum. From solar ovens to solar heaters and solar lights, the use of solar energy saves energy costs while reducing the dreaded carbon footprint.

Fortunately for us, most architects and builders are now following green principles to the last word and employing various methods to make a home green. As a step in this direction, many of them are now popularising the use of eco-friendly building materials like cellular light weight concrete blocks, sun dried bricks, bamboo-based products, clay roofing tiles, cement paint, calcium silicate boards and tiles, and so on.

The availability of energy saving air conditioners and high performance glass windows too add to the green plan of the house. Herbs, mud and lime combination. Another popular trend that is fast catching up with home builders is to go in for eco-friendly structures that use Ayurveda for construction! In such homes, while bricks and floor tiles are made of medicated clay, a mixture of lime, mud and medicinal herbs is used for plastering.

For, cement is considered to be loaded with toxins and other harmful chemicals. The use of such organic building materials not only reduces building costs but also ensures the good health of its inhabitants.  

That people are slowly waking up to the fact that finding green solutions to environmental problems plaguing our planet is within our reach is evident from the fact that they are now seeking water saving solutions like never before and are composting toilets.

Rain water harvesting has now become a norm with most home owners. The use of low water capacity toilets, flow restrictors at shower heads and diversion of water from kitchen and bathroom sinks to the garden are some ways in which water can be utilised better.

Locally available material

The use of locally available materials also goes a long way in ensuring that the house is greener as such materials require minimum processing and hardly anything is spent on transportation. More often than not, such locally available materials will be just perfect for the climatic conditions prevailing around. In addition, they will be cheaper, abundantly available and renewable.

Though wood is one of the most necessary materials for construction, care should be taken to use it judiciously. For, the need to save our forests is as great as finding green solutions to cut energy costs.

One way of using wood in an environment-friendly way is by going in for sustainably harvested trees where the trees are harvested with the health of the forest in mind. By using such wood, we are not only doing our bit to save the planet but are saving the forest too by ensuring that its good health and character are maintained.

Reuse, recycle and reduce

While building a green home, the importance of three Rs cannot be emphasised enough - Reuse, Recycle and Reduce. Yes, don’t throw that old bucket out of the window. Reuse it either as a pot holder or as a dustbin to sit cosily in the corner of your kitchen. Cover it with glazed paper if you think it needs some artistic treatment. The same principle of ‘Reuse’ can be applied to almost anything at home that you think is redundant.

Coming to construction materials, use recycled items and reuse old building materials. From doors to tables and sinks, everything is available at the local ‘used’ market at a throw-away price.  

All that such materials require is a good coat of paint or polish to gleam as new. The use of such materials not only saves on the energy spent in manufacturing and transporting them but also conserves the raw materials that would have otherwise been drawn from nature to manufacture them. At the same time, the construction cost will also come down drastically, making the saving substantial.

Another great advantage of reusing old building materials, especially wood, is that old wood is any day preferable as it would have cured well and will not change shape like new wood once it is put in place. Moreover, while rummaging in the store selling old building materials, you might actually stumble upon an antique piece of furniture that can occupy the pride of place in your home and turn your neighbours green with envy.

Most of all, it is always advisable to go in for houses that are just right in size for their occupants.  The bigger the house, the more the need for building materials and energy for its construction and upkeep. If possible, share facilities with neighbours as this can be very beneficial for both the environment and the residents of that neighbourhood.

In this kind of arrangement, each family may have its own bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen but shares the dining area, recreation room, swimming pool and the gym. Though an interesting concept, it hardly has many takers in India. But, there are a few gated community and township projects that are promoting shared facilities in a big way.