Reasons For Choosing An Eco Building

A green building is a building which has been selected for its qualities of sustainability and reducing impact on the environment. This can be achieved through;

1. Selecting materials fore their sustainability

2. Ensuring energy efficiency

3. Designing in recyclability at the end of the building's life

Sustainability of Materials

A green or eco-building should be constructed from materials which are responsibly sourced and if possible renewable. We need to consider where the materials have come from, and whether they can realistically be replaced. Traditionally used such as bricks are made from naturally occurring clay, which creates an obvious negative impact during extraction and a less widely known impact through production of fluorine: which is a highly reactive element that is dangerous to humans. Traditional Stone is also clearly a naturally occurring product; but not is renewable. Quarrying has an obvious negative impact in the environment! There are many options for eco-materials, but the only truly sustainable, renewable and natural construction material is timber. Timber is also a traditional construction material which has been used for centuries. Ancient timber buildings can be found throughout the world. By using timber throughout your green building: not just in the frame, but for the internal and external walls as well you can be confident in a truly sustainable building envelope. Look for FSC and PEFC certification to confirm sustainable sources.

Efficiency use of Energy

As the cost of energy increases so too does the potential for shortages in the future. A green building will ensure that energy use is minimised in order to reduce dependency and costs. Good natural light has will help reduce energy. However, it also brings personal benefits, as sunlight not only improves mood but general health and well-being and is even proven to kill germs within the furniture and building. A well designed green-building should give opportunities for sun-tubes and roof lights to help increase the natural light especially in corridors.

High levels of insulation are pre-requisite; look for the "U" values of your new building to ensure that lost energy is minimised. The "U" values will often be shown against different elements of the building such as windows, flooring cassette or walls. If you have selected a wooden building such as MPL (Machine Profile Log) then "U" values will be low:

- 0.16W/m²K for the roof

- windows potentially as low as 1.0W/m²K.

Don't forget - insulation works both ways keeping summer heat out as well as winter heat in! Ventilation is also an important consideration in your new green-building. Avoid expensive cooling systems and ensure that there is adequate passive ventilation. Such simple options as opening windows and roof lights help to ensure that there is good air-flow. Choose sustainable materials ie timber log walling is able to better regulate humidity than artificial materials and does not retain any electro-static charge. This is of benefit in particular to allergy sufferers which account for approximately 1:4 of the population.

Impact on the environment after demolition

Depending on the choice of sustainable building the lifespan will vary. An MPL building from Cabinco will typically last in excess of 80 years. The larch cladding alone will last 60 - 80 years without treatment. However, eventually, almost all buildings come to an end of their natural life, whether through degradation of materials or advances in construction & design making them obsolete. Don't let your new green-building be a burden to the next generation.

Remember though that a timber building will last just as long a one from any other material if it is designed and maintained correctly.

Check to see that the materials offer a sensible option for re-cycling. Steel and glass can be re-cycled and re-made but it is likely to be only a small element of the construction. Brick and block can be crushed for hard-core on other building projects - but this tends to only happen on larger sites, otherwise it is potential landfill and is expensive to transport. Plaster from demolition almost always ends up in landfill.

When looking for a green-building, look for a timber building. Timber is the only natural construction product which is traditional, sustainable and renewable.

Timber is 100% recyclable and at the very least will always be in demand for fuel which is a growing market and certain to be required even when the building itself is no longer required.


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When looking for a green building, look for a timber one. Timber is the only natural construction material which is sustainable and renewable.

Cabinco is an expert in green building and provide sustainable timber buildings for educational, commercial and private sector throughout the UK. For more information visit Cabinco website and blog.