3 Energy Efficient Materials for Building a New Home
Home builders are under increasing pressure to create energy-efficient structures, with the United States having a goal of a net-zero economy by 2050. In addition to staying on track to meet this goal, builders must also continue to create stylish and functional homes that can stand out in a competitive real estate market that is sure to get squeezed amid rising interest rates. Fortunately, there are a plethora of innovative building materials that can help builders check all of these boxes. Keep reading to find out more about 3 energy-efficient materials Wisconsin builders can use in new home construction.
1. Aluminum Windows Fortified With Window Inserts
One of the best places to start when building an energy-efficient home is the installation of high-quality windows. To this effect, aluminum windows are becoming an increasingly popular option over timber, uPVC, and vinyl framing options. There are many ways that aluminum window frames can improve the energy efficiency of a home: Excellent durability - most aluminum window frames will last up to 30 years when properly cared for. They do not become brittle like vinyl in the face of fluctuating weather conditions, and they will not rot like wood. Not only will this help keep the home’s building envelope airtight for decades, but it will reduce resource consumption for maintenance and replacement.Thermal efficiency - most aluminum windows are now using polyamide glazing technology, which significantly reduces heat gain and heat loss through windows when compared to uPVC alternatives.Recyclability - although it may not be intuitive to think about the end of the home’s life during the new construction process, it is an issue that contractors must consider in 2022 amid increasing pressure to reuse, repurpose, or recycle scarce resources. Aluminum windows are 100% recyclable and non-toxic, requiring just 5% of the energy used to create them during the recycling process. Although aluminum windows are impressive in and of themselves, builders in Wisconsin may be looking for an additional level of insulation to help the home withstand the cold northern winters. If this is the case, exterior storm windows or window replacement inserts are a couple of options that can help improve the insulative qualities of windows by creating an additional seal against drafts.
2. Radiant Floor Heating
A great way to ensure a consistent, comfortable interior temperature for Wisconsin homes during the cold winter months without kicking the HVAC unit into overdrive is through the installation of a radiant floor heating system. With radiant floor heating, electric mats or heated pipes are placed beneath the home’s flooring material, releasing heat up through the floor in a consistent, stove-like manner throughout the day. This helps eliminate cold pockets in areas of the home far away from HVAC vents. Radiant heat is also much more energy efficient than forced air systems, which suffer from parasitic heat loss. As heat travels through air ducts, some of it is lost through cracks. In addition, as heat rises, it is not evenly distributed throughout a room as it blows in. Therefore, in order to raise the temperature of a room to the desired level, forced air systems usually have to heat many degrees above the desired temperature to achieve the effect--resulting in significant amounts of wasted energy. Increasing room temperature via radiant systems is much more efficient, making direct contact with the area to be heated and dispersing upward throughout the room, requiring a fraction of the energy of a forced air system.
3. EIFS Stucco
Although typically thought of as a solution for commercial buildings, EIFS stucco is increasingly gaining traction as a cladding option for residential homes thanks to its outstanding energy efficiency. Nearly indistinguishable from traditional stucco facades, this synthetic stucco system has an R-value some 20X greater than the classic product. It achieves this through a layered insulation approach: A water-resistant barrier is applied to the wall’s substrateEPS, XPS, or mineral wool is added as a base layer of insulationA layer of fiberglass mesh is added for reinforcement and crack resistanceA water-resistant base coat is added to the fiberglass mesh for increased impermeabilityA finishing coat is added to provide the color, texture, and exterior protective properties The result is a continuous insulation system that provides an R-value of up to 5.6, making it one of the most energy-efficient cladding products on the market.
Reduce Energy Consumption With These 3 Efficient Building Materials
Builders have to balance myriad factors to navigate the new home construction landscape in 2022. However, at the top of the list is creating energy-efficient structures that can meet increasingly stringent governmental and societal demands. To this effect, there are many innovative building materials that can help. Aluminum windows fortified with inserts, radiant floor heating, and EIFS stucco are 3 future-geared products that Wisconsin builders can use to improve the energy efficiency of a new home.
Brian Jeffries is the content director for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.
