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If you're just starting out on your self build journey, you will need to consider what the house will be like to live in and run. There's little point building from scratch just to end up with a home that performs no better than those churned out by big developers.

The trick to keeping a lid on running costs (i.e. heating and electricity bills) and ensuring your family enjoys a comfortable living environment lies in taking a holistic, sustainable approach to your project.

That means getting things right at the design and specification stages, so the structural envelope of your home - the fabric - performs well. Thankfully, the easiest route to achieving that is when you're working with a self build.
What is a 'fabric first' approach to home building?
By giving priority in your project's design and budget to elements such as insulation and air tightness, you can create a highly-efficient structural shell with minimal heating demand.

The benefit of this route is clear - reduce your central heating and hot water requirements and you can specify a smaller, cheaper-to-run boiler. If you can hit high standards of energy efficiency in your home's fabric, you may be able to look at low-grade systems, such as mechanical ventilation and heat recovery.

Ensure plenty of insulation is integrated into your project. The more high-quality insulation you can fit into the walls, roof and floor, the more heat the structure can retain - and the less you'll need to generate on site.

This needs to go hand-in-hand with a number of other measures, including good air tightness through membranes and sealing procedures (to prevent warmth escaping as draughts) and careful design to minimise thermal bridging (where heat is transferred out of the house via structural elements that breach the insulating envelope).

Thermal bridging may be out, but you will want your new home's structure to provide is a good deal of thermal mass.

It should contain materials that can absorb warmth from the sun's rays and gradually release the heat collected as exterior temperatures cool - helping to maintain a comfortable internal environment.

There's no point building in thermal mass if the sun's warmth can't reach it - you'll need to work with your designer to ensure your home is correctly oriented on the plot.

You should also come up with a glazing specification that helps to retain the right amount of heat while maximising natural light (which will keep your need for artificial lighting to a minimum).
Can conventional construction methods be eco-friendly?
It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking certain structural options are 'greener' than others. In fact, any construction method can be used to achieve very high standards of energy efficiency - even zero-carbon and Passivhaus levels.

The difference comes in the specific advantages of each system and the practicalities involved in using them to create a low-energy home with minimal running costs.

So don't rule out conventional construction methods for your eco project. You can, for example, achieve excellent results with cavity walling by paying as much attention to the on-site construction as the design stages.

Deep cavities are combined with high levels of insulation and top-quality wall ties that minimise thermal bridging, while contractors' skills are taken full advantage of for tasks such as wet plastering to achieve maximum levels of air tightness.

Switching to modern 'thin-joint' blockwork, which uses a mortar layer of just 3mm (as opposed to 10mm on traditional masonry), can also help create a more airtight envelope.

With all the cement that goes into a brick and block build, there's lots of thermal mass available - though some people are put off by the high amounts of energy that go into producing such materials.

A 2010 project in Denby Dale has pioneered brick and block for meeting Passivhaus standards affordably - see www.denbydalepassivhaus.co.uk.

Conventional timber frame is similarly adaptable when it comes to energy efficiency. On highly prefabricated 'closed panel' systems, insulation is already included in the frame, often along with pre-routed service channels and pre-fitted fenestration.

Backed-up with accurate manufacture, that means fantastic air tightness is straightforward to deliver on site. What's more, timber frame can deliver greater levels of insulation within a thinner overall wall profile than brick and block - so you can gain a little internal footprint to boot.

Where the system can fall down slightly is on thermal mass, but you can always use a blockwork wall or materials such as stone flooring to make up some of that disadvantage.

There are also alternative methods of construction.
What are the alternatives for green building?
Some construction methods are actually conceived with energy-efficiency and low running costs in mind - and these often win favour among forward-thinking home makers.

Structural insulated panels: One such system is structural insulated panels (SIPs) - a variation on panellised timber frame (hence core performance properties are similar). The factory-made SIPs consist of two sheets of oriented strandboard (OSB) that sandwich a core of high-quality injected insulation.

In the energy-efficiency stakes, the advantage of this is there's no studwork within the individual panels; reducing thermal bridging.

In practice, U-values for walls max out at around the same level as timber frame (0.1 W/m2K) - but SIPs do make jobs such as air tightness detailing even simpler. The panels can also be used to create a fully-insulated warm roof, giving you liveable loftspace.

Solid masonry walls with external wall insulation: If you'd rather to stick to a masonry-style system, one option is to go for solid walls. This involves building a single leaf of blockwork (which could be of aircrete or heavier construction, depending on how much thermal mass is required).

This is clad with external wall insulation (EWI), which can be finished in a range of materials, including render and brick slips. The EWI provides a continuous envelope of insulation, while the internal blockwork leaf affords plenty of useful thermal mass.

Building this way doesn't come cheap, and requires the input of a designer with considerable understanding of the system.

Insulating concrete formwork: An alternative take on masonry construction is insulating concrete formwork (ICF), which basically involves stacking a series of hollow polystyrene blocks and backfilling them with concrete.

This creates a highly stable structural core, with plenty of thermal mass. The blocks remain in place after construction to provide continuous insulation and good air tightness.

A standard 100mm thick ICF wall hits a U-value of around 0.24 W/m2K. Increasing the thickness of the insulating blocks up to around 400mm (which can still give you thinner wall profiles than brick and block) brings correspondingly low U-values, right down to 0.1 W/m2K.

There is a school of thought that wrapping the concrete up completely with polystyrene negates the potential thermal mass benefits - but this is combatted by having thinner insulation on the inner face. The system is also quite intuitive to use, so it's a favourite among hands-on self builders.

Straw bale building: Various natural construction methods are also available. These can be used to achieve modern standards of insulation while also reducing the amount of embodied energy (basically the CO2 that goes into the production of materials) that ends up locked into your home's structure.

Straw bale is the most popular natural system among self builders, who are attracted to its accessibility and ultra-low cost. The bales comprise mostly air, so whether load bearing or used as an infill for a timber frame, they provide great levels of insulation.

Once finished with clay or lime-based render inside and out they gain good air tightness and some thermal mass - all in all, a great recipe for a sustainable home.

Where it can come unstuck is that not all planning and building control authorities understand the system. It can also be difficult to find follow-on trades, such as electricians, as many won't have experience with straw bale.
What else goes into an energy-efficient building?
Whichever core building system you choose, remember this is only the start of your journey towards creating a sustainable home.

You need to keep up the same specification standards with other key structural elements of your project - including the foundations, roof, windows and doors.

You must also ensure attention to detail is applied out on site for tasks such as air tightness sealing. Fail to do this, and your efforts to create a low-energy home that's cost-effective to run could be in vain.
Does it cost more to build a green home?
The simple answer is that, unless you're willing to take on a significant amount of the structural work yourself (say on an ICF or straw bale project), you should expect to pay more to build a highly-efficient home than a standard house.

But the difference doesn't have to be huge, and you can get a large part of the way there by focussing on relatively cost-effective improvements, such as upping the insulation specification.

Did you know?
According to a recent government report, green homes are worth around £16,000 more than equivalent properties

At the end of the day, even allocating more of your budget to seemingly expensive fabric upgrades (like triple glazing) can prove a sounder long-term investment than scrimping on the structure in favour of renewable technologies.

After all is said and done, and you've moved into a home that's designed with sustainability in mind, you'll soon feel the benefits in terms of low utility bills and a comfortable internal environment.

What's more, as Building Regs get ever tighter, going eco now will help secure your project's future market value.

Photo: Build It readers the Nielsens opted for timber frame packed with Warmcel for their eco house in Cumbria.

Published: July 2013

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If you're just starting out on your self build journey, you will need to consider what the house will be like to live in and run. There's little point building from scratch just to end up with a home that performs no better than those churned out by big developers.The trick to keeping a lid on running costs (i.e.

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Concern for the environment and for sustainability has dramatically increased in recent decades. More and more construction projects are being completed using sustainable building materials. These materials offer a number of advantages, both economic and environmental.

When choosing a building material for a construction project, a number of factors need to be considered when determining how sustainable the material is. These materials need to be harvested from renewable rather than non-renewable resources. The environmental impact of the material chosen must be considered over the whole life-cycle of the project, rather than merely over the short term.

Keeping in Mind Resource Efficiency

The resource efficiency is an important factor to keep in mind. This refers to materials that can be used as efficiently as possible with a minimum of effort. For example, choosing materials that include a sizeable amount of recycled, post-consumer or post-industrial content, makes a project more efficient, as does choosing materials that have been produced locally to reduce transportation costs.

How the building materials are manufactured is also something that needs to be kept in mind. Is the manufacturing process itself sustainable? Was renewable energy used to power the process, and were waste products kept to a minimum? Were steps taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Reusing salvaged building materials from other projects or other buildings is another important strategy for making a construction project more sustainable. This helps to save resources in several ways. First of all, these materials are reused, rather than being disposed of in a landfill.

Second, re-using materials reduces the amount of energy that is needed, since new building materials do not have to be manufactured from scratch. The amount of energy that is required to refurbish these old materials is significantly less than the amount that would be required to manufacture brand-new materials.

Enhancing Sustainability

The overall design of a building should also serve to enhance the sustainability of the materials that are used. Buildings should be designed to be as energy-efficient as possible to avoid wasting excess power on heating, cooling, and lighting. By choosing the right material, architects can dramatically reduce the amount of energy that is required for a building's operations.

There are many questions that need to be answered when you are considering using sustainable building materials in a construction project. By keeping these principles in mind, you can ensure that your next project is as environmentally friendly as possible.

For more information on the role green roofing systems can play in sustainable buildings, please visit the dedicated section on our website by clicking here.

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What Are The Benefits Of Sustainable Building Materials?

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Concern for the environment and for sustainability has dramatically increased in recent decades. More and more construction projects are being completed using sustainable building materials. These materials offer a number of advantages, both economic and environmental.

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Do you really know the true definition of sustainability? It is a trendy word that is often tossed about, but the real definition may be lost at times.

Merriam Webster dictionary refers to the meaning of sustainable as, able to be used without being used up or destroyed; methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources; able to last for a very long time. Essentially, to sustain something is to keep it and make it last for future generations.

With this definition in mind, let's look at 10 reasons why sustainability should top your list when it comes to building your home. We will also look at some sustainable building materials and how you can incorporate them into your home.

1) Building to Last a Lifetime

Just as the definition says, sustainability is meant to make something last. The main idea of using sustainable building materials is to construct a home that lasts-and a longer-lasting home means lower maintenance costs and less up-keep.

A cost reduction and extended life-span seem reason enough to convince anyone into building a sustainable home. But what sort of materials are used to make a sustainable home last so long and make it so cost-efficient?

Here are just a few examples: Low-flow plumbing fixtures, durable bamboo and cork flooring, solar panels, natural fiber wool carpeting, concrete flooring & walls, reclaimed wood, and metal roofing & siding, to name just a few. We have so many durable construction materials available to us, so why not use them? We could make the world a bit more green and save a little green, too!

2) Advanced Framing Techniques

Advanced framing techniques are usually employed by conscientious builders who build 'Green' homes. Essentially, it is a form of house framing that uses less wood.

Why would we care to use this technique? Well, there are actually a lot of reasons: advanced framing actually results in less material and labor costs, it improves the homes energy performance, it still meets building codes, and it results in a more durable, sturdy home.

Advanced framing with wood from sustainable forests is just another great tool to add to your sustainably-built home. Of course, there is always two sides to every story, and some builders are against advanced framing, so do your research first.

3) Conserve Energy and Save Money

By using sustainable building materials in your home, you will be conserving energy and saving money in the long run. How you ask? Energy is conserved two-fold-

One, you conserve energy on a larger scale by using sustainable materials whose manufacturing results in less waste products that fill the world's landfills. Two, you conserve your homes energy by using materials that are more efficient, such as low-flow toilets, green insulating materials that result in a better insulated home, on-demand water heaters, and programmable thermostats.

What does all this efficiency mean? It means that you save money AND help to save the worlds resources! Check out this energy calculator to see where your home could be improved.

4) Have a Healthy, Comfortable Sustainable Home

It's a fact-sustainably-built green homes are healthier and more comfortable. Sustainable building materials emit few, if any, toxins such as carcinogens, VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds), and mold spores.

There are numerous materials that improve a homes air quality-such as natural wool carpeting, air systems that bring refreshing outdoor air indoors, insulation that prohibits mold growth, and laminates that don't use toxic glues.

A sustainable home is a healthy home. Look into the many healthy sustainable products that are currently available for your home.

5) Minimize Waste Through Sustainability

A lot of sustainable building materials use reclaimed or recycled materials. It is simple-the more we re-use products, the less we acquire new products and deplete world resources (and waste less energy manufacturing new materials).

While we may not have a home that is explicitly built with sustainable materials, it is a good feeling to know that by using even one or two sustainable building materials we can lessen our personal carbon footprint.

Sometimes it is a combination of the little things-such as LED lightbulbs or programmable thermostats- that combine to make a big environmental impact.

6) Buy Local Products

Local products are extremely sustainable because they eliminate the cost and energy consumption that goes into transporting goods all over the globe.

If you buy locally-made products for your home, you are likely to save money (the consumer undoubtedly pays for the hefty costs of shipping/transporting global goods), and you are re-energizing your community by keeping your money local.

It feels good for your wallet and it feels good to know that you are supporting a local manufacturer! Look around your community; is there a local manufacturer that produces building materials-maybe a local quarry or local cabinet maker? If so, consider buying from them.

7) Building With Wood

You can have a sustainable home and still have it filled with the lovely grain of wood-not all wood comes from destructive clear-cuts.

There are numerous flooring manufacturers who are actually reclaiming wood from old buildings that are about to be demolished, they take this old wood and re-finish it into fabulous new floors. Talk about recycling at its best- You get the beautiful time worn wood flooring and save a ton of trees at the same time!

Wood products such as Bamboo and Cork are also extremely sustainable and environmentally friendly, as they are fast growing products that can be sustainably harvested with little environmental damage.

8) Make the World a Better Place

It seems a bit silly and too 'feel good' , but don't underestimate your actions toward sustainability. The bragging rights alone are enough to make some people become sustainable- hey, guess how much I saved on my energy bill last month..? OR Allergies? No, we don't have that problem in my home...

Then there is the example that we are setting for our children and our grandchildren. It is imperative to lead by example, and the only way that future generations are going to know how to live sustainably is by example.

Making the world a better place may sound a bit romantic and unattainable, but that is what you do every time you purchase sustainable materials.

9) Improved Resale Value

There is a another big incentive to using sustainable building materials, beyond the money that we can save and the decreased carbon footprint, our homes resale value and speed of sale can actually be improved.

One recent study stated that a home that employed third-party certifications for sustainability sold for 8 percent more on average than a similar non-certified home.

While we may not want to pursue complete green certification for our home, there is still a bragging factor for realtors who can show potential buyers all the money-saving sustainable materials that are in the home.

10) Many Styles in Sustainability

Whether your design tastes veer towards modern minimalism or rustic country -you can have a sustainable home that meets your personal design style.

Reclaimed wood beams can be left exposed for a rustic country feel. For a more modern appeal, try polished cement floors that are long-lasting and environmentally friendly. Just because you care about the world around you, doesn't mean that you have to give up your personal design aesthetic.

Do the best for both worlds-yours and the natural world around you- by styling your own personal oasis with sustainable building materials.

There you have it! Sustainable building materials save you money, make your home longer-lasting, make your home more valuable, and lessen harmful environmental impacts.

Reduce your carbon footprint by buying sustainably! Start by taking baby steps by simply changing out your light bulbs for more efficient ones, or look for locally-made home goods and materials to use in your home. Every little bit counts!

What do you do to make your home more sustainable?

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10 Reasons You Should Use Sustainable Building Materials - Freshome.com

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Do you really know the true definition of sustainability? It is a trendy word that is often tossed about, but the real definition may be lost at times. Merriam Webster dictionary refers to the meaning of sustainable as, able to be used without being used up or destroyed; methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources; able to last for a very long time.

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Defining sustainable construction "Sustainability" is one of the world's most talked about but least understood words. Its meaning is often clouded by differing interpretations and by a tendency for the subject to be treated superficially.

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This website has a great list of sustainable resources we could use to build the barn and it's LOCAL.

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Information regarding things to think of before building the barn.

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Information regarding things to think of before building the barn.

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A well-designed and constructed barn can be the centerpiece of a sustainable horse farm. Whether you plan on hiring an architect to custom design your barn or want a pre-designed kit style barn,...

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3D of a sustainable barn, inside and out.

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3D of a sustainable barn, inside and out.

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Barn and Bread Sustainable Design Centre

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Barn and Bread is the proposed conversion of a disused Grade II Listed barn into a Sustainable Design Centre in Watford, near London. The scheme would include educational space, living space and accommodation for guest designers.

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Sustainable Barn Conversion in Bath - Hart Design & Construction, Bath

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A video tour of Hart Design and Construction's latest major project. A contemporary barn conversion with low environmental impact. Using both modern and traditional building methods to create a sustainable home with large open spaces.

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Should be able to find and research good material for the barn construction here.

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The leading brands of the future will be sustainable brands. Building them takes a new kind of thinking, a new group of collaborations, and a new set of tools. Find them at SB London. Connect with Sustainability Executives, Brand Strategists, and Design & Innovation Leaders as SB London convenes to drive innovation that leads to enhanced business and brand value.

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boys check out this barn.