SMART BUILDING MATERIALS
OVERVIEW
Background: In the
U.S., out of roughly 1.5 million new homes built each year, 90 percent
are framed with wood. In addition, 70 percent of the material used in
framing the average home (i.e., walls, roofs, floors) comprises of wood1.
Consequently, over the past ten years, efforts have increased to reduce
the rate of consumption of our nation’s timberlands by developing
building materials that offer an alternative to the traditional building
materials used in wall, roof, and floor systems. In recent years as the
supply of older virgin wood stock has dwindled, building material
suppliers have sought the development of a new generation of stronger,
light weight synthetic materials. These technological developments in
building materials not only helps to reduce the material and
environmental cost associated with a typical construction project, but
will help to reduce the maintenance cost of a building over its entire
life cycle.
Emerging
Technologies: Composite materials, such as Fiber Reinforced
Materials and Concrete, are capable of satisfying many of the same
structural characteristics associated with wood and cement and are
becoming more prevalent in the construction industry. Materials such as
plastic or cement are combined with wood, fiberglass, steel, or other
forms of organic plant fiber material to create stronger, lightweight
composite materials2. These materials are affordable and more
durable and resilient to the harsh effects of the environment, then the
traditional materials like wood, steel and cement. Composite materials
have been used for many years to renovate and maintain much of our
nation’s infrastructure (i.e., bridges and major landmarks). However,
recent advances in the development of composite materials now permit
them to be used as a viable substitute in the construction of new
buildings.
Smart window technologies
have advanced significantly over the past 30– 40 years, and suppliers
are poised to introduce new window products to the marketplace. Window
technologies made up of suspended particle devices (SPD), capable of
functioning like a “light valve” in controlling the amount of light able
to pass through a window are now being produced3. SPD is a
thin film coating laminated between two glass layers. When electricity
is applied to this film coating, the light properties of the window vary
allowing either more or less light to pass through the window. SPD
window technology is both practical and affordable, and through
aftermarket vendors can be retrofitted to existing buildings. In
addition to its affordability, these windows offer energy efficient,
cost-saving benefits over the life cycle of the building.
Photovoltaic (PV) roofing materials or “Solar Shingles” are now being
used in homes as an alternative to PV modules. PV modules make use of
the photovoltaic process in generating electricity from the sun. These
roofing materials typically replace the existing tile roofs and are
often more attractive then many other PV module systems. While the
initial cost of these systems can be quite high, the operating cost over
the life cycle of the building structure can result in a significant
drop in energy and maintenance cost4.
Benefits: Clearly the conservation of our nation’s natural
resources is a driving force behind finding new applications for these
emerging technologies. As the development of these smart building
materials continue and their use become more widely accepted, the
economic, social and environmental impact of these materials will
intensify. About a 10 percent rate of reduction in the use of national
timberland resources is expected over next 10-15 years.
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