building innovation
There has been an increasing amount of attention directed towards high-quality and sustainable home improvement materials. This provides a great return on investment, either through LEED points or energy savings/returns, for example. Green products also offer a reduced CO2 footprint, and some products can even cost fewer labor fees to install.
TESLA SOLAR TILES
Image courtesy of Tesla.
Who hasn’t heard of Tesla Solar Roof tiles yet? They are available in Canada since 2018.
Tesla claims that Solar Roof tiles will be as affordable, if not cheaper, than regular roofing materials. At approximately $21.85 per square foot, these roof tiles are a competitive alternative to regular roofing materials (which cost roughly $24.50 per square foot).
A solar roof is a step towards home sustainability and self-sufficiency. It allows homeowners to get off the grid, produce their own green energy, and save money. In addition, Tesla claims that these roof tiles are more durable than any existing hard roof tiles on the market.
LAMINATED TIMBER
Image of a Cross Laminated Timber Panel courtesy of APA - The Engineered Wood Association.
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is constructed by stacking and gluing 3 to 7 layers of kiln-dried lumber boards together. Buildings are constructed by stacking the planks in alternating directions for strength.
CLT is most commonly used in commercial buildings. It’s becoming a popular building material for high-rise structures. Although it isn’t a go-to building material for the residential sector just yet it very well could be.
CLT has incredible tensile and compressive strength. It is an eco-friendly alternative to most hardwood products since manufacturers use young trees to produce the planks. CLT structures require less building time since the product comes in large, prefabricated, and sometimes custom planks.
A team of carpenters can build the whole home together. This reduces the home building timeline because a whole team of experts is not needed to construct the home. This may also help keep installation costs down.
Overall, CLT has the same strength as reinforced concrete, but it produces less CO2 emissions overall (wood sequesters carbon instead of producing it).
GRAPHENE PAINT
Graphene is a new addition to the science community as well as the home improvement industry. This material can absorb light and produce electricity. Recent experiments incorporated graphene into paint products to bring us this innovation breakthrough.
Graphene paint was launched in the UK during the spring of 2017. Scientists believe that using the paint on building exteriors can convert solar energy to usable power for home appliances. Some claim that this makes graphene paint extremely environmentally friendly and functional.
Some also claim that graphene paint will improve thermal regulation on the inside of buildings when it is applied to interior walls. This would be a huge energy saver since existing lime-based paint options on the market today cannot do this. Graphene paint will purify the air inside the home since it's made nearly from pure lime.
This new product seems like an incredible addition to the home painting industry!
TERRAZZO / TREND Q
Image Courtesy of Trend Group.
Terrazzo gained its popularity a long time ago and then fell out of style. Recently, terrazzo has had a resurgence in the home improvement industry.
Terrazzo is a solid product made from concrete and chips of pigmented stone or tiles. In recent years, manufacturers have further developed terrazzo products. They have made terrazzo alternatives that are derived from more recycled materials. New options are more earth-friendly than older concrete-based options.
Today, one terrazzo alternative called Trend Q is made with pigmented resin instead of concrete. This is a huge step forward since concrete has a high CO2 footprint. Some Trend Q products also contain close to 70% recycled materials! Homeowners can earn LEED credits with this product.
Trend Q can be made into solid surfaces (such as countertops) or tiles that are perfect for any home. It’s an innovative and custom surface option for homeowners to take advantage of. Trend Q comes in a variety of playful colors, which allows homeowners to showcase their unique styles and tastes!
HEMPCRETE
Image courtesy of Hemp Technologies Collective.
Hempcrete has taken off in the past five years in North America. Today, it serves as a fantastic alternative to fiberglass insulation. Hemp may be new to America and Canada, but it has been used as a building material for centuries around the world in countries such as Japan and France.
Hempcrete is made from lime and hemp. It has the same strength as residential concrete, but it resists cracking under movement. Hempcrete lacks structural stability, but it provides incredible natural insulation. It does not grow mold and it is fireproof, thus making it an incredibly durable building product—especially for those who live in damp environments.
GEOLUXE / PYROLITHIC STONE
Photo courtsey of Geoluxe
Geoluxe is a solid manufactured stone product. It was recently introduced to the market. It looks the same as marble, and even embodies marble’s trademark ‘veins’. However, Geoluxe is more durable than natural marble. It captures the appeal and aesthetic of marble without its drawbacks.
It’s manufactured the same way that marble is naturally produced: using heat, minerals, and pressure. This stone is highly resistant to staining, gouges, scratches, acid, and heat. This makes Geoluxe a great kitchen countertop option for homeowners who love to cook and entertain.