With new societal trends popping up what seems like every day, it’s often hard to keep up. I mean... We get it, Bridgette; we understand you think quinoa is delicious and we should totally try it, but not all of us have it as together as you!** One trend we are behind though and hope is here to stay is sustainability/green living. It’s 2017, and it’s about time we realized our actions have consequences and affect more than ourselves; they also affect the Earth on which we live and future generations to come. While it may seem overwhelming to help enact change and make your mark, we’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that difficult. There are a number of things you can do at home to positively affect the environment. Besides recycling, electing your bike over your car, and trying to minimize water usage, you can also choose concrete when deciding on a flooring material for your home or business. Concrete is sustainable in a number of ways, so in order for you to better know all your options when it comes to green living, we’re going to explain in what ways concrete qualifies as green living option.
Resource Efficiency
Concrete is comprised of water, aggregates, and cement. The cement in that concrete mixture is predominantly limestone, the most abundant material on Earth, so rather than using materials that are considered to be scarce, concrete makes us of what’s most abundant on Earth.
Locally Produced
When the above ingredients are to be combined, the mixing usually takes place very near the building site. This helps to reduce the emissions and energy used in the transportation process, so while other materials sometimes require extensive movement to reach their final destination, concrete can be mixed on site helping to reduce the impact on the environment.
Durability
As you well know, sustainability entails being long-lasting, and because concrete can last for a number of years, it fits this definition to a t. Concrete can outlast other building materials upwards of two to three times their lifespan, so when looking for a green flooring option, concrete should be your go-to.
Energy Efficient
Due to its thermal mass, concrete is considered to be extremely energy efficient. Its ability to absorb and retain heat helps to significantly reduce the amount of energy used in the home and thus a money saver as well!
Minimal Waste
When concrete is mixed for a project, the amount produced is specific to the task at hand, so there is always minimal waste involved. After the concrete has served its original purpose, it can then be crushed and used as aggregate in another mixture. This recycling process helps to extend concrete’s lifespan even further and what helps to qualify it as a sustainable building material.
Easy To Clean & Easy On The Environment
Unlike other flooring materials who require heavy maintenance to achieve the aesthetic look they desire, concrete floors requires no stripping or waxing, so the number of contaminants released into the environment from this process, are zero. In addition, concrete is easy to clean, so no harsh cleaning products are necessary to keep the floors in excellent condition.
What Makes Concrete The Right Choice?
When it comes to choosing the right flooring material for your home or business, there are a number of different options available to you. Although none are necessarily right or wrong, some are definitely superior to others, concrete of course being one of those. There are a number of different reasons why this is the case; its sustainability is simply the one highlighted today.
Sustainability is something we should all strive for, and while it isn’t as easy for all of us to live with this in mind as it is for Bridgette, choosing concrete helps makes it easy. By choosing concrete, you choose Earth!
Wanting to learn more about concrete’s sustainability? Click here and here to find out more!
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There are so many creative and custom options for finishing concrete, but first and foremost important is the concrete itself. At Custom Concrete Creations we have state of the art equipment and a properly trained team with years of experience. Custom Concrete Creations is a premier contractor serving the Omaha area as well at the Midwest. Give us a call or send us an email for your custom concrete finishing needs today!
**Quinoa actually is delicious and you really should try it! #healthyliving