Sustainable homes have been growing in popularity in recent years, which has largely been the result of a wider awareness of the importance of being both environmentally conscious and environmentally friendly, especially when it comes to sustainable building design. But what exactly do we mean when we talk about sustainable houses?

What is a sustainable house?

A sustainable house is any home that has been constructed with environmental sustainability in mind. While the general definition is quite broad, it often includes ensuring the home is constructed using sustainable materials, as well as built to be environmentally conscious once occupied. 

A common misconception is that a sustainable house is built using only the simplest and smallest amount of material possible, conjuring up images of homes built ‘off the grid’ built with nothing more than wood and some nails. The reality could not be further from the truth.

While the importance of being environmentally conscious has grown exponentially over the years over concerns around global impact and our general negative impact to our planet, the good news is it has prompted many in the construction industry to focus more on sustainable building design. The result? Modern homes that take advantage of all the great new ways to ensure the homes of our future are built with sustainability in mind. 

 

What are sustainable houses made of?

While sustainable houses can be made from some of the same materials used to build traditional houses, such as concrete, wood and masonry, the key difference is that the materials used come from sustainable sources.

For those looking to build their own sustainable home, it’s important to consider not just the end result, but the construction process itself. This includes an understanding of the materials being used, as well as where they are sourced from. 

One such way luxury property developers promote sustainable building is through ensuring the materials used are environmentally friendly. Here at Aspire Luxury Properties, we use non-carcinogenic building materials to ensure our construction is as sustainable and environmentally conscious as possible. We also ensure our most common materials, such as timber, come from sustainable sources, with almost all of our timber coming from sustainable woodlands in Sweden. 

What features does a sustainable house have?

One of the great things about sustainable houses is the number of features homeowners can choose from to make their home more environmentally friendly, such as through the use of solar panels, smart technology and more green spaces.

 

• Solar Panels – Solar panels are a common choice for those looking to lower their carbon footprint, as the energy source is naturally one that’s green and environmentally friendly. Not only can they ensure you use less energy, but they can naturally also help bring your energy bills down as a result.

 

• Smart technology – While nature provides us with ways to make our homes more sustainable, advances in technology have also allowed us to be more environmentally conscious through the use of smart technology. For example, a sustainable home with smart technology can help automate the amount of water and electricity you use, ensuring you only use exactly what you need. 

 

• Green Spaces – When it comes to luxury homes, many come with a large amount of green spaces that can be utilised to help the environment, something that has become even more important as a result of Coronavirus. From planting trees and vegetable patches, rewilding areas of your garden, creating a living wall or sedum roof – having your very own green space allows you to carve your own space to help the planet and support the delicate ecosystem around it. 

 

All of these features help ensure homes remain sustainable long after they’ve been constructed. This is evident in our own sustainable approach here at Aspire Luxury Properties, with all our luxury properties achieving either an A or B EPC rating. 

Why are sustainable houses important?

Sustainable homes are more about than just saving on your energy bills, as they also help better preserve our planet’s natural resources and lead to a more environmentally friendly place for all of us.

If you’re passionate about the environment like us and want help crafting your dream home that looks great but also cares for the environment, why not get in touch with our team today to find out more about our bespoke luxury property developments?