Concrete Marion

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Concrete Marion

What Makes Concrete Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly?

It’s difficult to overlook the different ways concrete is used in society. Concrete in Marion plays a vital role in many different parts of your daily life as well as in a functioning society. The benefits to the use of concrete in society is immense; it is used to build schools, apartment blocks, hospitals, tunnels, bridges, dams, pavements, sewage systems, roads and much more. Concrete is one of the most man-made materials in the world and about twice as much concrete is used than other building materials, including steel, wood, aluminum and plastic. In terms of the price, effectiveness and performance, none of the other building materials can compete.

Environmental Benefits

One of the things that most people aren’t aware of is the many environmental benefits of using concrete. It has strength durability and amazing thermal mass that is a prime requirement of eco-buildings. In today’s world of sustainability and eco-friendly processes, concrete is one of the most desirable materials used to develop energy-efficient buildings.

Thermal Mass

One of the primary goals in the construction of buildings is to participate in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that often occur in the building sector. When using concrete Marion contractors are using an effective solution for reducing greenhouse gases and it increases the energy performance, particularly in heating and cooling energy. The high thermal mass in concrete helps to save energy and produce a better, healthier indoor climate for the building occupants. When solar radiation is used, concrete is capable of absorbing a large portion of the heat, which in turn helps to decrease the energy consumption and maintain a comfortable environmental temperature.

The Albedo Effect

Concrete has extremely high reflective qualities (albedo), especially when used in building walls and/or pavements. This means there is more light reflected in these areas and less heat that is absorbed, with the ultimate result being cooler temperatures. One of the biggest concerns in large cities is urban heat island effect, which basically means the temperatures in cities are typically a few degrees higher than in the surrounding rural areas. When concrete is the primary material used in buildings it helps to reduce the urban heat island effect; ultimately reducing the energy required for air conditioning.

Eco-Friendly Characteristics of Concrete

Not only is concrete good for the environment, but it also has a variety of eco-friendly characteristics, including:
  • Concrete in Marion is produced locally from natural resources.
  • When a concrete building or pavement has reached the end of its life span, the concrete can be recycled.
  • The light color of concrete reflects more light after dark, which reduces the energy costs for lighting.
  • Concrete can be made from reclaimed materials that may have otherwise ended up in a landfill.
  • The recycled materials in concrete can help to reduce CO2 emissions.
  • Concrete roofs are strong enough to support green landscaping, as well as help to reduce water runoff and reduce the heat island effect.
Concrete in Marion is continually being recognized for the strong environmental benefits it provides when used in sustainable developments. Building green includes taking the steps necessary to reduce waste from the products used, using recycled, local and non-toxic alternative materials; all of which are achievable when building with concrete.
To learn more information about how you can utilize the eco-friendly benefits of concrete for your next building project, contact Kelly Concrete Co.
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