Brick outpolled seven different common cladding materials for sustainability according to a major building industry survey.

The Sustainability Survey* commissioned by Ibstock Brick, revealed that long life, low maintenance and re-usability were major reasons that brick was selected over materials like timber, render and PVC-u. 94% of architects also said that sustainability of materials was important or very important in their work.

“Overall, the survey confirms that Ibstock’s long commitment to sustainability in brick manufacture matches architects’ views on the main sustainability issues,” comments Ibstock Marketing Manager, Andrew Halstead Smith.

Five major sectors including architects, supply chain and builders at different levels were surveyed. Questions included how they viewed sustainability in the industry and the effects on their business.

The sustainability of materials was a key issue, covering 9 factors, including long life, re-usability, low maintenance requirements and aesthetics, from 7 different cladding materials. Brick came top or second in most of the categories - better than any other material.

Not as many architects (73%) said they had written sustainability policies as main contractors (89%), for example. Despite this, architects were considered to be the main force behind sustainability in the building industry and were more interested (76%) in a supplier’s sustainability credentials, than the industry average (67%).

Architects could offer a wide variety of definitions of sustainability, from using resources prudently and minimising building impact on the environment to providing a healthy environment for a building’s occupants. With main contractors, architects shared the best and most complete understanding of the issues at stake.

A small carbon footprint and energy efficiency were the most popular named issues amongst architects, followed closely by waste and water recycling, locally sourced materials and CO2 reduction - all at or around 90%. However, architects were less worried about packaging waste (c. 50%), or increased use of natural materials (60%) and reducing raw material cost was around 30%.

Waste recycling was more important to other respondents such as housebuilders and main contractors, whereas small general builders were more concerned with raw material costs and locally sourced materials than almost any other group.

*The Ibstock Sustainability Survey April – May 2007, included qualitative and quantitative research amongst more than 250 building industry professionals, with main groups being architects, builders' merchants, main contractors, housebuilders and general jobbing builders.

Email: nicola.poyser@iassmarts.com
 

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News Categories : Brick manufacture