The Ecology of Building Materials

2nd edition. Fully updated to focus in climate change issues, with technical data and methods for reusing and recycling materials.

The Ecology of Building Materials explores key questions surrounding sustainability of building materials. It provides technical data to enable design and building professionals to choose the most appropriate materials for a project: those that are least polluting, most energy efficient, and from sustainable sources. The book also gives information and guidance on a wide range of issues such as recycling, detailing for increased durability and Life Cycle Analysis. Berge’s book, translated from the Norwegian by Chris Butters and Filip Henley, offers safe and environmentally friendly material options. It provides an essential and easy-to-use reference guide to this complex subject for the building industry professional. New to this edition:• Thorough exploration of building materials in relation to climate change issues• Extensive updating of basic data, as well as the introduction of a wide range of new materials• Methods for recycling and reuse of materials• More information on the interaction between materials and the indoor environment, ventilation and energy use• Full colour text and user-friendly larger format Bjørn Berge is a practicing architect, researcher and lecturer. Since the 1970s, he has written several books on building ecology for the Scandinavian public. He is one of the founders of Gaia Architects who have developed a wide range of pioneering techniques in sustainable building.

Section 1: Environmental Profiles and Criteria for Assessment; Resources, Pollution, Local production and the human ecological aspect, The chemical and physical properties of building materials; Section 2: Raw Materials and Basic Materials; Water and Air, Minerals, Stone, Soil materials, Fossil oils, Plants, Materials of animal origin, Industrial by-products; Section 3: Building Materials; Structural materials, Climatic materials, Surface materials, Windows, doors and stairs, Fixings and connections, 18. Paint, varnish, stain and wax, Impregnating agents and how to avoid them