Plenty of work has been done over the last few years to make the construction of necessary buildings more sustainable. That includes taking a look at the construction materials themselves. There are different definitions of sustainability in terms of construction materials. It could refer to products that are locally sourced, how resilient a product is, or how much energy it takes to produce it.

Some professionals are looking at material sustainability as a concept that considers all the energy required to extract a material, produce it, and transport it. They also look at its appropriateness for the environment, the rate at which it degrades, and how often it needs to be replaced. Some construction professionals are also moving towards sustainability by incorporating recycled materials. Read on for a few examples of sustainable materials!

Bamboo Could Dominate the Construction Trades

Bamboo is a construction material with a lot of potential. It can be used in walls, flooring, or furniture, and its benefit is that it is extremely durable and strong. It has a greater compressive strength than even bricks or concrete. Its high strength-to-weight ratio means that it is relatively lightweight and takes less energy to transport than many other materials. 

Bamboo is a perennial grass and can be found on several continents. Currently, it is mostly grown in South America and Asia. As a grass, its extremely quick rate of self-generation helps its sustainability. It continues to spread and grow without the need to replant it after harvesting it. Professionals with a career in construction should be aware of one potential downside to using bamboo: it requires treatment to make it resistant to insects and rotting. 

Sheep’s Wool Is A Natural Construction Material 

Sheep’s wool is a material that has been used for all kinds of things for hundreds of years. These days, it can still be beneficial for the construction industry. Sheep’s wool is naturally insulating. And, while it’ll still need extra treatment to make it properly safe with regards to fire risks, it is a material with a naturally high ignition temperature. As a result, it can be an energy-efficient insulator used in walls, ceilings, and attics. 

One of the sustainable benefits of sheep’s wool is that it has similar properties to mineral wool or glass wool but requires less energy to produce. It is, of course, naturally regenerating. One of the potential downsides to using this material is that it requires treatment to prevent the infiltration of insects and fungi. 

Cork Doesn’t Have a Significant Environmental Impact 

Cork comes from the tree bark of the cork oak. After construction school, professionals can use this material as flooring or sub-flooring. It’s very flexible and resilient, a good thermal insulator, and efficient at absorbing noises and shocks, making it an effective construction material. 

The benefit of this material is that it’s sourced entirely from natural sources. The cork oak will continue to grow and reproduce the material after it is extracted from it, making it a sustainable resource to use within the construction industry. 

Do you want to make your entry into the construction trades? 

Contact North American Trade Schools for more information! 

However, starting a business is far from simple. Even the best construction worker in the world will need to conduct market research, have a basic understanding of finance and accounting, and learn about law and marketing.

Read on to find out more about what it takes to start your own business after construction training.

Step 1: Do Your Research

Before even thinking about launching your own business, you will need to conduct in-depth market research to establish demand and rates. Is there demand for another construction business in your area? How much are people paying on average for typical projects?

If you have any friends or acquaintances working in the industry, make sure to ask them for any insights. You could also do some research online and use social media to identify your main competitors, or even conduct surveys and organize small focus groups.

Use this research to form your business plan and identify your unique selling point (USP). What can you offer customers that no one else can? Is it a better price point? Or expertise in one particular area? Whatever it is, use it to your advantage in a career in construction.

Step 2: Prepare an In-Depth Business Plan for Your Career in Construction

Once you’ve done your research, you’re ready to write your business plan. Make it as detailed as possible,marking out your goals for each month and including estimated annual turnover and gross profits. This will be particularly useful if you need to apply for funding from a financial institution.

This should also give you an idea of how much money you’ll need to get started. After studying at construction school, you should have a good idea of all the tools and equipment you’ll need to work as an independent construction worker.

Calculate how much you’ll need to invest in these, as well as in vehicles, marketing, and software. It can take a while for any new business to start making money, so make sure you have a cushion for the first few months.

You’ll also need to decide who you want to work for. Do you want to work for residential property owners or businesses? Are you looking for small jobs or bigger, long-term projects? As well as this, how many staff will you need to hire? Or will you choose to work with contractors? Thinking about these things early on will help you form a clearer picture in your mind of what your business will look like, and what you need to do to get it off the ground.

Step 3: Check the Paperwork

As with any new business, you will need to make sure that you’ve completed all of the necessary paperwork correctly. You will need to register your business for an EIN, and have all the right licenses and permits. You will also need to get insurance to protect yourself and your business.

If you’re concerned about legalities or taxes, it might be a good idea to hire a lawyer or an accountant. You could be the best construction worker in the world, but if you can’t take care of the administration of your business, it won’t go far!

Do you want to learn more about construction trades?

Contact North American Trade Schools for more information!