The Composite Company; Sustainable Building Materials in South Africa

When it comes to sustainable products and building, composite materials are the way of the future. People are increasingly aware of the products they buy and their effect on the environment. This concern leads to a wide range of new materials being made from sustainable sources, including wood, stone, and metals. 

Composite materials combine different elements of the traditional materials used in the construction industry. This helps builders to achieve an appearance most suited to their customers. 

Here at The Composite Company, we pride ourselves on producing and supplying high-quality composite building materials in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and all other major cities in South Africa.

 

Why Are Sustainable Building Materials Important In South Africa?

According to the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), green buildings have six key features: energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste management and recycling, indoor environmental quality, responsible sourcing, and overall design.

Green buildings respect the environment by using fewer resources and avoiding adverse environmental impacts. They are designed so that they can be dismantled or recycled at the end of their useful lives with minimal impact on the environment.

The South African Cape Dutch farmhouses are a great example of how sustainability can work beautifully. The Cape Dutch farmhouses were built from natural materials like clay and timber. The thick walls also made for fantastic insulation keeping your house nice and warm on those cold winter days.

 

Top Sustainable Building Materials 

• Bamboo Composite Decking

When it comes to sustainable decking material, bamboo composite certainly stands out from the crowd. It's one of the most durable and eco-friendly options out there.

Bamboo composite decking is made by mixing recycled wood fibers with recycled plastic and bamboo flour. This creates a durable product that's also eco-friendly. Unlike traditional wooden decking materials, there are no trees harmed in the manufacturing process.

Bamboo composite can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications and commercial use. It can be used as flooring or for decking and other applications such as siding or furniture building. It's also resistant to rotting and decay, making it a very long-lasting material that won't need much maintenance over the years.

 

12 Ways Why Bamboo Composite Decking Is an Excellent and Sustainable Building Material?

Due to its high density, bamboo decking will last much longer than any hardwood or softwood timber decking. It is also insect resistant and will not splinter.

Bamboo decking is a relatively new material made from Bamboo Fibre and recycled plastic bottles. It looks like timber and has the same properties as timber decking, and it has the benefit of being eco-friendly and sustainable.

It quickly replaces natural rainforests in many parts of the world due to its fast growth rate and its ability to be harvested without damaging the environment.

We have put together 12 reasons why Bamboo composite decking is an excellent choice for your next decking project.

Sustainability

Bamboo does not require any irrigation and grows naturally without pesticides or fertilizer. In most cases, Bamboo can be harvested every 3-5 years without damaging the root system beneath the ground. On the other hand, the timber takes 20-100 years to mature before it can be harvested while destroying forests and habitats along the way.

Eco-Friendly

Bamboo composite decking is made from 100 percent recycled products. It is ideal for environmentally conscious homeowners and builders who are looking to use eco-friendly building materials in their projects.

Versatile

Bamboo composite decking comes in various colors and styles that make it versatile enough to complement any outdoor design theme. 

Bamboo composite decking can be installed on patios, porches and verandahs, swimming pools, balconies, and even in playgrounds and gymnasiums or other areas where children play outdoor games.

Durable

Bamboo composite decking has a lifespan of up to 25 years. It can withstand extreme temperatures – both hot and cold – without cracking, bending, or deteriorating. 

This makes it a very durable building material that can be used for many years without requiring maintenance or repair work.

Bamboo Decking Is Green Building Material

Using bamboo decking as a building material can help reduce deforestation and protect the environment. Bamboo plants absorb more carbon dioxide and release more oxygen into the atmosphere than trees.

Bamboo Decking Is Stronger Than Steel

It is one of the most robust materials because of its natural strength and durability. It has a tensile strength (35,000 pounds per square inch) that is 28% greater than mild steel (27,000 psi).

Bamboo Decking Is Low Maintenance

Insects or bacteria do not easily damage bamboo products; they are naturally immune to decay, mold damage, termites, rot, and water damage. Also, Bamboo is resistant to dents and scratches, making it ideal for outdoor use such as patios, walkways, or pool decks.

It's Affordable

Bamboo composite decking will save you money on maintenance costs because it does not require re-staining or sealing like many other types of timber decking do. You can leave it outside all year round with no worries about mold growth or rotting boards!

Strength 

Bamboo composite decking is solid and durable due to the dense composition of the boards. The boards can withstand high traffic areas, won't splinter or warp, and will not rot or become termite damaged.

Cost-Effective 

The installation cost of bamboo composite decking is lower than other materials due to shorter construction time and lower labor costs.

Protective Barrier against Pests 

Due to the unique process used in manufacturing, the boards with a high density also create a protective barrier against pests.

Easy To Install 

Due to the standard size and shape of the boards, they can be easily installed by almost anyone with basic DIY skills. It looks great around pools, patios, and walkways; anywhere you would use timber decking.

Manufacturers claim their bamboo decks are made from 100 percent bamboo fibers, which means no trees are harmed in the manufacturing process. Visit The Composite Company to find the best out of it. 

• Cork Flooring

Cork flooring has been rising over the past few years, and its popularity doesn't look like it'll slow down anytime soon. Cork flooring provides all of the benefits of wood floors without cutting down trees for wood.

• Timbercrete

Timbercrete is a sustainable building material made from recycled timber and concrete waste in Australia. It's an alternative to conventional concrete bricks, with benefits including reduced carbon footprint and up to 70 percent less embodied energy. It can be used for interior and exterior walls, floors, and fences.

• Hemp-Lime Construction

Hemp-lime is a combination of hemp and lime binders that can be used for plastering, construction, insulation, and furnishing homes. The mix is usually made up of hemp hurds (the inner woody core of the plant) and lime binder, but other ingredients could include water and additives to improve the properties of the final product.

• Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is one sustainable option that many architects turn to minimize waste. Reclaimed wood comes from old barns, industrial structures, and demolished houses. This salvaged wood can be reused if appropriately treated, creating a unique look with a lower environmental impact than brand new wood.

There are other alternatives, such as engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber (CLT). 

Made from solid dimensional lumber, CLT offers the structural integrity of traditional lumber without relying on mining resources or fossil fuels for production. It also creates less waste than standard lumber since it uses smaller pieces of wood that would typically go unused.

• Mycelium

If you're looking for an innovative way to insulate your home while reducing waste, mycelium might be just what you need! This material is eco-friendly in several ways: firstly, it's made from agricultural waste like straw and wood chips. 

Secondly, it acts as a natural air filter that helps purify the air inside your home and reduce your heating costs by up to 20%. Finally, mycelium is versatile in both design and function; it can be used as insulation or in furniture or fashion.

 

Bottom Line

Sustainable building materials are crucial to enhance our environment by using products that help reduce energy consumption and save on water and pollution. Being environmentally friendly helps Mother Nature. 

The Composite Company is proud to be an environmentally responsible business with sustainable building materials in South Africa. These are some of the reasons you should use The Composite Company for sustainable building materials. There is no doubt that they have some of the best products on the market. But what matters most is how you put their products to use in your home or business. There's a big difference between using 'the best' and taking action to improve your space. 

So if you want to enjoy a more pleasant and sustainable environment, now is your chance. Speak with an expert today and get started!