Sustainability can be promoted in building projects by making better decisions at every stage, from design and material selection to construction, energy use and long-term maintenance.
For homeowners, this does not necessarily mean building an eco-home or investing in every available renewable technology. Practical improvements such as better insulation, efficient glazing, reduced waste, durable materials and well-planned layouts can all make an extension, renovation or new build more sustainable.
The most effective approach is to consider the whole property rather than treating each improvement as a separate decision.