Masonry Products

For those of you feeling overwhelmed by the wealth of green building products available, consider bringing your environmental contribution back to basics with the choices you make when building or renovating your new home. Incorporating masonry products such as clay brick, concrete block and natural or manufactured stone into your new home is one of the easiest and most basic green building practices, according to MasonryWorx , Ontario 's leading industry association for masonry suppliers, contractors and manufacturers.

The construction materials that our new homes are built with can have an immense effect on the environment and even the indoor air quality of our homes. Certain materials can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through a process called out-gassing. VOCs have been known to cause discomfort, and in some cases have been linked to more serious health concerns. Masonry products emit few-to-no VOCs and provide a naturally beautiful finish that eliminates the need for paint and other finishes, which could emit VOCs.

In the event of fire, masonry products further protect the environment (and our health) because they do not burn and therefore do not release any toxic emissions when exposed to fire. A masonry-constructed new home is fire resistant and will maintain its structural integrity during a fire.

An emerging trend in green building is considering the distance the products we use have to travel to arrive at our doorstep. More and more of us are buying local ,whether it be the food we eat, the clothes we wear, or even the new home building materials we choose. Ontario 's Greater Horseshoe Area is home to many brick, block and stone manufacturing plants. When buying a new home made of these materials you are buying locally, and taking another step to reducing your carbon footprint.