Go green

A major motivator to taking on a self-build project is that you can make your own design decisions and incorporate all the eco elements that are important to you, to create a home that is environmentally sustainable, healthy and cost-effective over the long term

Here are five top ways to be environmentally friendly when building your own house.

Use sustainable building materials Choose materials that are renewable, non-toxic and have low embodied energy, for example bamboo, straw bale and cob are good choices for walls and insulation. Consider recycled materials for flooring and countertops.

Maximise your energy efficiency Invest in energy-efficient systems such as doublepaned windows, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems and LED lighting. Insulate your home well to reduce energy consumption and add solar panels to generate your own electricity.