Written by Morgan Kaenzig de Denus, AMAST Content

It is no surprise that a third of all municipal waste in the United States consists of paper, given that the average American uses more than 680 pounds of paper products annually. Since the start of human civilization, the global tree population has fallen by 46%, and an average of 15 billion trees are cut down per year, with 35% of those 15 billion trees used by the paper industries. Instead of sending paper waste to the landfill, it can be recycled and used in papercrete.

What Is Papercrete?

Papercrete consists of a mixture of…

Written by Morgan Kaenzig de Denus, AMAST Content

While most glass is static, smart glass allows glass to become multifunctional. Smart glass, also called light control glass (LCG), privacy glass, switchable glass, dynamic glass, or smart-tint glass, can appear opaque, translucent, or transparent. As a result, buildings that use smart glass can effectively balance the occupants’ desires for natural light, views, an open floor plan, energy conservation, and privacy.

What Are the Different Types of Smart Glass?

There are two main types of smart glass: active smart glass and passive smart glass. …

Written by Morgan Kaenzig de Denus, AMAST Content

For years, asphalt shingles have been a popular roofing choice. They are a cost-effective, fire-resistant, and easy-to-install roofing option. Unfortunately, asphalt shingles are not very sustainable, and asphalt shingle roofs generally last only twelve to twenty years. As a result, over 11 million tons of asphalt shingle scraps are generated each year, and these discarded asphalt shingles may take up to four hundred years to break down. Fortunately, there are several eco-friendly alternatives to asphalt shingles.

Metal Roofs

Metal is an excellent alternative to asphalt. Most metal roofs are made from recycled metal, and…

Written by Morgan Kaenzig de Denus, AMAST Content

High-quality insulation can reduce heating and cooling costs by 20% and reduce CO2 emissions by 780 million tons. Properly installed insulation can help prevent air from entering and leaving a building, which helps buildings stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A properly insulated building will save 600 times more energy than using compact fluorescent lights, Energy Star appliances, and Energy Star windows combined will save.

Today, fiberglass insulation is a popular choice. However, fiberglass insulation contains hazardous fibers and is not very eco-friendly. …

Written by Morgan Kaenzig de Denus

The components for prefabricated homes are constructed in a factory before being transported to the construction site where they are assembled. This differs from stick-built homes. Contrary to popular belief, prefabricated homes vary in size, type, quality, and style. They are also affordable, customizable, durable, and energy efficient. People in the United States are starting to recognize the many benefits of prefabricated homes, and they are gaining popularity.

What Are the Different Types of Prefabricated Construction?

Manufactured Homes
Manufactured homes are built entirely off-site on a steel frame. They are then transported to the construction site and set on a permanent foundation. Manufactured…

Written by Morgan Kaenzig de Denus, AMAST Content

Brick is one of the oldest known building materials. For thousands of years, people have been building everything from houses to bridges to roads out of brick. Today, a wide variety of bricks are available, each with different qualities that make them better suited for use in different projects.

Different Types of Bricks

Burnt Clay Bricks
Burnt clay bricks are probably what come to mind when you think of bricks, as they are most commonly used in construction. There are different classes of burnt clay bricks, each with different strengths, appearances, and shapes.

First-Class Bricks
First-class bricks…

By Morgan Kaenzig de Denus, AMAST Content

Green roofs — also known as eco-roofs, living roofs, or vegetative roofs — are becoming more and more popular in the United States, and with good reason. Installing a vegetative roof can provide many benefits, from lessening the burden on storm drainage systems to giving shelter to migrating birds to improving air quality.

What Are Green Roofs?

Green roofs are covered with vegetation and a lightweight growing medium. Most living roofs have a protective membrane that serves as a root barrier between the roof’s membrane and the drainage system. The drainage mat will catch any excess water…

Written by Morgan Kaenzig de Denus, AMAST Content

The construction industry is constantly changing. The introduction of new techniques, materials, and technology has allowed architects, engineers, and builders to push the boundaries and create innovative structures and buildings. In 1853, François Coignet built the world’s first iron-reinforced concrete structure, and in 1855, the Bessemer Method provided an efficient way of creating steel. By the twentieth century, the use of glass, steel, and reinforced concrete in structures exploded in popularity. Today, carbon fiber is on the rise.

What Is Carbon Fiber?

Carbon fiber consists of thin strands of carbon atoms that are bound in a…