Three bad-mouthed building materials you won't believe are really eco-friendly

(BPT) - More homeowners are keeping Mother Nature in mind when undertaking a renovation, addition or new construction. Theyre seeking building practices and materials that are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. If youre among these groups, you may choose to avoid construction materials youve come to think of as not green.

The truth, however, is that some maligned materials are actually more environmentally safe than alternatives that may seem more natural. Here are three popular materials that are greener than you may think:

Plastic pipe

You would probably have a hard time thinking of a material more universally reviled as bad for the environment than plastic. While its true that plastic doesnt break down in landfills, certain types of plastics, when used correctly and in the right applications, are eco-friendly thanks to their sheer durability. Theyll last longer, which requires less consumption of other materials and resources to manufacture replacements, and theyll reduce the waste stream.

PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipe is a good example. Used in hot- and cold-water plumbing, residential fire sprinkler systems and radiant floor-heating systems, PEX is actually a better option than copper, another material commonly used for the same applications.

The processes used for mining and refining copper, and turning it into pipe, consume a great deal of natural resources, says Dale Stroud, senior director of offerings/marketing for Uponor North America, which uses PEX in its plumbing, heating and residential fire sprinkler systems. Like all metal, it will eventually corrode and wear out. Replacing it can be costly and labor-intensive, and discarded piping is not always recyclable.

PEX, however, is created through less energy-intensive means, and its durability ensures that it will virtually never wear out. Its use in new construction or renovation pretty much ensures the homeowner will never have to replace the product, meaning fewer resources consumed for repair, removal, reinstallation and disposal of discarded piping.

PEX piping delivers clean, healthy water for household uses, including drinking, cooking and bathing, and can even help conserve water and energy compared to leaky, less-efficient metal pipes. When used in radiant floor heating and cooling systems, PEX is energy-efficient, and improves the overall temperature comfort of a home or a commercial building.

While PEX is made from crude oil and natural gas, if you consider alternative uses of those resources, you might conclude that a durable use (such as pipe) is better for the environment than single-use applications like gasoline or diesel fuel for vehicle engines that contribute to greenhouse gases, Stroud says. To learn more about PEX, visit http://www.uponor-usa.com.

Vinyl siding

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Three bad-mouthed building materials you won't believe are really eco-friendly