Green Coatings Encasement & Circular Economy
Old Cottonmill Building Before and After Conservation and Preservation
I enthusiastically always push for protecting the environment, which we are passing down to our children and to future generations. One of the simplest ways I do is promoting how to minimize the waste we create. This also ties into a Circular Economy and keeping buildings in use for as long as possible.
Since the late 18th century and rapid development of industry, we have had the mentality of take, make and throw away. Now we have entered into an age where precious natural resources are dwindling, and have become more expensive and environmentally costly to extract. Also the generation, transportation and storage of unwanted waste has hit a critical tipping point. Overflowing landfills that take up valuable landscape and outgas harmful C02, contributing to global warming/climate change, have become the worldwide norm.
Buildings are assets that need to be protected and rejuvenated, not removed and replaced. This is especially true of older buildings that can be reintroduced into the real estate markets. Many buildings have been misjudged on their service life. These same buildings can be repaired and restored often making them better than new.
This is especially true with specific building components such as roofing. The life span of a roof in the past has been often incorrectly estimated due to problems caused by leaks, which result in full tear off and replacement. An over coating/encasement of the surface would have been the proper way to restore and extend its service life. Encasement with the right Green Coatings is sustainable and renewable, therefore never needing replacement.
Personally, I take much pleasure in restoring older buildings that are often abandoned. I get a true sense of satisfaction in taking these buildings, which sometimes are giant relics, and rejuvenating them back into service and often making them better than new. Whenever I come across these structures, I can’t help but think, “they don’t make them like this anymore.” Solid and purposeful. Both defensive and functional.
Some of these historic structures have their own unique personalities that add incredible charm to a neighborhood, as well as tell a story of the architects that designed them along with the people and businesses that occupied them. Many of these older buildings have served as manufacturing facilities that became outdated because the products they produced are obsolete. They are often abandoned and quickly fall into disrepair through neglect. In the right hands, these same environmentally stressed properties can quickly be repaired, restored and repurposed to once again serve the surrounding communities.
My first step into one of these hulking structures is always exciting – to see so much potential. It’s as though the building speaks to me revealing both its past and telling me how it can be brought back to life. It says that I’ve been dormant and now ready for a rebirth. It almost cries out that it has been slightly neglected and with some attention can once again be of great service. Housing and protecting all who enter while saving on natural resources and energy that would be needed to replace it. This even includes buildings that contain hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead-based paint, PCBs, etc. Yes, even these potentially harmful building materials can be rendered safe by simply sealing them behind Green Coatings Encasement.
For all of us to be part of a circular economy, we need to keep resources in use for as long as possible. To learn more on how you can you can contribute through encasement, check out www.encasement.com or send a description of your project to service@encasement.com.
