Sat, 09 May 2026 21:45:23 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4874#Comment_4874 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4874#Comment_4874 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 14:53:21 +0100 Mike George
My question is this? Which petrochemical products are acceptable for use in the building industry. In particular, is it okay to use insulation derived from oil while condemning the use of upvc windows? Are there other oil based products which are acceptable? Has anyone considered a ranking order of 'plastic' no-no's

My opinion is that I would much prefer to use naturally derived products, not oil based ones. However the reality is that these are often unaffordable or impractical in use. Hence, I use them.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4876#Comment_4876 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4876#Comment_4876 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:03:53 +0100 Johan
I guess I should be the first for this one!! ;)

The starting point must be to try not to use oil based product, but if you don't have a choice use them. In the case of insulation there are plenty of choice which isn't oil based anyway! In a new build I can't see any particular reason you would need to use many plastic products (soil pipes being one exception).]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4887#Comment_4887 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4887#Comment_4887 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 20:05:07 +0100 Dominic Cooney The interesting thing is that all that is left has turned to soil, otherwise is a permanent hard material like stone or tile. the resulting debris can be easily sorted into re-usable materials, or soil/sand/hardcore to go on the garden/landscaping (excluding the occasional bit of glass or rusty metal).
The whole place can be re-instated as a useful house with the minimum of environmental impact.
It has certainly made me think about what happens to the materials we choose, in a less than ideal situation, however many years down the line it is.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4894#Comment_4894 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4894#Comment_4894 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 21:35:45 +0100 Chris Wardle
We must have installed hundreds of millions of uPVC windows in the UK alone. Where will they all go when they come out? Contrary to what the public think, they don't last forever. I've just taken down a 10 year old uPVC conservatory and all the frames were full of water at the bottom and none of the handles operated properly. Landfill sites full of the things is what we'll have.

Thinking ahead, I think the alternatives to oil based products are going to become more popular as we pass Peak Oil because they will become relatively more expensive compared to low embodied energy products.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4896#Comment_4896 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4896#Comment_4896 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 22:11:23 +0100 biffvernon https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4898#Comment_4898 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=490&Focus=4898#Comment_4898 Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:26:19 +0100 Jeff Norton (NZ) Most of the older houses use energy inefficiently and are designed to use lots of fossil fuels to reach comfort levels, if by using some oil based insulation to reduce energy consumption then I see it as a good use of oil.
I believe we have to use oil wisely to build infrastructures to create a softer landing post peal oil ( wind mills, hydro dams, pv panels for electricity based economy for instance)!]]>