Built to last or should we look towards the past? Exploring the durability of new-build homes

It’s no secret the reputation of new-build housing is becoming increasingly negative among UK residents. In fact, a 2023 study by the CIOB found that almost a third of people would describe new builds as ‘poor-quality’, with over half of the respondents believing that older homes are of better quality.

What exactly are the reasons behind this belief? In this article, the Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP) explores how the materials used in new builds compare to those of the Victorian era, and the impact of today’s homes on their residents and the environment.

Modern homes have both obvious similarities and stark differences to those of the 19th century. In the Victorian era, houses were built using local materials, due to the ease of transportation. Following the abolishment of the tax on glass and bricks in the 1850s, brick, timber and glass became standard materials in most homes.

In the 21st century, housebuilders are using more plastics in nearly every part of construction, from flooring to insulation, and fittings for applications like pipes, seals, windows, doors and cables, due to the low cost of the material.

Until relatively recently, copper was the material of choice for transporting water and heat. Plastic pipes have unfortunately become more commonplace, despite growing evidence highlighting its adverse health and environmental effects.

Increasing quality concerns around new build houses also bring into question the durability of the materials used, with common issues including cracks and leaky pipes. It’s no surprise residents are moving house more often, to avoid costly maintenance works.

Meanwhile, Victorian properties are more durable, with over a quarter of the British population living in them. Thanks to the traditional building techniques that prioritised quality materials like hand-crafted bricks and copper pipes, these homes have stood the test of time.

With plastics in all areas of the modern home, this unfortunately impacts on the longevity of today’s stock. Not only do plastics deteriorate more quickly than traditional materials, but they have associated fire and health risks, posing a serious threat to human health.

While modern homes excel in incorporating new technologies, appliances and building quality and environmental standards, there remain lessons to be learnt from the past. The average new build home has a lifespan of just 40-60 years, whereas Victorian properties incorporating natural materials have proven to hold for more than 100 years with some TLC. Among the most resilient materials are copper pipes and plated wiring, natural stone, all-wood floors and steel.

One lesson we can take from the past even predates the Victorians – copper has been used to transport water for over 4,000 years. Unlike plastic, it is fire resistant and infinitely recyclable, rendering it a superior and long-lasting material.

For more information on the sustainability credentials of copper, visit: https://www.cuspuk.com/.

Humanscale earns B Corp Certification, reinforcing longstanding leadership in sustainability

Humanscale, the leading designer and manufacturer of innovative high-performance ergonomic products that offer wellness and comfort wherever work happens, today announces it is certified as a B Corporation™ (B Corp™), recognizing the company’s commitment to planet positive manufacturing.

“At Humanscale, we believe that it’s our responsibility to ensure that both people and the planet are better off because we’re here,” said Bob King, Founder and CEO of Humanscale. "We have led the industry in embracing systemic change for multiple decades, from implementing transparency labels on our products and eliminating many of the commonly used Red-List chemicals, to launching the world's first task chair made from reclaimed fishing nets. By putting in the hard work and making tough decisions, we hope to lead the rest of our industry to be more responsible."

Humanscale pursues independent, third-party validated certifications to break through misleading claims about sustainability and create transparency, which is essential to achieve real progress. B Corp Certification means that a company has met B Lab’s rigorous standards for social and environmental impact, made a legal commitment to stakeholder governance, and is demonstrating accountability and transparency by disclosing this record of performance in a public B Corp profile. Humanscale’s additional notable third-party certifications include the Living Product Challenge (LPC), Declare, Health Product Declarations (HPDs), LEVEL®, and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). All Humanscale factories are TRUE® Zero Waste certified and are third-party audited to ensure each one diverts at least 90% of waste away from landfill, the environment, and incineration.

"Humanscale is proud and honored to receive this certification from B Lab and join the esteemed global B Corp community who are taking on the hard work required to be a force for good,” said Jane Abernethy, Chief Sustainability Officer of Humanscale. "It is our hope that Humanscale’s certification will encourage other companies to follow suit in making a real, positive difference for the future of our planet."

Guided by the core philosophy that good design achieves more with less, Humanscale is committed to the health of both consumers and the planet. Humanscale has been recognized as the first manufacturer to receive an International Living Future Institute's Living Product Challenge (LPC)–considered the most advanced sustainability standard for products—as climate, water, and energy positive with 29 certified climate positive products, accounting for 75% of their product sales.

Learn more about Humanscale’s B Corp Certification here.

About Humanscale

Humanscale is the leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance ergonomic products that improve the health and comfort of work life. Through new technology and human-centered design, Humanscale transforms office necessities into minimally elegant, ergonomic tools and furnishings that encourage movement wherever work happens. As a certified B Corporation, Humanscale is recognized for its planet positive manufacturing, which means leaving the world better off, one product at a time. With 29 products certified climate positive by the International Living Future Institute's Living Product Challenge (LPC), Humanscale is committed to making a planet positive impact on the earth as well as our customers, offering award-winning products designed with a focus on function, simplicity and longevity.

Click here for more information on Humanscale and our products.