How to Find Singapore-Made Building and Renovation Materials
Reduce your renovation’s carbon footprint by using locally made products and materials
Renovations involve more than just cement, tiles, plywood and veneers. There are materials that you don’t see and ones you may not know about which can add to your carbon footprint. Before you know it, the renovation that you thought was being done sustainably, actually isn’t.
So, what are ‘greenhouse gas emissions’ and why do we need to worry about them? A greenhouse gas, when it is released into the atmosphere, is capable of trapping and holding heat, and eventually leads to a hotter atmosphere for the planet, which ultimately leads to global warming.
Global warming, which is already measurable, affects sea levels due to the melting of the polar ice caps. This leads to land being submerged, people becoming environmental refugees, agriculture changes and eventually impacts global food availability. There are additional issues like animal extinction, increases in disease etc.
Challenges to building a sustainable future
Challenges to building a sustainable future
Reducing your carbon footprint
Stop flying
So, we want to keep our carbon footprint as small as possible. This is where the concept of flygskam – the Swedish word for ‘flying shame’ – has come from. Some people around the world gave up flying even before the Covid-19 pandemic and travel restrictions took place. Think teen climate activist Greta Thunberg and her train journeys.
Stop flying
So, we want to keep our carbon footprint as small as possible. This is where the concept of flygskam – the Swedish word for ‘flying shame’ – has come from. Some people around the world gave up flying even before the Covid-19 pandemic and travel restrictions took place. Think teen climate activist Greta Thunberg and her train journeys.
Resources
As a small nation that imports majority of its products, we need to think about what materials we use and how far away they come from before beginning our renovation.
The 7 best eco-friendly building materials
The 7 best eco-friendly building materials
Doors
Choose your materials
It is quite obvious that most building products are not made in Singapore. They are however made in neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. You just need to communicate with your contractor before they start purchasing materials.
It is quite obvious that most building products are not made in Singapore. They are however made in neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. You just need to communicate with your contractor before they start purchasing materials.
Expert Tip: Discuss your preference for where your building materials are sourced before you hire your contractor. Many contractors will just use up existing products they have left over from previous jobs, so make sure they know what type of new products you want them to use in advance. Using leftover materials is better for a sustainable footprint since you are reducing waste!
On home ground, you can source timber products and furniture products that are made in Singapore using materials that are either from Singapore or Malaysia.
Made in Singapore, from Singapore materials
Nam Soon Decking uses 100 per cent reclaimed timber – from old Singapore condos and other buildings – to build their reclaimed timber decks. You can reach out to them to see their latest batches of old timber and work with them.
Nam Soon Decking uses 100 per cent reclaimed timber – from old Singapore condos and other buildings – to build their reclaimed timber decks. You can reach out to them to see their latest batches of old timber and work with them.
Blafink is a Singapore furniture company that creates bespoke furniture and cabinetry locally and through sources in Johor Bahru. Blafink does source its materials from a range of countries –particularly for its fabrics – but one third of the fabrics and most of the high density foam and polyester fibre are from Singapore and Malaysia. Blafink also uses Aqua Clean, a brand from Spain who makes fabric from recycled yarn. The brand holds a Global Recycled Standard Certification.
gush cair interior paint
Gush Paint, while not entirely made in Singapore at the moment, is an environmentally safe paint that was conceived in Singapore. The final mix of colours and additives is done in Singapore and the brand is currently in the process of building a production plant in Malaysia.
Painted furniture
Art From Junk creates one-off furniture designs from old and vintage furniture finds. The pieces are creative, eclectic and uniquely environmentally friendly.
LIVING
Made in Singapore, from imported materials
While there are a number of building and renovation related products made locally, many of them use imported materials to make their products. Remember to ask the company about how you could use local materials or materials from neighbouring countries.
Expert Tip: Ask a carpenter to create something new from existing furniture.
While there are a number of building and renovation related products made locally, many of them use imported materials to make their products. Remember to ask the company about how you could use local materials or materials from neighbouring countries.
Expert Tip: Ask a carpenter to create something new from existing furniture.
Ernesztina's House
Roger & Sons is a 30-year-old family-run carpentry company that creates bespoke furniture for the residential and commercial markets. Roger & Sons also have an environmentally friendly bent being ‘ethical makers’ who started The Local Tree Project. As the name implies, local trees that have been felled for urban development are turned into furniture.
Your Furniture uses materials like timber that comes from ecologically-managed forests, and other renewable sources –including timber from old boats and reclaimed teak – to make rustic style furniture.
Olive Road
Arete Culture is best known for their award-winning interior design schemes, but the company also has a shop that stocks a few brands. The Bespoke Boutique Collection is an in-house brand that is made in Singapore by their carpenters.
Element Floor Standing Lamp with Rattan / GoatSkin Shade
Gallery 278 stocks a range of brands that use recycled timber sourced throughout Asia, alongside vintage and antique furniture pieces.
Cotton Dhurries
Ruby Slipper is an online-only rug brand that has an ethical production focus, working with Indian villages to provide work for women and girls at risk. The hand-loomed rugs are reversible and washable, and the women who produce them are paid well for their work.
With the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, it not only makes sense to shop locally for the benefit of the environment, but also to help out local businesses. So choose locally designed or produced as much as you can.
Tell us
Are you interested in sustainable and eco-friendly renovations? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
More
Find a renovation professional in Singapore
Browse more Singapore photos for design inspiration
Tell us
Are you interested in sustainable and eco-friendly renovations? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
More
Find a renovation professional in Singapore
Browse more Singapore photos for design inspiration
A carbon footprint is defined by the Carbon Trust as “the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product”.