Combatting Coronaviruses With Building Materials

We know having a healthy home for a strong immune system is more important now than ever, but did you know certain building materials can naturally reduce bacteria and viruses in your home?  At Savage Architecture we have been reducing the transfer of viruses and bacteria in our home designs by specifying the natural benefits of copper & copper alloy surfaces for nearly 20 years.  Copper is known to destroy coronaviruses and bacteria on contact, according to a December 2010 article published by American Society for Microbiology, a November 2015 article published by the University of Southampton England and dozens more confirmed publications affirming the “contact killing” nature of copper.

Dating as far back as ancient Egyptian times, copper was used for its healing properties in the sterilization of wounds, infections, and drinking water.  Today it has revived as a low-cost alternative for developing countries, yet is seldomly considered as a means to help prevent disease in today’s home designs or construction.  When weighing the initial cost of copper, the cheaper plastics, aluminum, and stainless steel have become popular building materials instead.  Even residential copper water lines are being replaced by cheaper permeable products known to randomly leach chemicals directly into drinking water.  This is preventable with a clear set of architectural specifications and if the Owner is informed of the potential side effects caused by inferior substitutions.

Major healthcare institutions are weighing the total end cost by supplementing current hygiene measures with copper & copper alloy products.  Studies have shown the initial installation cost of copper surfaces within these institutions to be less expensive than the costs associated with routinely disinfecting inferior materials more frequently.  Exposure to dangerous chemicals may also be reduced by implementing copper more often.  Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic could reduce the cost of copper alloys if more manufactures get involved and/or make the cost of copper less of an issue moving forward.

Many of our cities and neighborhoods have already begun transitioning to other materials.  Even though it may be difficult to control the major infrastructure within these jurisdictions, we can still have a positive impact by starting within our homes.  Although copper is unable to keep homes germ-free, we can have a healthier home now by simply using the right faucet, handrail, light fixture, or doorknob and reduce the transfer of viruses from these surfaces.  Taking advantage of prevailing winds, solar positioning, low to no VOC’s and implementing oxygen replenishing devices while simply understanding IAQ are other ways of having a healthier home too.  Learn more about designing your next healthy home at www.SavageArchitecture.com or call (970) 393-2927 today.