5 things to look for in an eco-classroom

If your school or preschool is considering an eco-classroom (Sometimes referred to as an ‘outdoor classroom’) there are 5 things we think you might need to know before embarking on your journey:

CARBON FOOTPRINT: That the road miles of the eco-classroom are minimal, reducing the carbon footprint of the whole project. This includes the materials your builder has sourced from their suppliers. Naturally, the distance the building has to travel to you from the factory is also a huge consideration IE: If an eco-classroom really is eco in it’s nature it should not be shipped over to the UK from abroad and the raw materials should be sourced locally (and as close to the manufacturers factory as possible).

INSULATION: eco-Classrooms should be insulated to above Buildings regulations standards and exceed the regulations for thermal properties. This should be a natural or inert material. Most Garden Room companies and building firms specify Celotex or Kingspan insulation boards as dictated by Building Regulations. As effective as this is for thermal purposes, these boards are extruded polyurethane foam core which is a known carcinogen and can release dangerous toxins into the air. You will most likely find alternatives such as sheeps wool, hemp, mineral wool and 100% recycled consumer goods (plastic bottles) or textile options.

ACOUSTICS: With children making memories and most likely, a lot of noise, it’s worth considering a structure which has great acoustics! The level of soft furnishings and insulation you have fitted in your building will also make a significant difference to the way the building performs acoustically. Sound boards can be mounted on the wall if you’d like to further dampen the sound and reduce noise within the building.

GLAZING: Natural Light is critical. But, more windows are not necessarily the best way to achieve this. Too much glazing can drive down your insulation levels and reduce the effectiveness of your thermally designed structure. An experienced architect will always advise you to specify a building which is designed to capture the maximum level of solar gain, IE: windows positioned on the South and East elevation and fewer windows on the North elevation. All glazing units should be double or triple glazed, Argon filled and Low E rated to best support the eco-classroom thermally.

HEATING & COOLING: A superbly insulated and well-considered eco-classroom should maintain it’s temperature all year round and an eco-building would always be more thermally efficient than a traditional brick built classroom. However, heating may still be required in the winter and if you’re keen to reduce the energy consumption of your eco-classroom you should have an eco-classroom which can come integrated with either Infra Red heating panels, Ground Source Heat Pump, Air source Heat Pump or Underfloor Heating. Similarly, a quick-fix cooling system for the winter such as an opening rooflight system or windows which open for cross-ventilation (on opposing sides of the room) are also a mu