[ECO]These 15 Building Materials Provide a Blueprint for a Green Tomorrow

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These 15 Building Materials Provide a Blueprint for a Green Tomorrow

Sustainability is more than just a buzzword when it comes to construction. If the existing trend of prefabricated, tiny and passive dwellings continues to grow, urban areas will soon be filled with self-sufficient structures. 

People’s interest in sustainable building materials is swelling — they are looking for eco-friendly homes to buy or renovate with renewable components. 

Building with these 15 materials will make your green dream home a reality.

Recycled Materials

Diverting waste from landfills by reusing it in construction is a sound move. What materials can you repurpose? Use these items to mitigate the problem.

1. Glass

Glass is a sustainable material with an endless capacity for recycling. It can be heated, crushed and mixed with other elements to form new products. Powderized glass as concrete is a recent discovery. Experts are examining how it can replace traditional concrete to assemble a more sustainable structure. Some case studies found that replacing

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with glass powder can produce durable mixtures that can be used in construction. 

2. Plastic 

Recycling facilities can reprocess discarded plastics and turn them into building supplies. One company has built a home out of more than 600,000 **** bottles. The process involved shredding, heating and melting waste to create panels. Such an innovative idea could be the solution to address one-time plastic use and rid the planet of it. 

3. Steel

Reusing steel is another economical option. Due to inflation, prices for building materials are increasing. Using metal scraps helps homeowners save money on their projects and saves resources. Mining new metal demands energy, water and other valuable resources, and the process is environmentally destructive because it releases emissions. Recycling steel

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compared to manufacturing new products. 

4. Rubber

Scrap tires are mainly made of rubber that can be repurposed into a building material. Some companies process and mix them with other ingredients to make into durable bricks. Other builders use them creatively as walls by packing the inside with dirt and clay and stacking them like masonry. Rubber is a valuable material with plenty of applications in building structures.

5. Shipping Containers

Rising mortgage interest rates have discouraged many from buying new homes, drawing them to recycling shipping containers. The concept is nothing new — people have known about these homes for a while. Building one will set you back $25,000-$250,000 on average. A low-end tiny container home can be as affordable as $10,000. Many prefer it since it’s economical and has the added bonus of being sustainable. 

Wooden Materials

Construction supplies made from trees are also a permanent feature of green homes. Here are some of the best examples.  

6. Cedar

Sustainable roofing materials can reduce a home’s

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, making them an ideal choice for budgets and the environment. Cedar can keep your home warm during winter and cool during summer, increasing homeowners’ comfort while reducing expenses. 

7. Bamboo

Bamboo has multiple sustainable upsides. A hectare can sequester

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yearly. Its biggest advantage as a building material is accessibility, weather resistance and carbon-negative features. It grows all over the world and can withstand fires of up to 400 degrees Celsius. 

Above all, it continues to store carbon even after being used in construction, reducing what’s in the atmosphere. Experts believe it’s the magic bullet to address the planet’s overwhelming carbon dioxide concentrations.

8. Lumber

Lumber is a renewable building resource. Trees that are cut and used for it are grown in managed forests. When they reach maturity, they’re harvested and replaced with new ones. 

Contractors use lumber mainly to build the home’s structure. However, it’s versatile and can be used for flooring, furniture and cabinetry. Lumber has a natural insulating property, and houses made with it require less electricity for heating and cooling. 

9. Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is salvaged from dismantling a vintage building or home. Wood from old structures is often highly sought after because of its unique characteristics, durability and distinctive grain patterns. 

Besides holding historical significance, some may no longer be available today. Repurposing them has lesser environmental impact than cutting and processing trees to form planks.

Natural Insulators

Besides wood, some natural materials excel as green alternatives due to their thermal properties. Here are some examples.

10. Ferrock 

Ferrock is short for ferrous rock. It appeals to sustainable homeowners since it’s made of 95% recycled materials and compacted together to produce bricks. Mixing waste steel dust, iron-rich ferrous rock and silica from ground-up glass creates a durable resource five times as strong as concrete. Compared to conventional materials, it’s more flexible and capable of withstanding higher levels of seismic stresses from nature. 

11. Stone

Stone has been around for ages and was once a popular building resource. As more people pursue sustainability, it’s set to make a comeback in construction. It has several benefits: It’s abundant and has a lower carbon footprint than concrete and steel, making it eco-friendly. Experts say it’s better than wood and is the future of the construction industry.

12. Cob

Cob is another ancient building material. The mixture consists of sand, clay and straw, which are solidified to form a structure. Cob houses capture people’s attention because of their stunning external facades. Many say they look straight out of a ****** tale. This earthen component is highly flexible and has endless applications, including building homes, cottages, ovens and garden walls. 

13. Cork

Cork is made out of the bark of an oak tree. Because it’s versatile, it makes an incredible building object. Like wood, cork is a natural insulator, helping to lock in heat during winter and cool air during summer. Moreover, it’s highly renewable since manufacturers don’t have to cut the tree — they only harvest the bark.

14. Straw Bale

Many people are skeptical of using straw in homebuilding, but bales have existed for a long time. Using it may be a new concept for some. However, it’s regaining popularity as an alternative for resources emitting loads of carbon, like concrete. 

It’s one of the most affordable insulators. On top of that, it can also resist pests and *****. The only downside is the intensive amount of work involved in building. However, you can ask for volunteer help from family or friends since construction is so simple that even a beginner can do it.

15. Earthbags

Earthbags are simply rice or feed bags filled with soil and stacked like masonry. Builders use a hand tamper to compact the dirt and ensure bags stay flat while piled together. Then, they use barbed wire to keep them in place and reinforce the structure. Finally, they apply plaster to make interior and exterior walls.

Build With These Eco-Friendly Materials

Sustainability is at the forefront of many homeowners’ minds. You can renovate or build your house with eco-friendly components. Choose any of these materials and natural insulators to construct your dream home and be at peace with the planet.

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