Eco-Friendly Building Materials for a Sustainable Future

Building a sustainable future requires the use of eco-friendly building materials. Steel is an existing material that can be used for structural purposes in homes. Bamboo is becoming increasingly popular due to its fast growth rate and biodegradable properties. Cob structures, which are made from clay, sand, straw, and water, have been around for over 10,000 years.

Straw bale buildings are also a sustainable option, as the straw can be compressed and converted into roof and wall panels for insulation. Compressed straw is 100% recyclable and biodegradable, and can be used as compost or recycled into panels when it reaches the end of its life cycle.

Bamboo: A Sustainable Choice

Bamboo is an excellent choice for construction due to its antibacterial properties and rapid growth rate. It takes only 3-5 years for bamboo to regrow after being harvested.

In comparison, plastic items take up to 1000 years to decompose in landfills, while plastic bags take 10-20 years and plastic bottles take 450 years. Cast iron is another sustainable material that is five times stronger than Portland cement and weighs 10-25% less than bricks. Ferrock is a new material made from recycled materials that is being developed for marine applications.

Cork: A Versatile Resource

Cork is another rapidly growing resource that can be harvested from living trees without having to be replanted.

It is flexible and resistant, making it perfect for tiles, insulation sheets, and subfloors. Cork is also naturally fire resistant and does not release toxic gases when burned. However, it does require treatment to resist insects and decay.

Concrete Slabs: An Energy Efficient Option

Concrete slabs are also a great option for sustainability.

They are formed at a manufacturer's facility and shipped in entire sections to construction sites. Prefabricated concrete slabs require less energy to produce and assemble than traditional poured concrete options, and they can be properly cured in a controlled environment. Concrete also serves as an excellent way to control heat inside a building.

Wood: A Low Carbon Emission Choice

Sustainably sourced wood is low in net carbon emissions compared to steel and concrete.

Cross-laminated wood uses smaller pieces of wood more efficiently. Composite roofing shingles provide the natural look of traditional materials with less maintenance required. The Green Roof Energy Calculator can help compare the energy performance of your home with or without a green roof installation.

Innovative Building Materials

Innovative building materials such as weeds, mutant fruits, or invasive exotic plant species are also being used in new buildings.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) provide better control over indoor air quality due to their hermetic envelope.