They are all environmentally friendly building materials that you can use for your home, eco-friendly tires. For a better world, there are new processes and alternatives for sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials that can be used in construction today. As the demand and selection of such materials continue to increase, it is important to understand the basics of green building materials and how they can be incorporated into your home. The first step is to distinguish between the terms “green” and “sustainable”.
While they're often used interchangeably, they actually have different meanings. In general, all sustainable products are green, but not all green products are sustainable. What makes organic products sustainable has to do with the way in which they are developed, produced, harvested, etc., and with the way in which that process impacts the future. Sustainable products are not only produced in a way that is environmentally friendly and protects the environment, but they are manufactured in a way that ensures that future generations will have access to the same resources. These are the 15 best sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials in construction:
Bamboo
Bamboo is considered to be one of the best eco-friendly building materials.It has an incredibly high rate of self-generation, and some are reported to have grown to one meter in 24 hours. It continues to spread and grow without having to replant it after harvest. Bamboo is a perennial herb, not wood, and grows on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. Unfortunately, bamboo requires treatment to resist insects and rot.
If left untreated, bamboo contains starch that largely attracts insects, and could swell and crack after absorbing water.
Prefabricated Concrete Slabs
Prefabricated concrete slabs are used for walls and facades of buildings, as they withstand all types of weather well, while others can be used for flat floors and roofs. Concrete is an excellent way to control heat inside a building and is affordable as a construction material. The sustainability of precast concrete slabs is higher than that of many traditional concrete options, since the slabs usually require much less energy to produce and assemble them. Precast concrete also allows the material to cure properly in a controlled environment, rather than exposing it to a variety of unfavorable weather conditions while it cures on a construction site.Therefore, prefabricated concrete slabs prevent cracks and structural faults in concrete and possible demolitions.
Cork
Like bamboo, cork grows very fast. It can also be harvested from a living tree, which keeps growing and reproducing more cork, which is tree bark. Cork is elastic, flexible and returns to its original shape even after withstanding constant pressure. Its resilience and resistance to wear make it a common element in tiles.It can also be a good thermal insulator, since it is resistant to fire, especially if left untreated, and does not release toxic gases when burned. Cork, being almost waterproof, does not absorb water or rot.
Recycled Plastic Concrete
Instead of obtaining, extracting and grinding new components for construction, manufacturers use recycled plastic and other ground waste to produce concrete. The practice reduces greenhouse gas emissions and is giving a new use to plastic waste, instead of obstructing landfills and contributing to plastic pollution.Steel
Steel can be used for the framing process, instead of wood, which increases the durability of a structure against earthquakes and strong winds. A 2,000-square-foot home requires about 50 trees to build, but a structure made of recycled steel requires the steel equivalent of just six discarded cars.Steel is 100% recyclable and significantly reduces the ecological impact of new buildings.
Plant-Based Polyurethane Foam
The new material for surfboards was made of rigid plant-based polyurethane foam, which came from bamboo, algae and hemp, rejuvenating the surfboard industry. When pressed firmly into wooden shapes, it creates walls that feel similar to concrete.Tamped Earth
Buildings built with tamped earth are made safer or strengthened through the use of reinforcing bars or bamboo.Hempcrete
Hempcrete is robust, has good thermal and acoustic insulation qualities and is fire resistant. In addition, its greatest sustainable property is that it is CO2 negative, which means that it absorbs more CO2 than it emits. Hemp itself is a fast-growing and renewable resource.Ferrorock
This makes Ferrorock carbon neutral and consumes much less CO2 compared to traditional concrete.It is a viable alternative to cement and can be mixed and poured to form entrances, stairs, paths and more structures. Some researchers believe that iron is more weather resistant than concrete.
Terrazzo Floors
This is a mosaic floor style in which small pieces of marble or granite are placed on polished concrete or epoxy resin. When well maintained, Terrazzo Floors can last up to 40 years without losing their luster. The original terrazzo was set in cement and was inspired by Italian works from the 20th century.Bamboo Tiles
Bamboo is a sustainable alternative in many different applications such as tiles moldings floors wood countertops terraces.Sheep Wool Insulation
There are several different companies that now offer sheep wool insulation.At Black Mountain USA insulation can be purchased in rolls and blocks just like fiberglass insulation However wool has a 10% higher insulation factor and is capable of absorbing retaining and releasing moisture while maintaining its thermal properties You'll be warmer in winter cooler in summer Caragreen explains how wool can improve indoor air quality by removing harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde nitrogen oxide sulfur dioxide from the air They carry Havelock wool insulation in bulk as well as loose padding Wool is also naturally flame resistant sound-dampening non-toxic biodegradable at the end of its useful life The manufacturing process of wool insulation is sustainable in production safer in installation no “spacesuits” needed longer in its lifespan And when it reaches the end of its useful life wool insulation is compostable. These are just some examples of sustainable building materials available today for home improvements that will help reduce your carbon footprint while creating an eco-friendly home environment.
