We are traditionally used to using earth bricks, concrete, and wood in construction. They have been and continue to be used in our everyday construction, meaning the destruction of trees for timber and the mining of resources to produce cement for binding sand, gravel, and bricks carries on.
But we all need a better world tomorrow.
Well, to have the world we envisage, we need to switch from our ways of doing things to new and more sustainable processes, and one way to do that is through using green building material alternatives for construction.
Here are the top 15 sustainable and green building materials in construction.
Sustainable and Green Building Materials That Can Be Used in Construction
1. Bamboo
Bamboo is considered one of the best eco-friendly building materials. It has an incredibly high self-generation rate, and, in fact, it’s the fastest growing plant on earth, with some being reported to have grown up to three feet within 24 hours.
Plus, unlike trees, bamboo continues spreading and growing without having to be replanted after harvest. It’s also a perennial grass and not wood, meaning it grows on every continent except Europe and Antarctica.
It also has a high strength-to-weight ratio. In fact, with a tensile strength of 28,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), bamboo is even stronger than steel (23,000 PSI) and 2 to 3 times stronger than hardwoods like oak.
Of course, that means it’s also stronger than concrete and brick and will last much longer than either. As such, bamboo is not only a sustainable material but also one that’s strong enough for use in flooring, cabinetry, and other areas.
But then, even as we prepare for the switch, one thing to note about bamboo is that it requires treatment to resist insects and rot. If left untreated, it contains starch that can be a great attractant for insects.
2. Precast Concrete Slabs
The other option we should consider when building is precast concrete slabs. These slabs are formed at a manufacturer’s site and shipped in whole sections to construction sites. Some are made entirely of concrete with large hollow air spaces, like concrete blocks.
Precast concrete slabs are used for walls and building facades as they hold up well to all sorts of weather, while others can be used for floor and flat roofs.
Using concrete slabs is an excellent way of controlling heat within a building and is affordable as a building material. Plus, the sustainability of precast concrete slabs is higher than many traditional concrete options, as the slabs often take much less energy to produce and assemble.
Precasting concrete also allows the material to cure in a controlled environment properly, rather than exposing it to unfavorable weather conditions while curing at a construction site. As such, precast concrete slabs avoid cracks and structural faults within the concrete and eventual demolitions.
3. Cork
Cork is the third green construction material on our list. It’s much like bamboo in that it also grows very rapidly.
Plus, this material can be harvested from a living tree, and the tree will grow and produce more cork. That’s unlike timber, where trees have to be brought down.
The material possesses exceptional properties that make it a perfect construction material. It’s resilient, flexible, and reverts to its original shape even after enduring sustaining pressure. In fact, its resilience and resistance to wear make it a common element in floor tiles.
In addition, cork also excellently absorbs noise, making it perfect for insulation sheets, and due to its excellent shock absorption qualities, it is perfect for sub-flooring.
But that’s not all yet; it can also be a good thermal insulator as it’s fire resistant, especially if untreated, and does not release toxic gases when it burns. And even more, being nearly impervious, this material does not absorb water or rot.
But there’s a caveat.
Cork isn’t widely available. It can only be sourced from the Mediterranean, making shipping it a bit costly. Fortunately, it is extremely light and only requires less energy and emissions to ship.
4. Straw Bales
While not many may think of using it, straw bale is another green building material that can be used in a variety of construction applications.
The material has good insulation properties and can act as soundproof material. The material can be used on walls, attics, and ceilings and is a great option for keeping the house cool during the warm months of the summer.
In addition, straw bales can be harvested and replanted easily, with minimal environmental impacts.
But then, there’s a major downside to using this material — it can catch fire easily, so you’ll need to be extra careful when working with it. But other than that, it’s a great construction material for those who want a better planet tomorrow.
5. Recycled Plastic
Rather than sourcing, mining, and milling new components for construction, manufacturers are using recycled plastic and other ground-up trash to produce concrete.
The practice is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is giving plastic waste new use rather than clogging landfills and contributing to plastic pollution.
A blend of recycled and virgin plastic is also used to make polymeric timbers for use in making fences, picnic tables, and other structures while, at the same time, saving trees.
Plastic from two-liter bottles can be spun into fiber to produce carpets. Reused plastic can also design products such as cable pipes, roofs, floors, PVC manholes, and PVC windows.
6. Reclaimed Wood
Using reclaimed wood is one of the most environmentally responsible ways to save trees and reduce the amount of lumber in landfills.
Reclaimed wood can be found in retired barns, excavation companies, home remodeling contractors and companies, salvage yards, and shipping crates and pallets.
Reclaimed wood is good for structural framing, cabinetry, and flooring. It is lightweight but has less strength, and each piece’s integrity should be assessed and chosen for an appropriate project.
Also, most wood is susceptible to insects and degradation, meaning it needs reinforcement and additional treatment.
7. Reclaimed or Recycled Steel
Steel can be used for the framing process in place of wood, increasing the durability of a structure against earthquakes and high winds.
A 2,000-square-foot house requires about 50 trees to build, but a frame made from recycled steel requires the steel equivalent of just six scrapped cars.
Steel is 100% recyclable and significantly reduces the ecological impact of new construction.
Mining, heating, and shaping products made from aluminum and steel requires a lot of energy, but properly and efficiently reusing or recycling them into new products lowers the energy and makes the material more sustainable.
Plus, the recycled metal is long-lasting and does not require frequent replacements.
In addition, recycled steel does not burn or wrap. As such, it’s perfect for roofing, building facades, and structural support. And, of course, recycled steel is also water- and pest-resistant.
8. Plant-based Polyurethane Rigid Foam
Rigid foam has long been used as insulation material in buildings. It was first used after a top manufacturer of surfboard material was fined by the EPA, and subsequently put out of business for using a toxic material.
The new surfboard material was made from plant-based polyurethane rigid foam, which came from bamboo, kelp and hemp, rejuvenating the surfboard industry.
It is now in use in the manufacturing process, including that of turbine blades and furniture. The material is rigid and relatively immovable, meaning it can be used for insulation.
Additionally, it offers protection against mold and pests. It is also heat resistant, protects against mold and pests, and can be perfect as sound insulation.
9. Sheep’s Wool
Sheep’s wool is an excellent alternative to chemical-laden insulation. It insulates the home just as well as conventional insulation and requires less energy to manufacture.
Sheep’s wool can increase energy efficiency and soundproof your structure. It does not degrade nearly as quickly as other insulation materials like straw and, compared to some natural insulators such as cotton, sheep’s wool is more prevalent, can be harvested more easily and regenerates quickly.
Unfortunately, it is not the most affordable insulator. It also has to be treated to ward off insects and prevent the growth of fungi. Such treatment might make sheep’s wool less eco-friendly, depending on the chemicals used.
10. Rammed earth
Rammed earth is a technology that has been used throughout human civilization for thousands of years and lasts a very long time.
It is a popular and affordable solution to creating steadfast foundations, floors, and walls through natural materials such as chalk, earth, gravel, or lime and then compacting them.
When pressed tightly in wooden forms, it creates walls that have a similar feel to concrete. Buildings made from rammed earth are made safer or fortified by the use of rebar or bamboo.
Mechanical tampering can significantly reduce the amount of labor required to create sturdy walls. Rammed earth walls and floors can be used as thermal storage, allowing the sun to warm them during the day and slowly release the warmth in the cooler evenings.
11. HempCrete
It is a concrete-like material created from the woody inner fibers of the hemp plant. The fibers are bound with lime to create concrete-like shapes that are strong and light.
Hemp concrete blocks are lightweight, dramatically reducing the energy used to transport the blocks.
Hempcrete is sturdy, has good thermal and acoustic insulation qualities, and is fire resistant.
Additionally, its biggest sustainable property is that it is CO2 negative, meaning it absorbs more CO2 than it emits. Hemp itself is a fast-growing and renewable resource.
12. Mycelium
It is a building material that is actually natural. Mycelium is a natural unicellular organism that comprises the root structure of fungi and mushrooms.
It could be encouraged to grow around a composite of other natural materials, such as ground-up straw, in molds or forms. It is then air-dried to create lightweight and strong bricks or other shapes.
Combined with pasteurized sawdust, mycelium could be formed into almost any shape and be used as a surprisingly sturdy building material. There is the potential for creating bricks and uniquely shaped building segments that are both strong and lightweight.
The mushroom-based building material can withstand extreme temperatures, making it an organic and compostable alternative to home insulation, Styrofoam, and even concrete.
13. Ferrock
It is a relatively new material, and it uses recycled materials such as steel dust from the steel industry, or ferrous rock leftover from industrial processes, usually sent to the landfill.
It creates a concrete-like building material, stronger than the concrete itself. Plus, it traps and absorbs carbon dioxide as part of its drying and hardening process.
This makes ferrock carbon neutral and a lot less CO2 intensive as compared to traditional concrete.
It is a viable alternative to cement and can be mixed and poured to form driveways, staircases, pathways, and more structures. Some researchers believe ferrock is more resilient to weather than concrete.
14. Timbercrete
This is an interesting building material made from a mix of sawdust and concrete. It is lighter than concrete and reduces transportation emissions.
The sawdust also reuses a waste product and replaces some of the energy-intensive components of traditional concrete.
Plus, timber concrete could also be formed into traditional shapes like pavers, bricks and blocks.
15. Terrazzo
This is a mosaic style of flooring where small pieces of marble or granite are set in polished concrete or epoxy resin.
When well maintained, terrazzo floors can last up to 40 years without losing brilliance. The original terrazzo was set in cement and was modeled after 20th-century Italian work.
Today, 90% of terrazzo floors are made with epoxy resin. A company like Terrazzo & Marble Supply Company manufactures ‘forever floors’ from their own epoxy, which incorporates materials like brass, aluminum, and zinc, along with recycled glass, beer bottles, marbles and porcelain.
A terrazzo floor might be more expensive than carpets, but you will have to replace carpets. Terrazzo floor, on the other hand, can last for over four decades, making it a sustainable building material.
Additionally, before pouring terrazzo into place, you can use the color of your choice and make the floor of your choosing. It makes for easy-to-clean floors, which can also be installed in high-traffic areas like schools, airports, and stadiums.
16. Composite Roofing Shingles
It takes a lot of resources to constantly maintain, manage, and replace construction materials.
As a result, common roof tile types like asphalt shingles and wood shakes that constantly rise, crack, and fade can become energy drains in terms of enabling air and moisture to enter and exit the home just because they need so much upkeep.
Composite roofing shingles would be a better option because they maintain the natural appearance of more conventional materials while requiring less upkeep.
17. Smart Glass Windows
The use of wide windows to let in more natural light and reduce the demand for electric lighting has been a notable trend in sustainability in recent years.
The advantages of this construction method cannot be overstated, but by choosing smart glass for the windows, the advantages can be increased.
Innovative material known as “smart glass” alters its thermal characteristics depending on how heat and air conditioning are applied within the home.
18. Solar Panels
As technology advances and designs grow more visually acceptable, solar panels are used increasingly frequently on roofs and yards. A residence can reduce its reliance on nonrenewable energy using solar panel tiles or mounted structures.
