Being eco-friendly building materials kray kray, let’s take a step back. I mean it goes beyond recycling your garbage or using less electricity and water – it is about changing the intention of how you plan to live. It means focusing on creating less or no harm to the environment to reduce our impact on global climate change and the greenhouse effect.
Using sustainable materials in the building industry effectively lowers the impact on the environment. The building industry has had a bad reputation when it comes to sustainability, but this is changing. Businesses have realized the advantages, both socially and environmentally, in becoming more eco-friendly or green.
You can increase the value of your home or building by making it more eco-friendly. Whether you are building from scratch or refurbishing, it is advisable to go green for a more sustainable project. From the roof to the floor, there are numerous eco-friendly options and solutions to choose from. Some of these have been around since man started building and bettering his shelter, and some are new innovations.
Natural Products
The move towards greener building practices is causing a shift back to using natural materials. Sandbags, bamboo, and straw bales are age-old techniques that people are still employing to insulate homes. Not only are they better for the environment, but they can also cut down on energy costs. Sandbags can be built into walls ensuring the building is cool in summer and warm in winter. This cuts the needs for heating and cooling systems which are notoriously energy intense.
Straw bales are also thermally efficient and cost-effective. Sheep’s wool is another popular natural insulation option, but this can prove pricey. Cork is a natural product that boasts many properties when used as cladding. It acts as an insulator, is fire retardant, reduces sound pressure, and resists abrasion, as well as being aesthetically pleasing. We can also use it in floor tiles for shock absorption and resistance. Not only do these greener solutions benefit the environment, but they are also healthier for our well-being.
Innovative Solutions
Recycling paper offers many benefits like cellulose which we can also use for thermal insulation. In addition, precast concrete slabs are a great innovation on building sites. They take less energy to produce and assemble. Professionals can take whole sections to the site and save on energy and time. In addition, it reduces the occurrence of cracks and structural faults as often happens when pouring concrete on-site.
Plant-based polyurethane is a foam which we make from natural materials like hemp, bamboo, and kelp. moreover, we can also use it for insulation purposes. Another great option is reclaimed or recycled wood and metal. We can use these materials for structural framing, flooring, cabinetry, siding, and roofing. Recycled metal is strong, durable and long-lasting, and the amount of energy used to make it into usable material is considerably less than mining for more metal. It also prevents us from cutting down more forests. Engineered wood is a composite material made from wood and resin. It is pressed and treated and then cut into the required planks, panels, trims, or accessories. You can learn more about engineered wood here. It is low maintenance, durable, and withstands temperature fluctuations.
Taking It Further
Another option is recycling glass. We can use this material for special finishes like table-tops or even interior walls. Choose low- or no-VOC paint to ensure a healthier environment. A current trend is to create a green roof that integrates living plant material into the roofing surface. Solar panels are also an eco-friendly solution to lowering energy usage. slate and clay tiles are durable and sustainable since they require little processing.
Ecological building solutions not only ease environmental pollution but also have the potential to save the consumer time and money. If you are passionate about sustainability to ensure our planet’s longevity for generations to come, we all need to make changes to be more eco-friendly in all areas of our lives.
