Top 10 “Green” Materials to Use in Your Home

Bricks, concrete, and wood are the materials usually used in construction. They have been and still are used in everyday construction. This means the continued cutting of trees for wood and mining resources to make cement. Modern home decor methods and green building materials are used in construction today.

Sustainable architecture uses natural materials to create more eco-efficient homes and lower your construction cost. Read on to discover ten green materials that you can use in your home construction!

What are Green Materials in Home Building Context?

Also known as sustainable materials, green materials are used in an environmentally responsible construction method. Green materials use natural resources more wisely and generate less waste. Some popular green building materials in home construction are bamboo, reclaimed wood, cork, sheep’s wool, mycelium, recycled steel, etc. To reduce the environmental impact, homeowners, builders, and businesses are switching to green building materials. Investing in sustainable materials results in an energy-efficient building, reduced carbon dioxide emissions and being environmentally conscious.

What are the Pros & Cons of Using “Green” Construction Material?

Green construction materials have no negative impacts on the environment. Using green materials can help protect natural resources and reduce and eliminate harmful effects on the climate and environment.

Other advantages of using green materials include lower operating costs, resource conservation, and better air and water quality. Let’s look at the main Pros and Cons of using green construction materials.

Pros

• Cost-effective- Making the initial investment in green materials will result in savings more than ten times in the next ten years.
• Improved health- A resident of buildings made from green materials enjoys better health due to less risk of being exposed to pollution from air and water.
• Increased efficiency- Solar panels are installed to use energy from the sun to protect natural resources.

Cons

• High initial investment- The initial investment is still a major problem with green materials, even though the long-term returns are excellent.
• Getting the suitable material- Green materials are often unavailable in every part of the world and might be difficult and expensive to ship.
• Longer time to build- Constructing a building with green materials takes time. It can take up to 3 years as you must consider the surroundings.

Top 10 Green Building Materials

Sustainable homes primarily use natural materials and renewable resources. These structures look cool and feature design benefits such as thermal efficiency. Remember that green materials will impact your home by reducing energy consumption.

We have collected the top ten green building materials for an eco-friendly home-

1. Bark siding
2. Wool insulation
3. Straw bale
4. Bamboo biocomposites
5. Structural insulation panels
6. Reclaimed or recycled steel
7. Solar panels
8. Polyurethane Rigid Foam From Plants
9. Rainwater Harvesting Systems
10.  Tankless Water Heaters

1. Bark Siding

Bark siding is the ultimate green building material. It is the most durable and beautiful building material for exterior cladding. Bark is a very affordable and environmentally friendly product. It has a rich and deep texture with a colour that minimises the visual impact of a building on the land. Poplar bark can bring unique design integrity to any structure as a green material. Bark siding can last 75 to 100 years without any painting or sealant. 

2. Wool Insulation

Wool insulation is made from sheep wool fibres that are bonded together to form insulating batts, rolls and ropes. Sheep wool is a natural, sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable material with low embodied energy. Wool insulation can improve indoor air quality by absorbing harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide, and sulphur dioxide from the air. Additionally, they are naturally soundproofing, non-toxic, flame resistant, and biodegradable.

3. Straw Bale

Straw bales are made from the waste of the agricultural industry. It replaces lumber and absorbs carbon from the air. Remember that the walls will be thicker than a typical stick frame house. These well-insulated walls offer a very high R-Value. Straw bale houses are resistant to fire and can match your favourite aesthetic.

4. Bamboo Biocomposites

Bamboo is the ideal sustainable alternative to wood. Bamboo biocomposites are a form of bamboo shavings, which are dried, mixed with a certain amount of adhesive and waterproof agent, spread, shaped, and hot-pressed at a proper temperature with proper pressure. Bamboo biocomposites are a sustainable option for various products, including tiles, flooring, lumber, countertops, and decking.

5. Structural Insulation Panels

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are one of the market’s most airtight and well-insulated building systems. SIPs are excellent for eco-friendly buildings because of the tight seal. An airtight home allows better control over air quality and uses less energy to heat and cool. Building your home with SIPs has many benefits, including enhancing air quality and saving time, money, and resources.

6. Reclaimed or Recycled Steel

Reclaimed or recycled steel is frequently used in environmentally friendly green structures. Steel is 100% recyclable and just as durable as when it was first used. Consider using recycled steel in your home construction to save energy. Recycled steel also absorbs CO2 from the air. By using steel framing rather than wood framing, we can encourage the growth of more trees and restore the oxygen levels in our atmosphere.

7. Solar Shingle

Solar roof shingles are small, custom building pieces that blend seamlessly with traditional roof tiles. These shingles are aesthetically appealing and function as solar panels and durable roof tiles. Your roof will always be protected from the elements as it absorbs sunlight to provide energy. Solar shingles are relatively easy to install and offer renewable energy and weatherproof protection for the roof.

8. Polyurethane Rigid Foam From Plants

High-density rigid foams have been made using polyols derived from conifer trees. These foams work well as thermally conductive structural elements in a green building, providing insulation and load-bearing for the building’s design. Polyurethane Rigid Foam can make building materials stronger than concrete, more insulated than fibreglass, and completely compostable. It is an eco-friendly insulation material that has no harmful chemicals.

9. Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Rainwater harvesting systems provide a way to collect and store water for later use. These systems can be a rain barrel placed under a drain pipe or an underground tank that collects water from multiple sources. Collecting rainwater can lessen our reliance on groundwater and surface water supplies. Rainwater harvesting systems also reduce the effect of drought by providing a backup water source.

10. Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, so they don’t need to store hot water in a tank. Tankless water heaters are becoming very popular as they are energy-efficient and reduce energy cost. Another advantage of tankless water heaters is that they are long-lasting and have a lifespan of 20 years.

Conclusion

Consider using green construction materials if you’re looking for ways to make your home more environmentally friendly. Many options are available to find the perfect fabric for your needs. Think about using green materials in your next construction project to help the environment and improve your health. With so many choices on the market, it’s easy to find something that will suit your needs. Thanks for reading!

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