The eco-friendly revolution is upon us, and it’s about time. The green building industry has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years, as more people are seeking eco friendly products to purchase for their homes. In this blog post, we’re going to talk about 14 eco friendly building materials that will help you save energy and the earth!
What are green building products?
Green building products are environmentally friendly substitutes for traditional building materials such as wood, steel, and plastic. They’re typically made from sustainable or recycled sources that require less energy to produce than their counterparts.
The best part is that many of these materials also have the added benefit of being non-toxic. So not only are you helping the environment by using them, but you’re also keeping your family safe from harmful chemicals.
Why do you need green building materials?
Sustainability has become a key concern for homeowners in recent years, as the world faces an ever-growing population and dwindling resources. By using eco friendly building materials, you can help reduce your home’s environmental impact while also saving energy and money!
So without further delay, let’s take a look at some of the best eco friendly building materials available today:
Bamboo
Bamboo is a sustainable building material that’s growing in popularity. It’s made from the fast-growing bamboo plant, which regenerates quickly and doesn’t require fertilizer or pesticide treatment. Bamboo is also strong and durable, making it a great choice for flooring, ceilings, walls, and even furniture!
Another great thing about bamboo is that it comes in a variety of finishes, including natural, stained, and painted. So you can find the perfect look to match your home’s style.
If you want to know more about what makes bamboo so sustainable, check out the article below.
Cork
Cork is another sustainable material made from the bark of the cork oak tree. It’s durable, moisture-resistant, and fire-resistant, making it a great choice for flooring, walls, and insulation.
Another benefit of cork is that it’s biodegradable and recyclable. So when you’re ready to replace it, you can simply recycle it instead of sending it to the landfill!
Timbercrete
Timbercrete is a sustainable construction material made from cement/sand and industrial wood waste such as timber. It’s lightweight, eco friendly, and has many of the same benefits as traditional concrete: durability, strength, and longevity.
So what makes Timbercrete so eco friendly? Well for starters it uses less water than regular concrete during production thanks to its porous composition. And since it only requires around half as much energy to produce, you can feel even better about yourself when you’re using this sustainable building product!
Rammed Earth
Rammed earth is an eco friendly construction material that’s been used for centuries. It’s made from a combination of soil, gravel, and lime, which are combined and compacted to create sturdy walls. Rammed earth is also fireproof, moisture resistant, and termite-proof!
One downside of rammed earth construction is that it can be labor intensive – but the end result is well worth it! Check out the video below to see this interesting building material in action:
Straw Bales
Straw bales are green building materials made from straw, which is typically a byproduct of the grain industry. Strawbale buildings use special design techniques to help them withstand earthquakes and provide insulation for heat retention!
And since straw is an agricultural waste product, you can feel extra good about using this eco friendly material in your own home. Straw bales are commonly used in home walls, which is a good option if you live in an earthquake zone.
Ferrock
Ferrock is another sustainable building material that’s made from recycled steel, gravel, and cement. It requires less energy to produce than traditional concrete does, which makes it a great choice for new greener construction.
And even better – Ferrock can be used in place of regular concrete when doing repairs or renovations on existing structures! Often used in flooring and paving, Ferrock is a versatile sustainable building material that’s perfect for any home.
Eco Glass
Eco Glass is made from recycled glass, which makes it a great choice for eco friendly construction. It’s durable, strong, and has a beautiful translucent appearance.
One downside of Eco Glass is that it can be expensive – but the benefits far outweigh the cost. Plus, as more and more people begin to demand sustainable building materials, the price will likely come down in the future.
Grasscrete
Grasscrete is a unique type of paving material that’s made from recycled plastic and grass. It’s durable, slip-resistant, and can be used to create driveways, sidewalks, and patios.
One great thing about Grasscrete is that it helps keep rainwater runoff out of storm drains and sewers. And since it doesn’t require any maintenance or watering, you can rest easy knowing your eco friendly driveway will look great for years to come!
However, Grasscrete does have its limitations. It’s only meant to be used in sunny areas with warm climates, so it can’t be installed everywhere. Regardless, Grasscrete is still a wonderful building material that can help you leave less of an environmental footprint.
Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood is made from recycled wood and other natural materials. It’s durable, sustainable, and has a classic look to it that adds character to any room or outdoor space.
Reclaimed wood is a great choice for eco friendly construction because it’s made from recycled materials. Not only does this help reduce waste, but it also means that reclaimed wood is a sustainable building material. Plus, reclaimed wood has a beautiful rustic look that adds character to any room or outdoor space.
And as if those weren’t enough reasons for you to choose reclaimed wood over traditional lumber – did we mention how affordable it is?
HempCrete
HempCrete is a type of biocomposite material made from hemp, lime powder, and other natural ingredients. It’s sustainable, durable, and fireproof – and did we mention that it has antimicrobial properties?
So what makes Hempcrete so great for use in homes? Well since it’s an all-natural product you can expect fewer off-gassing issues than with standard construction materials!
Another great thing about Hempcrete is that it’s very sturdy, so you can be confident it will keep your home protected from earthquakes and other natural disasters.
And last but not least – Hempcrete is a great insulator, which means that you’ll save money on electricity bills in the long run! Sturdy, versatile, and with energy efficiency right out of the box, what’s not to like?
Mycelium
Mycelium is a unique, sustainable material made from the root structure of mushrooms. It’s lightweight, durable, and can be used to create insulation, furniture, and even entire buildings!
One great thing about mycelium is that it’s an all-natural product, meaning there are no harmful toxins or off-gassing issues. It’s also very lightweight, which makes it a great choice for transporting in an energy-efficient manner.
It’s fascinating how a material created from fungus can be so sturdy and versatile! If you’re looking for an eco friendly material that’s both stylish and sustainable, mycelium is a great choice.
However, it’s worth noting that mycelium is still in its early developmental stages, so it may not be the best choice for all construction projects. Be sure to consult with a professional before making any decisions.
Papercrete
Papercrete is a concrete-like building material made from recycled paper and cement. It’s strong enough for use in walls, floors, and ceilings – and since it’s treated with a fire retardant you can feel safe using it in your home!
One small downside to papercrete is that it can be a bit difficult to work with. But if you’re willing to put in a little extra effort, the results will be well worth it!
Papercrete is an excellent choice for anyone looking for affordable and green construction material. Made from recycled materials, it’s a great way to reduce your environmental impact while also saving money on construction costs.
What makes Papercrete so special is that it can be molded into just about any shape or size you need. So if you’re looking for truly unique and sustainable material, Papercrete is definitely worth checking out!
AshCrete
AshCrete is a sustainable building material made from recycled ash and cement. It’s durable, moisture-resistant, and can be used to create floors, walls, and other structures.
One great thing about AshCrete is that it doesn’t require a lot of additional energy or resources to produce – making it a truly green building material!
However, AshCrete does have a few downsides. For example, it’s not as strong or durable as bamboo- which means you may need to use more of the material for projects like walls and floors.
Another downside is that AshCrete isn’t suitable for exterior applications, so if you’re looking for something to build your outdoor patio with this might not be the best choice.
But despite these drawbacks, AshCrete is still an eco friendly building material worth considering! It’s versatile and sustainable enough to find plenty of uses in homes around the world.
And since it can be used just about anywhere inside your home there are very few limitations on what kind of structure you can create with it!
Recycled plastics
Recycled plastics are a great eco friendly building material because they can be used to create just about anything! You can use recycled plastic lumber to build decks, fences, and other outdoor structures.
And for indoor projects, you can use recycled plastic sheeting as flooring, wall coverings, and even roofing materials!
Although recycled plastics are considered a good building material, some people are still not comfortable with them. The reason is that recycled plastics can release harmful toxins when they’re burned or melted.
But with a little careful planning, you can avoid any potential health hazards and enjoy the many benefits of using recycled plastic building materials!
What is the greenest building material?
This is a difficult question to answer, as there are so many excellent eco friendly building materials available today. However, if we had to choose just one material, it would have to be Hempcrete!
This sustainable building material is made from hemp, lime powder, and other natural ingredients, and has several cool advantages making it a great choice for homes and businesses alike.
So if you’re looking for an affordable, durable, and sustainable building material – look no further than Hempcrete!
How can I make my house greener?
Granted, not everyone here is looking to build a new house, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your current one more environmentally friendly! There are a number of things you can do to reduce your energy consumption and help the environment.
Some easy tips include installing energy-efficient appliances, sealing windows and doors to keep out drafts, and using LED light bulbs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs.
You can also install solar panels or wind turbines to generate your own renewable energy. And finally, consider planting trees or installing a rain barrel to collect stormwater runoff.
By following these simple steps, you can make your house greener and help save the planet in the process!
If you want to know more about how you can make your home more sustainable, check out the article below
Final Thoughts
There are so many eco friendly building materials available today that it can be difficult to figure out which one is the best. What matters is finding a material that is durable, affordable, and meets your unique needs.
Using traditional construction materials not only harms the environment – but can also be costly. Luckily, there are plenty of sustainable options available today that will not only save you money in the long run but do so without harming Mother Earth!
So if you’re looking for a material to build your next home or business with, consider one of these fourteen green building materials first!