What Are The Most Sustainable Building Materials?
When constructing a new home, the builder has numerous materials from which to choose. With more home buyers seeking to lessen their impact on Mother Earth, many builders are searching for eco-friendly and sustainable building materials. The following are some of those materials to consider.
Eco-Friendly Materials
Recycled Steel: Recycled steel has become an immensely popular green building material. It uses steel that is already in actuality for structural support in trusses, beams, and walls. Steel is a popular building choice in hurricane zones for its strength.
Bamboo: Bamboo is the fastest growing trend in the eco-friendly market of building materials. It has an unusual amount of tensile strength and hence can be used in walls and flooring. Bamboo multiplies quickly thus an excellent sustainable material.
Sheep's Wool: The insulating features of sheep wool are widely known in the clothing industry. The same functionality could be used as an energy efficient insulator in walls, ceilings, and attics.
Straw Bales: Straw bales have been used as a building material for hundreds of years. It was one of the earliest ways to insulate a home. Straw bundles are placed in walls, attics, and ceilings to keep the house cool in summers and warm in winters. Just like bamboo, straw can be grown quickly and is easily sustainable.
Precast Concrete: Precast concrete is different than the usual concrete poured on site. Precast concrete is poured into molds, and the hardened concrete is delivered to the site for use. This system is less wasteful than the normal process.
Reclaimed or Recycled Wood: One of the hottest trends today is using reclaimed or recycled wood. This reuse of materials has a less environmental impact than using new wood. Trees take years to grow. Hence re-using wood which was previously used in homes or other structures reduces the ecological impact and therefore eco-friendly.
Earth: There are many ways to incorporate the earth into a design. Whether it means building into a hillside instead on top of it or having a green, living roof, the insulation properties of stone, dirt, and grass are well known. Rather than trying to alter the landscape to build, look at how the land can be incorporated into the final design.
Using eco-friendly and sustainable materials in building a home will not only reduce the impact on the Earth but also may help reduce heating and cooling bills by offering natural forms of insulation.
For more information on using sustainable materials in a custom-built home contact Grayson Homes at 919-578-6222.