Alternative Building Materials for Green Construction
As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, people are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the planet. This has led to a rise in alternative building materials for green construction, which uses resources that are environmentally friendly. There are many alternative building materials that can be used for green construction. Some of these materials include bamboo, cork, stone and hempcrete. Each of these alternative building materials for green construction has its own unique set of benefits and advantages. This blog post will explore some of those options and their benefits. Keep reading to learn more!
Bamboo
Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that can be used as an alternative building material. It is strong and durable, making it ideal for construction projects. Bamboo is versatile so it can be used for flooring, roofing, framing, and fencing. Bamboo also has a lower carbon footprint than other building materials, such as concrete and steel. It costs approximately $4 per square foot depending on the species of bamboo.
Alternative Building Materials : Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood is another great alternative building material. It is recycled wood that would otherwise be discarded. Reclaimed wood is often stronger than new wood, and it has a unique character that can add charm to any project.
Where to Find Reclaimed Wood:
Vintage Lumber Companies & Specialty Buyers
Dismantled Barns
Excavation Companies
Remodeling Companies
Shipping Crates & Pallets
Salvage Yards
Cork
Cork is one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials. Unlike other woods, it is harvested without harming the tree. Tree bark can be stripped up to 20 times during a tree’s life cycle. Cork has properties that make this eco-friendly product hypoallergenic as well as fire retardant; not to mention its resilience and ability to resist liquids. Cork is designed to also absorb vibrations. It is mainly used for flooring, wall coverings, insulation, exterior finish, floor underlay, and countertops. Cork flooring costs between $5 and $14 per square foot to install.
Alternative Building Materials: Stone
Stone is a natural building material that has been used for centuries. Living in a stone structure is not only eco-friendly, but low maintenance and easy on your budget.
It is durable and fire resistant, making it an ideal choice for green construction projects. Stone has excellent insulation properties and works well in various climates
Hempcrete
Hempcrete is a mix of hemp and lime that can be used as an alternative to traditional concrete and is more environmentally friendly. Hempcrete is a breathable material that does not shrink, so when it is dried there will be no crack lines. Even though hempcrete is not stronger than concrete, on the other hand it is fire-resistant, pest-resistant, mold resistant, and a strong insulator.
Ferrock
Ferrock is a new type of building material that is made from recycled materials from industrial processes, and recycled materials such as steel dust from the steel industry. It absorbs and traps carbon dioxide as part of the hardening and drying process and is five times stronger than cement. Ferrock is fire resistant, has excellent insulation properties, and is environmentally friendly.
Timbercrete
Timbercrete is a type of concrete that uses recycled timber as aggregate. Timbercrete is strong and durable, making it an ideal choice for green construction projects. It is fire resistant and has excellent insulation properties. Timbercrete also has the advantage of the ability to be nailed or screwed into place. Pricing of Timbercrete varies depending on the size and weight of the brick or panel. For example, the Hunter brick is 95mm wide, 5.32kg, and $3.00 per brick. The Fixing panel is 60mm wide, 18.9kg, and $13.50 per panel.
Cob Alternative Building Materials for Green Construction
Cob is a type of natural building material that is made from clay, sand, straw, and water. Typically, it is used to form the foundation and walls of a house since it is a sturdy material. Cob is environmentally friendly and has excellent insulation properties and is very energy efficient. It is fire and earthquake resistant. It is super easy to use, and due to its texture, it gives you the freedom to create any shape you could possibly imagine. Building a home out of cob costs between $30,000 and $90,000 or $150 and $450 per square foot. In the long run, this material will save a homeowner roughly 75% on heating and cooling.