What are sustainable building materials?
Materials that are used to build sustainable buildings have less impact on the environment. The way that standard building materials are sourced and manufactured, as well as transported, will release CO2 into the air. The materials used in the construction of a building may not be able to be recycled or reused in the end.
Benefits and challenges for sustainable construction
The use of sustainable building materials can improve a building’s green credentials. As a result of this, some facilities can achieve a net-zero rating, or their embodied CO2 emissions are so low that carbon offsets can be used to push the building forward.
The construction industry may not be set up to use sustainable materials on a large scale. They are harder to find and more expensive. The client may not be as concerned about sustainability as the contractor, or the building might need to be redesigned in order to include sustainable materials. This will increase the cost and duration of the project.
The importance of sustainable construction materials
However, 30% of UK carbon emissions are attributed to the built environment. 7% of this figure is a result of embodied emissions. Construction is pursuing a net-zero strategy and must use more eco-friendly materials to achieve the UK’s net-zero target by 2050.
Sustainable materials
The construction industry has been going backward in many ways by moving away from concrete, bricks, and stone to more sustainable building materials. Since millennia, people have used materials like cob and bamboo to build their houses. Innovative ways of building have now supplemented these.
Natural biodegradable building materials
Sheep wool
Sheeps’ wool is an excellent natural insulator and is, therefore, ideal as a building insulation material. Sheep’s fleece can be used to insulate lofts, walls, and ceilings.
Denim
Denim is the fabric from which jeans are manufactured! Denim, when reduced to cotton in its natural state, is a great insulation material that can be used for residential and commercial buildings.
Cork
Cork is lightweight, flexible, durable, and fire-retardant. It can also be reused. Cork trees that are regularly harvested also store up to 3-5 times as much carbon than those not gathered.
Straw Bales
Straw is a cheap by-product of agriculture that makes a very effective insulation material. Straw is biodegradable and 100% recyclable.
Cob
Cob is made of soil, water, organic fibers, and sometimes lime. Cob has been used as a building solution for centuries and could be a viable option in the future.
Mycelium
Mycelium, a fungus that grows on plants, is an unusual building material. When dried, the root-like structure has a high strength-to-weight ratio and can be used as a binding and insulation agent or in bricks.
Bamboo
Bamboo houses in Bali
Bamboo is a flexible material that can be used for both structure and decoration. Bamboo has been used in both large and small buildings.
Polyurethane rigid Foam
It is made of hemp, kelp, and bamboo. It has excellent thermal resistance and insulation properties. It is resistant to heat and moisture.
Rammed Earth
While damp, soil containing the correct quantities of sand and gravel, silt, clay, and silt can be compacted into a frame or formwork. This ‘rammed Earth’ can be used to build very strong walls, floors, and foundations after curing.
Reclaimed and recycled building materials
Wood
Reclaimed wood may be the most sustainable of all building materials. Reclaimed wood is a great alternative to new wood because it saves the environment. It can be used as floorboards, supporting structures, and interior features.
Steel
Steel is recycled more than all other materials combined (paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass) because mining is among the most damaging activities to the environment. Steel is a durable and strong building material.
Plastic
Plastics are used more and more in construction. This is inevitable. Plastic items take centuries to break down, as we all know. Recycling plastics as a construction material can produce 95% less emissions than concrete.
Rubber
Rubber flooring, including synthetic and natural rubber, can be made from recycled materials.
Advanced emerging building materials
This 3D-printed home was the first of its kind in Europe (2017)
Smart glass
Smart glass is an energy-efficient type of glass. It reacts to solar energy and controls how much heat and light enters a building.
3D printing & prefabrication
Construction companies are increasingly using 3D printing to create bespoke components and complete builds. The main benefits are speed and scalability. The entire 46-home Lancashire housing development is 3D printed.
Solar panels
Solar panels have been around for quite some time. In 1995, the first photovoltaic panel was installed on a UK residential property. They are still the most cost-effective renewable energy technology for homeowners.
Enviroboard
Enviroboard, a fire-resistant board, is made of sawdust and fiber cloth. Enviroboard, which is stronger than traditional boarding, is used for wall linings, roof linings, and underlayment systems. The natural curing and drying process makes it carbon neutral.
Alternative concrete materials
- AshCrete is made from 97% recycled materials and uses fly ash in place of traditional concrete.
- Hempcrete is a mixture made of sand and hemp fibers, along with lime. Hempcrete is lightweight and breathable.
- Timbercrete is made from sawdust and concrete. The long-lasting, highly fire-resistant alternative
What will the building materials be in 2050?
Construction materials will be more environmentally friendly than they are today by 2050. This is the goal for the UK to achieve net zero. By 2050, it is difficult to predict which building materials will be used most often, but concrete alternatives may well replace traditional concrete, and off-site construction could be more common.