10 Most Sustainable Construction Choices for Your Home

Last updated on November 14, 2023

Here are the top ten most sustainable materials you can use for home construction. Read on!

Sustainability has become a concern for homeowners and construction builders in recent years. Due to climate change and limited resources, building more environmentally friendly buildings has become increasingly important.

One of the ways to do this is by using specific materials that are considered sustainable. However, you may need to find out which materials are eco-friendly. In this article, we’ll tell you the top 10 most sustainable construction materials to help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

ICF Blocks

ICF construction has become popular for creating sustainable homes and commercial buildings. This is due to several reasons, such as the ability to help reduce heating and cooling costs.

In addition, concrete can prevent heat from entering and leaving home, which is why ICF blocks are used for insulation. It helps homeowners use less energy consumption and lower their greenhouse emissions.

Also, ICF blocks are more durable than other construction materials. This requires fewer repairs and replacements for systems within the walls. In return, you reduce waste and conserve resources better.

Cob

Using cob as a building material for a home has been around way longer than you may think. Over 10,000 years ago, people used cob to build homes lasting for years.

Cob is made out of subsoil, water, and fibrous material. The mixture creates a natural building material that helps regulate the temperature within a home. Also, it’s easy to use, and you can shape it into a design you like.

Another benefit of using cob is that it’s more affordable than other materials. So if you’re looking for a cheap building material that’s sustainable, consider cob for your home.

Recycled Steel

One of the most recycled materials in the world is steel, and the best thing about it is that it doesn’t lose its properties over time. This means it’s the perfect material for building a sustainable home.

Every year, steel is recycled more than plastic, glass, and aluminum combined. It’s perfect to use during the building process because it’s strong and stands against the test of time. Also, it helps save energy costs in the long run.

Cork

The next time you open a bottle of wine, you should save the cork for something else. Cork comes from the cork oak tree in northwestern Africa and southwestern Europe.

The material is mainly used to create acoustic flooring, walls, and ceiling panels. It’s a resilient material that absorbs moisture and vibration.

Recycled and Reclaimed Wood

Recycled wood is one of the most common building materials in the world. This is because it is easy to use and provides a natural feeling inside the home.

When using wood for your home, it’s best to choose recycled instead of new timber. Doing so helps you become more environmentally friendly in your building materials. However, if you must select new wood, be sure to source it from a sustainable forest.

Bamboo

Bamboo has become a popular choice for many materials besides homes. For example, you can find paper, plates, and clothing made from bamboo.

This is because bamboo is 100% biodegradable, antibacterial, and can grow back fast. Also, its fibers have high strength. For these reasons, bamboo is an excellent material to use for construction purposes.

AshCrete

This material is a more environmentally option than using concrete. Ashcrete comes from the residue of pulverized coal, known as fly ash. It is also composed of chemical borate, bottom ash, and chlorine.

Ashcrete comprises around 97% of recycled materials, making it a great sustainable choice.

Many builders prefer using Ashcrete due to the smaller pores, which provide a stronger hold when building.

Hempcrete

With more states becoming more aware of hemp uses, many builders are discovering how eco-friendly the material is for construction. Hempcrete is made from hemp fibers, sand, and lime.

It’s great to use when constructing and insulating a new building. The material is breathable and doesn’t shrink.

So once it’s dry, there are no cracks to worry about. Hempcrete may not be as strong as concrete, but it is fire and pest resistant.

Clay Brick

Another old building material that people have been using for thousands of years is clay brick. It is made from natural materials, clay, and water.

You can’t get any more eco-friendly than using this type of material. Clay brick is energy efficient and helps keep the heat out during the summer.

Also, when deposed in the landfill, it releases no toxic chemicals. So it’s great for those who are trying to protect the Earth throughout the entire process of building a home.

Timbercrete

house construction foundation on flat ground

Timbercrete is a material made from a mixture of sawdust and concrete. The sawdust helps reduce the overall need for concrete and recycled wood that may have been tossed into the landfill.

Timercrete insulates homes better than just using concrete, and it’s long-lasting. As a result, it is often used to form bricks, blocks, and pavers on the exterior walls of a home.

The Takeaway

When creating a sustainable home, you must be wise about the material you use. If you’re unsure what type of material is best for you, consider these ten options above.

Remember that more options are available if you prefer not to use something other than the items listed above. But whichever materials you choose, make sure it’s eco-friendly so we can help protect our planet from further damage.

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