Global warming is creating a necessity for the new generation of building materials, which are recyclable, durable, efficient, and have no negative effect on health and environment. Wood, stone, metal, clay, earthen materials acquire better qualities in combination with new components and in innovative manufacturing techniques. Organic construction materials have the potential to replace the traditional completely.
Artificial construction materials are causing pollution and tremendous harm to the environment, as well as chemicals reflect people’s health negatively. Appliance of the organic building materials such as wood, clay, cellulose insulation, waxes has become today’s requirement to step the planet’s destruction and create a better environment for the next generations. Distinguishing a genuinely eco-friendly building material might be somewhat complicated as quite often the producers use the current trend for marketing purposes.
The main characteristics of the natural construction materials are:
- recyclability,
- absorbing moisture to create indoor environment that breathes,
- energy-efficiency,
- excluding or minimizing negative effects on the environment while production.
In order to help you understand which materials can be used or replaced in your house to make it green, we will suggest looking into the most popular natural construction materials.
Wood. If you are thinking about the old-school log cabin, it isn’t exactly what we mean here. Numerous innovative ways of using wood for the construction have made it possible to create modern design and add new qualities to it. Wood is thermal-resistant, absorbs sounds, has great electrical and mechanical properties. Sustainable forestry practices and recycling are allowing expansion of wood for construction.
Natural stone. Architects have been inspired by the beauty of stone structure from the time the Pyramids and Taj Mahal, which remain the best proof of its durability. The ease of maintenance and recyclability make it an obvious choice for the green constructors.
Native metal. The main advantages of working with the metals such as steel and aluminum is that they can be recycled an infinite number of times. Metals are light, fire-resistant, and durable. Due to the fact that most of the metalwork is done off-site the construction waste is minimal.
Natural fiber. Recycled cotton fibers or wool fibers are eco-friendly, biodegradable, low-cost, and stiff.
Composite materials. Roof panels are constructed with the composites like foam and cellulose due to their light weight and insulation qualities. The material is chemicals resistant and possesses load-bearing strength. Most of the buildings all over the world contain.
Clay materials. Most common clay building products are bricks, tiles, and drainage pipes. Clay is used as a primary material for different natural building techniques, paints, daub. The material is extracted from the ground easily, changes shape and becomes stronger just by adding water and other components.
Soil materials. Earthen materials have been used for the construction since the ancient times. Chopped straw, grass and other materials are normally added to soil to make it a stronger building material. Soil materials are warm and durable.
Bamboo. Harvestable maturity of bamboo is reached in five years, which makes it economical material. In construction, bamboo is used for the frames or supports, walls, and floors.
Smart Glass. Windows whose light transmission qualities vary depending on the light heat making sun rays less invasive in summer and becoming more transparent in winter. Smart glass can block up to 99% of harmful UV light.
Natural materials - video
More about natural materials
Modern architects are actively using ancient soil building materials due to their ecological and aesthetic qualities and modifying them for the demands of contemporary construction.
Soil materials
Clay construction materials are durable, solid and stable, allowing to create ecological buildings with excellent thermal insulation and aesthetic appearance.
Clay materials
Using more than one building material together to enhance the properties of each other determines composite materials, which allow achieving higher efficiency in construction.
Composite materials
Natural fibers have great potential in the construction industry due to thermal insulation properties, availability, renewability, low cost, and biodegradability.
Natural fiber
Metal is a source of numerous sustainable and recyclable building materials. Durability, strength and flexibility make it possible to use the metals in various construction aspects.
Native metals
Stone is a durable, versatile, renewable building material with high thermal mass. Stone’s availability in various colors, sizes, and textures creates possibilities to use it in all construct
Natural stone
Over 5000 kinds of wood in the world offer the opportunity for creating a wide range of renewable and ecological construction material with great thermal, electrical, mechanical properties.
Wood materials