Everyone on planet Earth is responsible for finding ways to commit to a more sustainable and eco-friendly way of life. For many potential homeowners, one of the most effective ways to reduce their overall carbon footprint is by building a home that embraces natural building materials that provide reliable and effective construction properties.
While this may be somewhat unknown territory for most, thankfully, there are many trusted and accredited companies, like Carbatec, who are ready to assist and guide you through this exciting and sustainable project.
1. Stone
Building a home from stone provides a low-maintenance, eco-friendly structure. The advantage is that any leftover stone can be turned into stylish home furnishings. Because stone is naturally occurring, you do not need to add any additional resources to create the material itself. Furthermore, its beautiful natural finish will help you save on paint and other decor necessities.
This highly versatile material is naturally fire-resistant and works well in a wide range of climates. It also requires very little maintenance and cleaning over time, keeping the cost and effort needed for upkeep reasonably low.
2. Bamboo
Using bamboo as a construction material is not a new concept. But in today’s environmentally conscious world, this unique wood is seeing a resurgence in popularity as more people embrace its sustainable qualities and bohemian charm.
As one of the fastest-growing plants on planet Earth, bamboo is more sustainable than many other options. The strength and overall finish of the wood give your home a unique and distinctive style. Bamboo has better tensile strength compared to steel and can withstand compression more effectively than concrete.
3. Adobe Brick
Adobe brick is an ancient and eco-friendly building material that is still used today. It is trendy in the Americas and the Middle East and is created using clay and straw. Like many other natural materials, it has excellent insulation properties that can maintain a balanced indoor temperature.
This architectural finish is popular in the Southwestern United States and acts as a natural noise protection. This is incredibly appealing for anyone living near a busy main road or a bustling retail center. In addition, the sun-dried bricks can be easily cut and shaped, giving homeowners more creative opportunities when designing homes.
4. Cob
Cob is a fantastic natural material that is easy to work with, especially for beginners hoping to build their own eco-friendly home. Cob is a sustainable mud mixture that comprises multiple natural ingredients like sand, straw, soil, and, in some cases, lime.
One of the biggest appeals of using cob is its beautiful aesthetic finish, which often mimics the whimsical and enchanting nature of the Hobbit homes seen in Lord of the Rings. Cob homes are relatively cheap to build but take longer to construct than traditional ones. The material naturally slows down the rate of heat transfer, which can help regulate internal heat and cut down monthly electric bills. However, many insurance companies consider cob homes high-risk, making coverage from regular carriers somewhat challenging
5. Cordwood
If you are after the perfect cozy cottage, exploring cordwood building materials may be worthwhile. This delightful spin on the traditional log cabin comprises evenly sized logs held together with a mortar mix for proper insulation.
Cordwood is well-known for its low cost and fantastic insulation when built correctly in hot and cold weather. It can also be easily adapted to suit a passive solar home design. While building a cordwood home without hiring a general contractor is possible, you may run into issues when trying to obtain proper home insurance should you fail to get the correct permits.
6. Cork
Cork may be best known for keeping wine fresh, but it is also a fantastic insulator for home construction. For years, it has been regularly used in construction across Europe and even in space, but it has recently started to gain traction in the United States.
Cork derives from cork oak trees, which are primarily harvested in Europe, particularly in Portugal and Spain. The cork bark is removed by hand and can be done without killing the tree. Because 50% of its cell volume is made from air, the air cushion design makes it one of the best materials in the world for thermal insulation. Furthermore, its porous but impermeable structure makes it resistant to mold and mildew.
7. Mycelium
For some in the industry, the future of home construction is fungi. Mycelium, or mushroom roots, are a fast-growing and fully organic material that grows in abundance across the world. Thanks to its root-like fibers, it can be transformed into building blocks, with many architects seeing it as an integral part of future cities created to be living, breathing organisms.
When dried, it can be used as a sustainable building material that is water, mold, and fire-resistant. When combined with pasteurized sawdust, it can transform into nearly any form. It is important to note that mycelium is still primarily in its experimental phase, but mycologists have found it to be stronger than concrete and easy to transport.
Article by Community Writer.
