Energy & Technology
The newest trends for green building materials
In recent years there have been many materials developed for use in environmentally friendly construction. There are two main categories that all of these materials fall into; Rapidly renewable plant materials and recycled industrial goods.
Rapidly Renewable plant materials that are gaining popularity in new home construction. Natural materials are most often found in the interior of green homes. They are often stylish and price competitive with more traditionally used materials. These materials include:
- Lumber from forests certified to be sustainably managed (structure)
- Bamboo (floors)
- Cork (floors)
- Coconut coir (insulation and rugs)
- Seagrass (carpets and rugs)
- Paper flake board (structure)
Recycled industrial goods are also growing in popularity for use during construction. These materials are often recycled from other structures and
Linoleum
- Ecology Blocks - Stackable concrete blocks, which can be disassembled and reused at the end of a buildings life (instead of destroyed like cinder blocks). These blocks are often made after with the extra concrete left over in a cement truck after a job is finished.
- Demolition Material - "Deconstruction" refers to the removal and reuse of materials from a building before it is demolished. In some cases up to 90% of a building can be diverted from a landfill with the appropriate planning. Other materials that can be used from a demolition include crushed concrete which can be reused to make more concrete or timber waste which can be used in making chipboard.
- Polyurethane Blocks - Lightweight and strong, it can be used for insulation, external facades, or internal decoration.
As the use of renewable and recycled materials becomes more and more cost effective, look for the types and uses of materials to continue to expand in the near future.
Building your home out of these types of materials is not only responsible, but it can be fashionable as well.
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