The Rise of Sustainable Construction Materials: Solutions for a Greener Future
/The Rise of Sustainable Construction Materials: Solutions for a Greener Future
By nature, the construction industry is a massive user of natural resources. You need gas to fuel machinery, hardwood for framing, and maybe even steel beams for reinforcement. And with certain climate crises becoming more public, like global warming, plastic pollution, and deforestation, it is becoming a concern.
The industry is well aware of its impact on natural resources. Because of this, it has started to develop excellent sustainable construction materials. These are designed to counteract the impact construction has on our planet and natural resources, allowing us to continue to develop in the US.
What are sustainable construction materials?
Sustainable construction materials are any building material or product designed to minimize the negative impact on the environment. These materials are typically made from renewable sources or are products without chemicals and low emissions.
The whole idea of these materials is to reduce the impact on our planet. Therefore, to be considered a "sustainable" or "green" building material, they must lower their effect on the environment than their non-sustainable counterpart.
Sustainable construction materials examples
Nowadays, there are many different types of eco-friendly construction materials. These can be repurposed materials, sustainability-developed products, or natural products harvested in an eco-friendly manner.
The most popular sustainable construction materials are the following:
1. Mycelium
A rapidly growing material in the world of environmentally suitable building materials is Mycelium. Surprisingly, it comes from a mushroom. And you are right; that does sound odd. However, because of its primary components, it works excellently as a bonder for demolition waste, timber, and sawdust. When combined, it can be molded into bricks, which can later be used in construction.
Because it is a mushroom-based product, it has virtually no negative environmental impact when used or harvested. The only downside is that it is not in mass production yet. The only notable example of its usage was in 2014 in the "Hy-Fi" structure in Queens, New York.
2. Mass timber (or cross-laminated timber)
Another one of the many solutions for a greener future is mass timber (otherwise known as cross-laminated timber). This type of timber is developed by mechanically bonding various pieces of softwood to create larger, prefabricated wood components.
Unlike Mycelium, mass timber has started gaining some traction in the US. In 2022, the market for this product reached over 1 billion USD, a great achievement for a more environmentally responsible construction future.
The reasons why are understandable, also. The environmental benefits of mass timber have been researched a lot. A study from the Journal of Building Engineering found that using mass timber reduces global warming potential by 26.5% compared to other materials.
3. Precast concrete
Unlike site-cast concrete that is poured and cured on-site, precast concrete is created offsite. Though it might seem like the same product, it is not. Precast concrete slabs are more sustainable, as they take less energy and materials to create.
Because of its significant sustainability improvements, it now positively impacts your LEED Certification Performance Score. This is great for residential and commercial property owners as a better score showcases your commitment to building an eco-friendlier future.
Why are sustainable building materials rising in popularity?
When building a home, it is smart for anyone to think about using sustainable construction materials. If you use them effectively, you can encounter the following benefits:
Tax Credits - The US wants you to build sustainable homes, specifically energy-efficient homes. You could get a tax credit if you build a home tied to ENERGY STAR certification. The amount you will get varies, but a new single-family new home is $2,500.
Cost Efficiency - Materials that are considered more sustainable are normally cost-effective and offer superior quality and performance outcomes. Additionally, these materials are usually pre-made (like precast concrete) and reduce the labor required for a project.
Environmental Benefits - Using these materials, you can create greener buildings that use less energy and emit fewer pollutants in their lifetime. This is especially beneficial for communities close to industrial areas, as they have to suffer the effects of air pollution more than others.
These are the main reasons why sustainable building materials are becoming more popular. And it is understandable. With the benefits of cheaper materials, more efficient housing, and even tax credits, you cannot go wrong. Each of these gives you, the property owner, masses of benefits when compared to standard building materials.
How can you start utilizing sustainable construction materials?
If the above benefits interest you, we are sure you want to start using more sustainable construction materials. In that case, follow the simple 4-step guide below:
Research - First, you must understand what you want to build or revamp. Once you know, you can look at the different eco-friendly construction materials available for that project. When searching, get an understanding of the obtainable benefits.
Get Pricing - Once you understand what you want, it is time to get pricing. For help with this, contact our Home Perfection Contracting team. We are a custom home builder and renovator that is driven by sustainable construction.
Create a Plan - With our help, we will create a plan and determine the best practices or approaches necessary to fulfill your project requirements.
Sit Back & Relax - Once you are happy with the plan, we will execute it. During this time, you can sit back, relax, and wait for us to create a more sustainable home.
As you can see, even though sustainable building materials can bring a tonne of benefits to your life, it is not difficult to start using them. The process behind building properties or revamping houses with green building materials is like the standard process.
Bring a sustainable future to life
After reading the above, you should understand the current state of sustainable construction materials in the US. Without question, it is an exciting movement and something we at Home Perfection Contracting are looking forward to. If you want to bring a sustainable future to life, let us help. Contact a helpful representative today.