With the view of protecting the environment, real estate developers are using eco-friendly building materials during construction. Read on to know the sustainable building materials used during construction of green structures.
Recycled steel
Wooden beams for houses result in cutting down of many trees. This causes extensive damage to the environment. Recycled steel not only makes the house more resistant to earthquakes and storms, but also reduces consumption of other essential resources. A ton of recycled steel saves nearly 1.5 ton of iron ore and 0.5 ton of coal. It is also cheaper than normal steel and is one of the most effective green home building materials.
Eco-friendly super bricks
Constructed from wool and seaweed, these super bricks are friendlier to nature than their predecessors. These bricks are more durable than their traditional clay counterparts and boast of excellent thermal performance. Light in weight, these blocks reduce loss of heat and are resistant to adverse weather. They enable a quick and reliable construction.
Insulating concrete forms
One of the oldest green construction materials, insulating concrete forms can be manufactured using any of the following materials:
· Cellular concrete
· Polystyrene foam
· Cement-bonded wood fiber
· Polyurethane foam
· Cement-bonded polystyrene beads
The forms provide excellent insulation to the building and save nearly 20% of energy. Because of its low-impact on nature, these forms are a great alternative to wood in terms of walling the structure. They not only provide thermal insulation, but also improve indoor air quality.
Eco-friendly paints
Conventional paints contain lead and other harmful chemicals. The solvents in these paints are volatile organic compounds. Volatile organic compounds along with other airborne pollutants create smog and deteriorate indoor air quality. This hazard has propelled the demand of eco-friendly paints that have reduced levels of volatile organic compounds. Green paints are free of vinyl and other plasticisers.
Wool-blended carpet
Though wool is expensive, yet it is one of the softest, luxurious and ecologically friendly carpet fibers. Wool-blended carpets are biodegradable and stain resistant. These carpets also improve the overall decor of the room.
Low emissivity windows
By nature window glasses are highly thermal emissive. Thin-film coatings over the windows lower their emissivity. These windows keep heat inside during winter and outside during summer. Though the windows are expensive, yet they save a lot of energy.
Straw
Easy availability and high insulation value has made straw an eco-friendly construction material. A renewable natural material, straw absorbs carbon dioxide. Several studies have shown straw-bale construction as a sustainable method of building.
