There is a growing demand for the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials when it comes to building homes or renovating your existing one, and there are now plenty of options available. If you are looking to renovate your home or create a new one and want to choose green materials so that it is environmentally friendly, below are some of the materials you may wish to consider for various aspects of your build.
Hempcrete
The hemp plant is an extremely versatile one, and there are many more uses for it than smoking it to get high and the hemp used has a low THC level so would not give you a buzz. However, it is an excellent alternative to concrete and is an environmentally friendly option that offers similar benefits. The plant fibres are mixed with lime which creates a concrete-like material that is strong and durable and lightweight.
Cork
Cork is an excellent material to use in your home, especially for flooring, wherein its spotted texture pairs perfectly with the white timber benchtops Australia suppliers and other suppliers around the world are showcasing as among the hottest trends this year. Cork is also a sustainable product. The tree’s bark is removed to give you cork, and this does not kill the tree as the bark will grow back in about eight to fourteen years. There are many reputable suppliers of cork materials, and it is a popular choice as well for its fire-retardant properties.
Bamboo
Bamboo is another sustainable resource that you can use in your home that is also eco-friendly. Bamboo is a plant which can grow extremely quickly, and some species can grow as quick as 36 inches in 24 hours. A bamboo forest can be harvested for the wood it provides and can grow back as quickly as 90 days, depending on the type of bamboo that it is.
Recycled Plastics
Plastic waste is abundant globally, and rather than sending it to a landfill to decompose over hundreds of years, it can be recycled and incorporated into your home. You can mix the recycled plastic with concrete, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the amount of concrete required, and still have something strong and durable.
Ferrock
Ferrock is another material which is like concrete and is made from recycled materials like steel dust. The finished product is stronger than regular concrete and is less CO2 intensive, and absorbs and seals in carbon dioxide during the drying process. If you are looking for a suitable material to replace concrete in building your home, then ferrock may be the perfect solution.
Straw
Straw has been used to build homes with hundreds, if not thousands of years, and its popularity is resurgent. You can use the straw to build the walls in your home, negating the requirement for concrete, stone, or gypsum. It is also surprisingly fire retardant and an excellent insulator, helping to keep your house both warm and cool, depending on the season.
These are a few of the materials you may wish to consider using when building or refurbishing your home, and there are plenty more besides. For more information on eco-friendly building materials, a quick search online should lead you to related articles, and you can make the green home of your dreams.
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