Sustainable Building Materials: The Future of Construction

Sustainable building materials are more important than you would think. The world is tackling climate change and global warming, resulting in every industry aims to take a green approach and plan for a better future.

The construction industry is no different, especially as people need homes, but they also need to reduce their carbon footprints. This is why people are trying to move towards sustainable building materials.

It’s not just a passing trend but the future; we can expect to see these materials replacing traditional building materials in the coming years.

What are Sustainable Building Materials?

Sustainable building materials are green components with a minimal carbon footprint, making them as environment-friendly as possible. It must be said that as factories are blamed for causing pollution, many of these processed materials are then used for construction.

Ignoring the actual materials, just the several steps involved in processing any material, cause much harm. Hence, it is necessary to reduce the emission of harmful gases through the industry. They must produce sustainable and recyclable materials.

Sustainable materials have the properties mentioned above and play a significant role in creating an eco-friendly building and decreasing greenhouse emissions during the project.

What is the Importance of Using Sustainable Building Materials?

As mentioned, sustainable building materials are the future, and you’d be surprised by how many added benefits they can give your building.

Built to Last
If you’re pouring a large amount of capital into a project, you expect it to last. One of the significant properties of sustainable building materials is that they are built to last for a long time. When considering materials for a building, you consider its lifespan.

Many sustainable options are more durable than their traditional counterparts, making them a worthwhile investment.

Minimized Waste
Of course, the crucial advantage of using sustainable components for your building is that you can minimize the waste your project produces. Most green options have minimal to no harmful effects on the environment.

This includes the extraction of raw materials such as wood which causes deforestation, and mining which causes indirect damage to the environment. These include deforestation, erosion, contamination of nearby soil and streams, and also noise pollution.

Sustainable Design
Sustainable design doesn’t mean sacrificing style. You can have aesthetically pleasing buildings without harming the environment as long as you plan carefully.

Using as many natural materials as possible and shifting towards renewable energy resources ensure the building remains green even after completion.

Increasing a building’s life cycle and managing water use (and conserving it) contribute to sustainable design paired with sustainable materials.

Health Improvement
It shouldn’t be a surprise that when a building is dedicated to being comfortable yet sustainable, it also improves your health.

Traditional building materials may emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or carcinogens. The use of eco-friendly components dismisses this problem and ensures your health.

Best Sustainable Building Materials That Can Be Used in Construction

Here’s a glance at some of the major sustainable building materials that are increasingly used in the industry.

1. ReHolz – More Than Wood Material
   ReHolz is an innovative sustainable building material company based in Indonesia, and its product can replace wood at several stages for an eco-friendly option for your homes and buildings. It has no wood and is primarily composed of rice husk.
   Made using 60% rice husk, 22% common salt and 18% mineral oil, it gives a natural finish that looks similar to wood. However, ReHolz is more durable and flexible, giving it an advantage when it comes to styling.
   
   
2. Recycled Metal
   Aluminium and steel are widely used metals in construction, but they are finite resources and won’t always be available. Apart from that, both require processing which causes many harmful emissions.
   The recycled metal retains its original qualities and is strong and resistant. Additionally, it is water and pest-resistant. For every time steel is recycled, 75% less energy is used during a project.
   
   
3. Engineered Wood
   Timber is said to be the most eco-friendly wood, but engineered wood, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), contains different types of wood fused together. CLT is popular, and the entire concept is used to make buildings that feature it heavily.
   It is easier to use and has excellent strength and insulating properties, making it an ideal option for large-scale use during construction.
   
   
4. Bamboo
   Bamboo is a natural resource, which, when appropriately treated, is a premium option for scaffolding, flooring, cabinetry and even bridges. It’s lightweight, durable, and has higher compressive strength than brick and concrete.
   It counts as a renewable material because it has a very fast growth rate, including self-generation. This makes it a better option than woods like pine or cedar, which take years to grow.
   
   
5. Cement Made of Recycled Plastic
   Plastic waste causes a lot of harm to the environment, so recycling it is encouraged. Engineers have found a method to make lightweight and flexible concrete with it as the main component.
   It lowers carbon emissions, lessens landfill and waste, while also decreases the overall cost. Many roads and buildings are being constructed using this plastic.
   
   
6. Pre-Cast Concrete
   Pre-cast concrete slabs are created in controlled environments, with foam insulation surrounded with outer layers of cement. The curing process ensures no cracks, which is highly durable and reduces heat due to the insulation.
   It is also lighter than traditional cement mix and resists chemicals and solvents.
   
   
7. Green Thermal Insulation
   Green insulation traps heat inside buildings during winter and keeps it out during summer, thereby decreasing emissions by lowering the use of ACs and heaters.
   Renewable options like sheep wool, cellulose (recycled paper such as newspapers), and polyester (also obtained from recycled plastic bottles) will help create a green building. Straw bales are another option for green insulation.

Conclusion

Sustainable building materials will be the right choice for a better future, as they will not only help in conserving the planet, but they can also help in bettering the environment. Furthermore, sustainable building materials are excellent in quality, long lasting, and can be an economic investment. We can expect that traditional building materials will soon be replaced with more sustainable alternatives.

In case of further questions about ReHolz, don’t hesitate to call us on +623199533330 or send us an message to hello@re-holz.com. We would be happy to discuss your ideas and help you understand how to get the best out of ReHolz.