4 Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Building Materials

by Erin McAfee | Nov 1, 2022 | Uncategorized

Article by: Susan Holmes

In recent years, many industries have shifted their focus to building and maintaining sustainable, environmentally friendly operations that find creative ways to lessen their impact on the planet. Construction is one industry that’s paving the way when it comes to minimizing effects on the environment and finding new ways to reuse existing materials, all while keeping costs low. Whether you’re looking to build a new structure, add on to an existing building, or renovate a home, there are plenty of widely available eco-friendly products on the market. 

Here are just a few of the building materials you can use in your next “green” project. 

1. Save on Energy Costs with Insulation

A key component to building a house or commercial structure that’s environmentally friendly is making sure that the building will be eco-friendly beyond the close of construction. This means putting some forethought into how the building will operate and considering which areas can be a potential source for reduced energy needs. 

Insulation is one of the most important tools in any energy efficiency project.  Not only does it stop the transmission of heat or cold air leaving or coming into the building, but it also stops insect life, moisture, and more.  To protect your home to the fullest, go for non-toxic insulation.  This type of insulation will protect your home, save money on your energy bills, and give you the peace of mind that you’re not welcoming any dangerous materials into your living space.

2. Updating Portions of Your Windows Instead of the Entire Unit

When you’re working on a new build, you have the luxury of picking out the most energy-efficient windows from the start. After all, windows can be one of the main culprits when it comes to energy loss, such as slow leaking cold air making its way indoors in the winter and too much hot air being trapped inside in the summer. 

Unfortunately, when you’re working on renovating or updating a space, you’ll have to consider each window on its own.  Of course, you could do a complete replacement of every window, but that costs thousands and can take months.  Going for window replacement inserts instead saves money, shortens the work time, and allows the windows to look and function like they’re brand new.

3. Metal Plank Siding is Sustainable and Chic

If you’re looking for a rustic aesthetic that will age gracefully over time using an environmentally friendly building material, metal plank siding is a must. Compared with other building materials like wood, which often requires the growth of new trees and ample resources and energy used to make the trees into planks, metal plank siding frequently uses existing materials. Metal is easy to recycle and helps to reduce construction companies’ impact on the planet. 

Another benefit to metal plank siding is the fact that it can offer more color consistency than painted or stained materials like wood and vinyl. This feature also lends itself to less maintenance. With metal siding, you don’t need to worry about paint chipping or fading due to prolonged sun exposure. Metal plank siding will look consistent and require very little upkeep for years to come, meaning there’s no need to waste resources cleaning, repainting, or redoing the siding. 

In addition to being a sustainable material, metal plank siding is also preferred by home and business owners for its durability and fire resistance. Metal siding can withstand harsh climates, temperamental weather, and damage from structure fires or natural disasters. 

4. Bamboo Plywood is the Perfect Alternative to Hardwood

In recent years, bamboo has seen a burst of popularity in the construction industry due to its durability, fast growth, and affordable price tag. With all the same luster and dimension as other types of wood, bamboo plywood is an effective alternative to creating flooring, furniture, and cabinets. 

Green builders love using bamboo plywood because it is an incredibly sustainable building material. Bamboo is actually a type of grass that regrows using the existing root when the structure is cut down, which, in turn, allows for continuous growth without the need to plant new bamboo forests. This is an important component to using climate-smart forestry in your next construction project. 

Although technically a grass, plywood made from bamboo is often harder and stronger than hardwoods like hickory and oak, which can easily chip, dent, and become damaged. Additionally, bamboo plywood can be constructed in different colors and thicknesses, making it versatile enough to fulfill any project goals you might have. 

Getting Green with Your Building Materials 

When it comes to constructing sustainable and environmentally friendly homes, offices, and other buildings, it’s important to think about how you can use green materials today that will also help you reduce your carbon footprint in the future. By investing in eco-friendly materials like bamboo plywood and metal plank siding, you can help to reduce the need for new materials, minimize energy costs, and maximize your resources to help our planet thrive.

Susan Holmes is a freelance writer for the environmental industry. Susan is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes. Susan’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource launching in Fall 2022.