Sustainable building materials when building a house

Sustainability has become a key focus in real estate developments, influencing eco-friendly construction practices and energy-efficient designs. The construction sector inherently is a major consumer of natural resources, which pushes the need to adopt better strategies to minimise the environmental impact. The use of eco-friendly construction materials can help achieve sustainability. Moreover, some materials are durable, require less maintenance, and may even save significant costs, which is a major advantage. If you are planning to construct a house, consider these sustainable building materials.

What are sustainable building materials?

In real estate, sustainable materials are derived from renewable resources and can be recycled. Some of the main characteristics of sustainable materials are:

• Durability
• Energy efficient
• Easy to maintain
• Economical
• Low carbon footprint
• Minimum wastage
• Non-toxic

Alternatives to concrete

The main issue with traditional concrete is the high emissions. However, there are some good alternatives to traditional concrete that minimise environmental impact:

• Aerated concrete: It is a lightweight construction material made by adding air to concrete. It provides good insulation and fire resistance.
• Earth blocks: These are made from compressed earth, which can be used to build walls. Earth blocks are known to be durable and energy efficient.
• Recycled plastic waste: Discarded plastic waste is emerging as a popular alternative to concrete in building construction.
• Aggregate replacement: Concrete is made by mixing cement, aggregates and water. Besides alternatives to cement, the fine and coarse aggregates in the mixture can be replaced with alternative materials such as glass, plastic, rubber, paper, fly ash clay, etc.

Eco-friendly roofing materials

Quality roofing material is crucial in house construction to protect a building from harsh weather elements and prevent water leakage that can damage the property. Some sustainable roofing options are:

• Metal roof: Meta is durable, inexpensive, and energy-efficient, and it can last for decades.
• Bamboo: Flattened bamboo can be made into roofing shingles, which is an excellent sustainable material.
• Recycled shingles: Used shingles can be repurposed into new asphalt singles.
• Clay tiles: This is one of the naturally available, low-maintenance materials for roofing, which can also add great visual appeal to modern homes.
• White roofs (cool roofs): A light-coloured or white-coloured roof of any material is known as a cool roof, which helps bring a cooling effect to the house, thereby minimising energy consumption.
• Corrugated roofing: Corrugated roofs, usually made of steel coils designed into a wavy pattern, are versatile and durable materials that can withstand harsh climatic conditions. It is widely used for garages, siding, flooring and porch design.
• Rubber roofing: Reinforced rubber shingles made from old steel-belted tyres can be used for roofing. It can last for around 50 years.

Sustainable flooring materials

Choosing sustainable materials can make the flooring durable and easy to maintain, promoting sustainable living.

• Bamboo: This is a sustainable and inexpensive alternative to hardwood flooring.
• Terrazzo: It is a composite material made from chips of marble, granite, glass and other materials.
• Natural stone: Granite, marble, slate, etc. are some timeless and sustainable flooring options for Indian homes.
• Laminated wood: Laminated wood flooring comprises a top layer of real wood, with HDF core and a back layer. This is a sustainable option over real wood flooring.

Non-toxic paints and finishes

The toxic chemicals used in paints and various finishes can have an adverse effect on human health as they release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These cause indoor air pollution and pose health risks such as respiratory issues, irritation of the skin and eyes, etc. The most common toxic components are VOCs, lead and other heavy metals.

Natural paints can be made from organic materials such as:

• Plant oils
• Resins
• Mineral dyes
• Beeswax

Sustainable doors and windows

Doors and windows are an integral part of a building. An efficient door or window contributes to effective insulation. The choice of quality and eco-friendly material will make the doors and windows sustainable. Some materials to consider are:

• Recycled aluminum: The material is durable, recyclable and energy efficient. It is ideal for designing windows.
• Sustainably sourced wood: Wood sourced without any environmental impact can be a renewable and biodegradable material for building construction.
• Composite materials: Composite materials, usually comprised of a blend of materials such as wood fibres and plastic, are known to be durable, easy to maintain and eco-friendly.
• Fibreglass: Fibreglass windows do not expand or contract with changes in temperature.

Energy-efficient insulation materials

Insulation is essential to minimise the heat loss or gain in the house. The use of sustainable materials for insulation can help save energy while reducing costs. Some of the eco-friendly materials that can be used for insulation are:

• Cellulose insulation: Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper products. It has a high level of recycled material content, around 80% to 82%.
• Sheep wool: Sheep wool is treated with borate and is resistant to pests, fire and mould.
• Spray foam insulation: This eco-friendly insulation material with low VOCs provides effective heat and thermal insulation while minimising air leakage.

Water-efficient fixtures and plumbing materials

The use of water-efficient fixtures can contribute to water conservation. Sustainable plumbing utilises a combination of green building materials and enhanced technology.

• Copper piping: It is a popular plumbing material known for its durability, corrosion resistance and sustainability.
• PEX piping: Known as cross-linked polyethylene pipe, PEX piping is a durable and versatile plumbing material.
• Rainwater harvesting systems: Rainwater harvesting systems used to store and collect rainwater can be made from various sustainable materials such as recycled plastics for storage tanks, clay, stone, and other natural materials for filtration systems.

Sustainable landscaping

Sustainable landscaping involves using a low-maintenance design that helps conserve water and requires no fertilisers or pesticides. Some sustainable landscaping design ideas include:

• Erosion control technique using terrace gardens, rain gardens and retaining walls
• Growing native plants with deep root systems
• Designing green roofs or vertical gardens to boost energy efficiency
• Reusing soils from excavation for new landscaping

Housing.com News Viewpoint

Using sustainable materials in construction is a step towards resource conservation and reduced carbon emissions. Besides sustainable materials, considering features such as natural lighting or the use of LED lighting and smart technology can collectively contribute to sustainable living.

FAQs