Sustainable architecture has become a growing trend among home buyers. They want to reduce energy consumption, water use, and toxins in the air.
Fortunately, construction companies are constantly developing new materials that can address many of these ongoing challenges and help reduce a building’s carbon footprint. Read on to learn more about some of the latest sustainable building materials you can incorporate into your next build!
BioMASON
Eco-friendly homes reduce energy costs and help lessen harmful environmental impacts. They also last longer than their traditional counterparts, saving homeowners money on repairs and maintenance.
Biocement is a biodegradable alternative to Portland cement that eliminates 25% of the global carbon emissions associated with concrete production. Currently, the cement industry produces more CO2 than all but two nations (China and the U.S.) and it’s a problem we can’t ignore.
For this reason, Ginger Krieg Dosier founded bioMASON to develop a way to grow the building materials used in construction using bacteria instead of portland cement.
Ginger is a business strategist with extensive experience leading teams through product development lifecycles, from early research and development to customer deployment and revenue scale-up. She previously held leadership positions at Imec, Intel and DuPont and has worked with the US Department of Defense on a military application called Engineered Living Marine Cement (ELMc), as well as Project MEDUSA.
Photovoltaic Glass
Photovoltaic glass has the ability to transform a building into a vertical power generator, turning it into an alternative energy source that can feed into the grid. This technology has the potential to change how we look at buildings and their energy efficiency, which in turn can make a difference for the environment.
PV glass is an advanced building material that converts sunlight into electricity and can be used for a variety of architectural applications. It can be incorporated into skylights, canopies, curtain walls, ventilated facades, and walkable floors.
The market is expected to grow over the next few years. This is due to the increasing awareness about renewable energies and the growing demand for solar-powered homes.
Moreover, the use of this material is also being encouraged by governments around the world. This is because it reduces carbon emissions and guarantees energy cost savings.
Concrete Solutions
Concrete is one of the most common building materials in the world, and it’s a key contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, many companies are searching for ways to make concrete more eco-friendly.
One way to do this is by finding substitutes for cement, such as fly ash and slag. This can reduce carbon emissions by as much as 8%.
Another method is to use recycled aggregates instead of traditional concrete. This can reduce waste and the need for new materials to be created.
Using post-consumer glass is a great way to reduce waste, as it can easily replace up to 20% of the traditional aggregates in concrete.
In addition, researchers are working on geopolymers that can replace cement as a binder in concrete. This can reduce the carbon emissions from concrete production and increase the durability of the material.
Solid Wood
One of the most eco-friendly building materials that can be used in your home is solid wood. It has several benefits that make it a popular choice for many homeowners.
Aside from being environmentally-friendly, solid wood is also very durable and can last for generations to come. This is especially important if you plan on moving your furniture often and want it to hold up.
Another benefit of solid wood is that it is naturally a source of energy and can be harvested from sustainable forests. Unlike manufactured wood, which is made from chemicals and other toxic products, solid wood does not contain any harmful substances.
While engineered woods are cheaper than solid wood, they are not as durable and do not last as long. This is because the underlying layers of veneer or particle board can chip or crack easily.