5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Traditional Home Building Materials
Whether it’s the first stage of the construction process or the final stage, we here at Lincoln Construction are dedicated to making the building process a positive experience every step of the way.
As experts in the construction field, our team is constantly conducting research on new building science, and we employ advanced technologies into every building project we take on… especially when it comes to choosing materials that are as good for your home as they are for the environment.
Here are 5 of our top-recommended eco-friendly alternatives to traditional home building materials:
Eco-Friendly Material #1: Recycled Steel
When it comes to building materials that are eco-friendly, recycled steel is one of our top choices. It’s resilient and durable and is energy-efficient, meaning that you save on energy costs over time.
In construction, steel is used to frame doors and windows because it doesn’t lose its properties when it is recycled.
Eco-Friendly Material #2: Cork
“Cork?!” you may be thinking.
Yes, cork! Corks are made of cork oak tree, one of the most environmentally friendly materials in the world, and are perfect for building ceiling panels, acoustic walls, and flooring. There was even a house built entirely of cork back in 2019.
Cork is a great building material because it is durable, moisture- and liquid-resistant, and vibration-absorbent. The next time you have a dinner party or another gathering, save your wine corks. In doing so, you’re helping fight global warming!
Eco-Friendly Material #3: Recycled Plastic
We talked about why recycled steel is a great choice for building earlier–now let’s take a look at why its counterpart, recycled plastic, is also an eco-conscious choice for building.
Activists for fighting global warming and cleaning up the planet have a strong incentive for doing so: the plastic items in landfills can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, plastic bags take 10 to 20 years, and plastic bottles take 450 years.
Recycled plastic is a strong and sturdy material, which is great for sound recall. Some companies create building materials out of recycled plastic, using a process that generates a lower level of greenhouse gas emissions by 95%.
Eco-Friendly Material #4: Clay Brick
Like cork, clay brick is a material that comes from the earth. Because of this, it’s eco-friendly and 100% free of toxic chemicals.
When it comes to energy efficiency, clay brick is one of the most resourceful materials. It keeps your home cool in the summer and traps the heat inside during the winter.
Eco-Friendly Material #5: Mycelium
Our final eco-friendly building material is mycelium. This is the vegetative ingredient of a fungus filament found underground.
Once dried, mycelium is a good choice for a building material because it is resistant to water, mold, and even fire!
Why You Should Consider Using Eco-Friendly Materials
The eco-friendly materials listed above are just a few of the many sustainable textiles you should consider for building projects. After all, using products that are environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient will make a difference to your pocketbook… and the planet!
Local retailers for these materials:
Have questions about eco-friendly alternatives to traditional home building materials? Drop us a line today.