1. BAMBOO GREEN BUILDING MATERIAL:

Bamboo is serving to craft various components of buildings, both structural and non-structural. With a tensile strength of 28,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), bamboo is even stronger than steel (23,000 PSI) and 2 to 3 times stronger than hardwoods like oak. Historically bamboo culms were employed in rural communities for housing, scaffolding and footbridge construction.

It is a eco-friendly greenwood building materials. Its versatile applications included roof structures, doors, windows, walling, ceilings and even manhole covers. In contemporary construction engineered bamboo takes center stage. This involves the creation of prefabricated bamboo houses utilizing bamboo-based panels, veneers, and laminated boards. That’s why bamboo comes first in the list of green building material.

2. STRAW BALES:

Straw is a fiber obtained from nature as a by-product of agriculture. It is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and silica. Among straw bales, rice straw bales are considered to be the toughest ones due to high silica content. It has many advantages such as low cost, easy to install, cost efficiency and it is fully biodegradable. It has certain limitations such as high exposure to fire, thick wall width which means that most of the area is un-usable.

3. HEMPCRETE:

Hempcrete is a sustainable building material made from the inner woody fibers of the hemp plant, lime, and water. It’s known for its eco-friendly properties for green building material as hemp absorbs carbon dioxide during its growth. Additionally, hempcrete is lightweight and has good insulation properties contributing to a healthier indoor environment. However, it’s essential to consider local building regulations and availability of materials when considering hempcrete for construction.

4. EARTH BAGS:

Earthbags are filled with materials like soil or sand are used in construction to create environmentally friendly structures. This method is cost-effective and has lower environmental impact compared to traditional materials. Earthbag buildings often have good thermal mass and insulation properties reducing the need for additional heating or cooling. Proper design and construction techniques are crucial while constructing.

5. COB:

Cob is a natural building material composed of clay, sand, and straw, is recognized for its eco-friendly characteristics. This mixture forms a durable and fire-resistant material that requires minimal energy for production. Cob construction encourages the use of local and renewable resources.

6. RAMMED EARTH:

Rammed earth is compressing a mixture of earth, chalk, lime, or gravel between forms to create solid and durable walls. It has inherent insulation properties providing a certain level of natural thermal resistance. They have aesthetically pleasing appearance showcasing the natural textures and colours of the local soil.

7. ADOBE BRICKS (MUD BRICKS):

Adobe bricks are made from sun-dried mud and straw has a long history. They are energy-efficient to produce utilizing locally available materials. Adobe is durable and fire-resistant; it requires proper maintenance and protection from heavy rain to prevent erosion. In the end-of-life stage mud bricks are biodegradable and can return to the earth without causing long-term environmental harm.

8. MYCELIUM

Mycelium-based products are biodegradable which require minimal energy to produce and can be grown using agricultural waste. These materials have potential applications in insulation, packaging, and even structural components. It can be used as an alternative to traditional materials like foam and insulation.

9. STONE:

Natural stone is a natural product whose individual properties are determined by the type and bonding of the minerals comprising the natural stone. Natural stone is far more sustainable than other materials and is mother natures’ original green building material. Stone is considered a green building material due to its natural abundance, durability and low environmental impact during extraction.

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10. NATURAL CLAY:

Natural clay is a sustainable building material that has been used for centuries. It is abundant, locally available, and requires minimal processing thus reducing environmental impact. Clay has excellent thermal mass properties helping to regulate indoor temperatures naturally. Its versatility allows for various construction techniques including adobe and cob.

11. INSULATING CONCRETE FORMS (ICF):  

Insulating Concrete Forms is used as a building material mainly in low rise buildings of residential and commercial use.  It is a green material that is known for its durability and longevity.

12. 3D PRINTED CONCRETE:

3D printing allows for precise placement of concrete material, minimizing waste during the construction process. No formwork is needed while concreting thus reducing wastage. It saves the cost by 30% and reduces duration of construction period.

13. STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS (SIP):

SIPs consist of a foam core sandwiched between oriented strand board (OSB) or other structural facing materials. SIPs share the same structural properties as an I-beam or I-column. By reducing the amount of energy used for heating and cooling, SIPs can significantly cut the emissions produced by our homes and commercial buildings. It consumes less time in installation as it is directly available as ready to use the material. Buildings made by using SIPs are 40% more economically beneficial than traditional.

14. ENGINEERED WOOD:

The low cost of engineered wood is the most immediate benefits and the reason that it is so widely used. They tend to perform better as they have higher load-carrying abilities compared to solid wood of the same dimension. Engineered wood products are available in different variety of sizes and measurements like laminated veneer lumber, glued laminated timber, finger jointed lumber, oriental strand board etc.

15. PLANTS BASED POLYURATHENE:

This Polyurethane is made from hemp, kelp and bamboo, which makes it resilient to moisture and heat. The insulation products reduce the demand for the fossil fuel-based energy used to heat and cool buildings thereby reducing the harmful greenhouse gases associated with the production and transportation of these fuels.

16. FIBER CONCRETE:

The addition of fibres in small quantities lead to significant increase of the concrete strength and they are efficient in decreasing the crack’s width and spacing. Discrete steel fibre addition in concrete improves the compressive strength and strain at peak stress. In the case of ultra-high-performance concrete short steel fibre addition lead to higher flexural tensile strength compared to the case with longer steel fibres.

17. NON VOC PAINTS:

VOC means Volatile Organic Compounds. Non-VOC paints release fewer harmful chemicals into the air leading to better indoor air quality. They often have lower or no odour compared to traditional paints. Some non-VOC paints are made from renewable resources or recycled materials further reducing their environmental impact.

18. TIMBERCRETE:

Timbercrete is a building material that combines timber waste and concrete to create a composite material. This mixture results in a product that has properties of both wood and concrete. Timbercrete is generally lighter than traditional concrete which can have benefits in terms of transportation, handling, and overall construction.

19. THATCH:

Thatch is a traditional roofing material made from dried vegetation like straw, reeds, or grass. It is renewable, energy-efficient and often locally sourced. It provides natural insulation and promotes sustainability by reducing the need for more resource-intensive alternatives. However, it requires proper maintenance to prevent issues like rot or fire hazards.

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20. ASHCRETE:

Ashcrete refers to a concrete-like material that incorporates fly ash. The use of fly ash in concrete mixtures can sometimes reduce the need for Portland cement a material associated with high carbon emissions during production.

21. POLYSTYRENE AND ISOCYANURATE:

Both polystyrene and isocyanurate are derived from petrochemicals and their production involves energy-intensive processes.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a lightweight rigid plastic foam that is commonly used for insulation. It is often used in the form of boards or beads. Polyisocyanurate (ISO) is resistant to moisture, which can contribute to the longevity of the insulation.

22. RECYCLED STEEL:

Steel is a 100% recyclable metal which can be used for an unlimited number of times. Buildings made of steel can have a longer lifespan than those constructed with other materials. This longevity reduces the need for replacement or frequent maintenance. Steel offers a high degree of design flexibility allowing to create innovative and efficient structures.

23. CORK:

Cork is derived from the bark of cork oak trees. It is known for its renewable nature harvesting cork doesn’t harm the trees which continue to absorb carbon dioxide. Cork has excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties. Its lightweight nature makes it easy to transport reducing environmental impact. The availability and cost can vary according to the place.

24. NATURAL FIBRES:

Natural fibres derived from plants or animals can be used as green building materials in various applications.

Flax fibres are strong, durable and lightweight. They can be used to reinforce composites such as flax-reinforced polymers. Coconut coir is a byproduct of the coconut industry and is often used in the form of mats or blocks for insulation and soundproofing. It has good insulation properties, resistant to moisture and is biodegradable.

25. ORGANIC TILES:

Organic tiles are made from natural or organic materials. Terracotta tiles are made from fired clay. It is durable and its production involves firing clay, a process that has been used for centuries. Athangudi tiles also known as Chettinad tiles made from a mixture of local river sand, white cement, and marble powder. Linoleum tiles are made from natural materials such as linseed oil, cork dust, and wood flour.

26. SLATE:

Slate is a natural material that is quarried from the earth. When used as roofing material or flooring slate can have a lifespan of several decades, if not centuries. Slate requires minimal maintenance. Its resistance to weathering, water absorption, and resistance to mold and fungi.

27. CELLULOSE:

One of the primary applications of cellulose in construction is as an insulation material. Cellulose insulation is often made from recycled paper, cardboard or other plant-based fibres. Cellulose insulation can contribute to meeting the criteria for green building certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

28. FERROCK:

Ferrock is composed of a mix of recycled materials including steel dust (a byproduct of the steel industry) and other industrial waste materials. Instead of Portland cement which is a major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions Ferrock uses a calcium carbonate binder often derived from waste products like fly ash. Ferrock has the ability to absorb and trap carbon dioxide during its curing process and this mineralization process contributes to carbon sequestration.

29. GREEN ROOF:

A green roof also known as a living roof is a roofing system that incorporates vegetation, soil and a waterproofing membrane on the rooftop. There are two main types of green roofs: intensive and extensive. Drought-resistant and low-maintenance plants such as sedums and grasses are commonly used on green roofs.

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30. RECYCLED PLASTIC:

The last one in the list of top 30 greenwood building material is RECYCLED PLASTIC. Utilizing recycled plastic in construction reduces the demand for virgin plastic production conserving natural resources. Some construction materials use recycled plastic to create insulating panels. These panels can be used in walls, roofs, and floors. They are often lightweight making them easier to handle during construction.

So in this guide we discovered the top 30 greenwood building materials for sustainable construction projects. Hope you like it.