While there is still a long way to go for everyone, there are sustainable materials you can use in construction. Investing in eco-friendly materials is arguably as important as using solar energy in construction. Once thought to be an incredibly wasteful industry, construction has made great strides in becoming greener.

There may still be a way to go, but progress is definitely being made! The demand for sustainable construction is surging and the green construction market will be worth over $770 billion by 2030.

Choose the Right Materials for Eco-Friendly Construction Projects

If you’re planning to build your own house, commissioning a commercial or industrial building and want to make less of an impact, you could try any of these 10 sustainable construction materials.

Reclaimed wood

Reclaimed wood is a very sustainable material. It can be kept in its original form, like furniture, worktops, kitchen cupboards, floorboards or roof beams, or turned into something else completely.

Reclaimed wood can be anything from recycling furniture all the way to reclaiming doors or using old wood in new homes. As it’s natural and replaceable, it’s a very sustainable material.

Wood has a unique character that’s too good to turn into firewood so reclaiming it adds character as well as sustainability.

Recycled steel

Recycled steel is another excellent sustainable construction material. It can also gain character as it ages and can be reused in its original form or turned into something new.

What’s more, steel can be infinitely recycled. Even galvanised steel and other types of steel can be reused or recycled as many times as we need.

It’s one of the few materials we know of that can be recycled without losing its efficiency. While energy-intensive to produce, once created, it can be used anywhere, for almost anything.

Reclaimed brick

Not all types of brick can be reclaimed, but some can. You’ll often see this in refurbishment, where a wall is taken down brick by brick rather than with a sledgehammer.

The brick can be tidied up and reused within feature walls or other areas. Unusable bricks can be broken down and used as filler or hardcore, so aren’t wasted either.

There are companies that specialise in nothing more than recycling bricks and can provide them in sufficient volumes for most projects.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a sustainable construction material because it’s natural and grows quickly. It’s also completely biodegradable and looks amazing, so is an excellent choice in many applications.

Bamboo is a niche construction material for sure, but it’s a very sustainable one.

It is used across Asia in everything from roofs, walls, scaffold, mats, carpet, doors and many other things. As it grows so fast, you could replace an entire bamboo forest in 3-5 years, which is why it’s so sustainable.

Recycled plastic

Recycled plastic can be used in wall and floor insulation, garden products and some more innovative new building materials. There are a range of kitchen and bathroom products around, as well as more innovative products on the way.

Anything we can use to reduce the amount of plastic out there is a good thing. While plastic itself isn’t evil, single use plastic is. Many new materials recycle single use plastics.

Given that it can take thousands of years for plastic to naturally biodegrade, anything we do to recycle plastic is a good thing!

Hay or straw

Hay and straw have been used as construction materials since time immemorial. It’s natural, fast growing and has decent insulation qualities, which is why it’s still used today.

The material can be used as insulation, thatched roof material, mixed with plaster, compressed into ceiling and wall panels, turned into garden mulch and a whole lot more.

Then you have cob, which is an ancient building material made of mud and straw. It’s experiencing something of a resurgence right now too!

Wool insulation

Wool is another natural material that grows quickly, can be infinitely harvested and has excellent insulation qualities. That makes it the perfect sustainable construction material.

It is used across construction, from wall and roof insulation to creating carpets, mats, curtains, soft furnishings and other materials.

At a time when insulation is more important than ever, demand is strong for wool and wool insulation.

Hempcrete

Hempcrete is made from lime and the hemp plant. Like bamboo, hemp is natural, fast growing and sustainable. We have used it in rope for hundreds of years, as well as many other applications.

Hempcrete can be used in place of concrete in many areas of construction. Mainly building walls in new homes or within refurbishments.

We aren’t seeing hempcrete so much in commercial projects yet, except in gardens or outside, but it is becoming steadily more popular.

Recycled rubber

Recycled rubber can be reused in a number of applications, primarily in surfaces. Both natural and synthetic rubber can be recycled, but natural rubber is more sustainable.

You’ll see recycled rubber used in playground surfaces, those soft touch surfaces in sports grounds and some floor tiles.

Recycled rubber, like plastic, is an area that’s seeing a lot of development. Hopefully soon, we’ll have many more sustainable construction materials made of recycled rubber.

Timbercrete

Timbercrete is a relatively new sustainable construction material composed of sawdust and concrete. The sawdust replaces some of the less sustainable elements of concrete, lowering the environmental impact.

The end result can be used as bricks, blocks and paving slabs that offer very similar properties to standard blocks.

Like hempcrete, you’ll see timbercrete mainly in small construction projects right now. But with increasing popularity and production, it could soon be used in commercial projects.

Green Building Materials Can Be Very Beneficial in Construction

So, there you go, 10 sustainable construction materials you can use for almost any building project.

It’s good to see so many sustainable building materials being made available with similar or better qualities than what we’re used to. We can’t wait to see what’s in store over the coming years!

The post Top 10 Sustainable Construction Materials You Can Use In 2022 appeared first on Green Building Insider.

New building materials and methods are created every year, and the trend of utilizing sustainable building materials has been on the rise as adoption has accelerated. As a result, companies of all sizes are increasingly choosing sustainable alternatives across all aspects of new / legacy buildings and corporate workplaces and reaping the benefits in multiple dimensions. With this rapid evolution, new data supporting standards and regulations are required to help with purchasing decisions and verify manufacturer claims.

Sustainable materials continue to become more cost-effective as time goes on, and in parallel, they are significantly better for the environment in the long run. There’s been a lot of discussion about whether or not using sustainable materials is worth the required sourcing due diligence on the front-end of the exploration. However, the following are a few primary reasons why sustainable building materials matter and why you should consider partnering with enterprises driving eco-friendly impact in 2022.

Environmental Protection

The world and its ecosystem are in a fragile state, as climate change is worsening. With growing commerce industries and residential neighborhoods encroaching on natural habitats and polluting the air, nature has taken a hit. During the recent pandemic, as people were driving much less, society experienced the closure of many factories. Reciprocally, we saw consistent positive improvements in our collective impact on harmful emissions into the environment. We’re now at a crucial point in the human/nature relationship. There is a way to maintain balance without giving up on industry and innovation with proper care and dedication.

Building with sustainable materials like natural stones is one way to maintain the balance alive, while continuing to grow – and trusted third parties (such as GreenCircle Certified) are becoming reliable points of accountability to ensure certification standards are upheld in the process. Saving the economy doesn’t mean giving up on expansion; it just means finding new innovative ways to create and innovate. 

Companies that build with sustainable materials demonstrate to their employees, customers, clients, and partners committed to keeping the planet healthy. As increasingly more businesses and consumers are educated on this topic and purposefully seek out companies with this mindset, this ultimately leads to increased satisfaction, along with revenue and profits.

Increased Durability and Style

Most sustainable building materials are meant to last, so these materials aren’t just sustainable for the environment. But also for the experiences that these products and buildings serve. Examples such as natural woods, bamboo, and cork are heavy-duty materials that can withstand most of what life throws at them. Not only do they hold up well, but they often provide enhanced aesthetics and are more appealing than plastic. In addition, products made with sustainability at the core often strike a compelling balance when high-quality engineering meets innovative ergonomic designs – following is a great example: the Humanscale Cinto.

Maintaining Affordability

Architects, developers, planners, contractors, installers, and facility managers all serve at the intersection of this green movement to design and build our future buildings and work environments of tomorrow. The concept of building with sustainable materials is becoming the centerpiece of our future.

Dynamic software platforms such as Ecomedes are helping enterprises identify suppliers and manufacturers that increase durability, enhance sustainability, and create affordability Scaling with green building materials is a critical part in the global initiative supporting the circular economy, as many sustainable materials reduce energy costs over time as well. 

Enterprises no longer need to decide on reducing costs or purchasing sustainable products and materials – companies can now certainly have both and trust in solutions that are good for business, profit, and for humanity.

The post Sustainable Building Materials Are Vital to Modern Construction appeared first on Green Building Insider.

As the market for eco-friendly buildings continues to grow, more trends are going to be observed. One of the biggest trends is the use of new eco-friendly materials. This is going to continue to shape the future of sustainable construction.

Precast concrete is one of the materials that is used in a lot of green building projects. More contractors will need to learn about this material and use it accordingly.

Precast Concrete Changes the Future of Sustainable Construction

Construction techniques and technologies have developed over the past few years. These technologies were aimed at increasing the overall scale of construction projects. Furthermore, these developments have also improved cost-effectiveness while minimizing safety risks. However, with climate change, construction techniques and technologies now also have to be environmentally friendly.

Infrastructure projects involving the use of precast concrete seem to be one of these developments. This particular technique involves the installation of premade concrete walls and panels onto a construction site, which come in different shapes and sizes, such as the L shape concrete retaining wall or the U shape concrete retaining wall. The following factors make precast concrete an environmentally sustainable option for any large-scale infrastructure project.

It safeguards the installation area’s surroundings.

As mentioned, precast concrete walls and panels are installed within the construction site. There are a number of benefits of using them. They are premade walls created by pouring concrete onto a mold in a separate facility. They are then transported as finished products on-site and installed. This bypasses other steps and improves work efficiency in finishing the construction. Environmentally, the process eliminates further excavations that would have been necessary if the walls were to be made on the site itself. It then protects the surrounding landscape, preventing the needless destruction of the terrain and wildlife in the area.

Entails recycling

Precast concrete involves the usage of molds. It improves overall product quality and ensures that all walls and panels are the same. In addition, this eliminates irregularities that may occur when pouring concrete onto a site vulnerable to various natural factors. Furthermore, the molds used in preparing the precast concrete fit heavy-duty factory use and last over time. Thus, these can be used again and again.

Process eliminates waste

The concrete poured into the molds includes materials and components outside its five main ingredients: cement, air, water, sand, and gravel. Supplementary additions can be found in landfills and can strengthen the concrete. Through this construction technique, items that people would otherwise waste on the trash heap are repurposed and used to support built structures. 

Aside from eliminating waste in the concrete-making process, waste is also reduced in the construction site itself. Precast walls and panels are delivered as final products ready to be installed within the ground. Therefore, any waste generated on-site will only come from the installation process. Waste generated from the finished products delivered would have already been taken care of in the facility where they were produced. Conversely, a construction project not involving precast concrete will have to deal with waste produced by pouring the concrete into the site itself.

Conclusion

There are a number of trends facing the eco-friendly construction sector in 2022. One of them is the shift towards the use of precast concrete.

Construction involving the use of precast concrete is a cost-effective and time-saving process that utilizes walls and panels premade in facilities. The process is also environmentally friendly and should be used for large-scale construction projects. Hopefully, everyone will take the benefits mentioned above into consideration as they will do wonders for any business and the environment.

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One product that eco-friendly building professionals should be aware of is a stretch wrap pallet. Keep reading to learn more about stretch wrap pallets and their role in sustainable building projects.

The Importance of Stretch Wrap Pallets for Eco-Friendly Building Projects

Stretch wrap pallet, a plastic film that is incredibly stretchable, usually made of LLDPE wrapped around objects. The elastic recovery clings to the part tightly.

Stretch film is used to wrap and secure pallets. To help minimize material waste, avoid disruption to loads, and eliminate worker accidents. The reduction in material waste plays a big role in helping ensure contracting projects are eco-friendly. In our blog post, we go into greater detail about the purpose of stretch film. There are numerous widths, thicknesses, and stretch film configurations available.

The following section discusses the two most popular types of stretch film extrusion for green building projects. The process of extrusion is used to create stretch films and a variety of other flexible plastic products. Visit our website for more details on the extrusion method.

It is also known as cast stretch wrap. It is manufactured using the cast extrusion technique. The casting extrusion procedure is a continuous process that involves melting a thermoplastic material and extruding it onto a chill roll using a flat die that has been softened and re-solidified. This technique makes the Cast stretch film more visible, requires less force to stretch, increases tear efficiency, allows the film to sit quietly on the devices, and provides improved cling. As a result, stretch film is suitable for both computerized and manual grading.

Advantages in Cast Stretch Film Cast stretch film: Itis less expensive than exploded stretch film and is thus more prevalent due to its reduced manufacturing costs. Consumers will also display packaged objects due to increased illumination. In contrast to blown stretch wrap, cast stretch wrap relaxes quietly. In addition, cast stretch film has a double-sided cling, which allows for safe packaging.

Disadvantages of Cast Stretch Film: It does not have the power source that exploded stretch film does. Furthermore, cast stretch film exhibits fewer resistance and memory than blown stretch film.

The burst stretch cover is often referred to as the stretch wrap pallet. The vertical die of the ring slit extrudes this plastic melt to build a thin wall tube. Air is blown through the film tube in the shape of a ball through a crack in the die’s middle. A cooling air ring circulates the film tunnel. As a result of this method, the blown film is more robust and challenging than the cast film. Additionally, the exploded film’s superior technical properties usually result in more substantial holding power.

The benefits of a blown stretch wrap: Include increased load capacity and extensibility. The blown stretch film is a high-end production. Until prolonged, blown stretch film has a higher memory level, which helps preserve product loads. Additionally, increased tear resistance is advantageous when securing loads with sharp boundaries.

Disadvantages of Blown Stretch Wrap – Increased processing costs: The blown stretch wrap is opaque due to the crystallization process. Additionally, the blown film is often very disruptive when rolls are unwound.

Manual vs. Automatic wrappers:

• Manual (or hand) wrappers:

Extended heart: An expansion of the film’s center serves as a wrapping stick, providing less strength and making the handwork harder.

A simple mechanism protects a film roll, as well as a mechanical braking unit that provides power to allow the film to be extended.

Polar wraps: identical to mechanical braking mechanisms, but they are located at the end of a stretched shaft. The roll and brake are configured ergonomically to eliminate the need for stretching to wrap loads and strains to reach load tops.

Wrappers that reach for the hands. Two lead rollers for the stretch film have a mechanical portion on this one-handed wrapping product at varying speeds.

Windows that operate semi-automatically:

Turntable wrappers: With these options, the box will be packed is supported by a tower that rotates the load compared to the roll of film. The tower is placed inside of a carriage that can be moved to and from a stabilized mast. The load will be extended by rotating it faster than the film can be fed.

A carriage is used to store the film on a vertical ring in orbital wrappers. The load is fed into the rotating eye, and a film is fixed to it. An orbital stretch wrapper is a kind of horizontal ring structure in which the load is fixed. In comparison, a horizontal ring is rotated around the load. It is pulled vertically up and down about it, similar to a rotary arm stretch wrapper.

Rotary arm wrappers: The load is going to be stationary as a arm rotates around it. This system is ideal for loads with lower weights or those with speeds where the load can collapse due to the fast rotational speeds.

• Winding devices that operate automatically:

Typical fully automated rotary ring wrappers

Automatic wrappers are usually semi-automatic versions of semi-automatic devices. The automated wrappers incorporate a conveyor mechanism that automatically loads, seals, and supports the film on the wrapping machine and automatic devices.

Turntable wrappers: The box to be packed is supported by a tower that rotates the load compared to the film roll. The tower is placed in a carriage that can be moved to and from a fixed mast. Extending the load is achieved by rotating it faster than the film is fed.

Rotary arm wrappers: The load remains stationary as a rotating arm surrounds it. This system is used for light loads or speeds that allow the load to collapse due to the fast rotational speeds.

Rotary ring wrappers: With these types of wrappers, the film is contained in a carriage on a horizontal ring that rotates around the container. It is raised and lowered concerning the load. Additionally, the rotary ring technique is a better balanced solution that requires minor wear and upkeep than other wrapping techniques. Additionally, this wrapper can operate at a total capacity (as many as 160 pallets per hour).

Stretch Wrap Pallets Are Important for Eco-Friendly Construction

There are a number of important tools that eco-friendly building professionals should have in their arsenal. Stretch wrap pallets are some of the most overlooked. You should use them to your full advantage as a green building professional.

The post A Full Guide on Stretch Wrap Pallet for Sustainable Contractors appeared first on Green Building Insider.

More homeowners and renters want sustainable abodes, and business owners desire increased revenue from energy-saving buildings. Building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM and Green Globes grow in recognition as contractors dive into sustainability head-first. The construction industry is listening to the public’s concerns, and they’re rapidly adapting to address these points.

The energy-intensive materials of yesteryear have faded in favor among environmentalists, and the general public is following. Attractive and sustainable solutions swoop in to replace them. Though many ideas exist — some current and some old — the construction industry favors a few in particular. Here is a list of seven sustainable building materials construction companies often use.

1. Bamboo

Bamboo resists pests and disease, making it a stress-free option for building owners — no termites means fewer bills to pay. It’s more durable than concrete, providing a sturdy structure for frames and walls. Bamboo’s lightweight quality makes foreign transportation less fuel-intensive, although there are a few species native to North America. It also grows quickly, which allows for abundant harvesting — some types shoot up to three feet within 24 hours.

Green buildings often feature bamboo in flooring, walls and cabinets. In locations with limited access to steel, builders use it to reinforce concrete slabs, adding an extra layer of strength.

2. Reclaimed Wood

Rustic chic enthusiasts, this one is for you. Building with reclaimed wood involves reusing preexisting wood and restructuring it for a new purpose. If you’ve been to a vintage store, you’ve seen plenty of dressers and chests made of this material. Contractors find it equally convenient for construction projects, as it provides durability along with charm and low cost.

Reclaimed wood possesses a lower embodied energy than fresh wood because it doesn’t undergo the cutting and curing process. A percentage of lumber is always lost during cutting, but this can go towards creating engineered wood. Reclaimed wood also decreases deforestation and allows trees to grow to proper maturity before their eventual harvest.

You’ll most often find reclaimed wood in support beams, countertops, shelving and flooring.

3. Precast Concrete

Precast concrete slabs are recyclable — construction workers make them with locally mined or recycled materials. Their production requires less energy than pouring concrete on-site, and they offer fewer chances for structural cracks and errors. These slabs arrive at construction sites according to predetermined specifications, which saves a tremendous amount of time and energy. Efficiency is a requirement at many construction sites, and precast concrete fits the bill.

The strength of concrete slabs functions well in constructing bridges, underground infrastructure and pavement. Along with its toughness and fire resistance, it also absorbs sound, making it ideal for places like libraries and hospitals.

4. Cork

Now you can have the perfect home aesthetic to match your wine collection — who would’ve thought? Construction companies commonly use cork as a flooring solution, though it also works as insulation. It’s fire-resistant, impenetrable and liquid-proof, which saves the hassle of constant upkeep. It also has excellent thermal and acoustic absorption, making it for great blocking out sound and holding in heat.

Cork grows on trees that regenerate their bark, which leaves them healthy and ready for the next harvest. These trees primarily exist in the Mediterranean, which can make fossil fuel emissions higher. It makes up for this with its lightness, though, by reducing the energy needed for transport.

5. Steel

Metal is one of the most durable building materials of them all. You see it in towering skyscrapers, winding railroad tracks and sturdy bridges every day. The possibilities of this material are endless, and luckily, steel doesn’t require a ton of energy to produce. The carbon footprint of steelmaking has decreased by 37% since 1990, and engineers continually find ways to streamline the process.

Once a metal structure reaches the end of its purpose, builders can deconstruct it and recycle it for new initiatives. Steel is unique in its ability to be reused forever. Ninety-three percent of structural steel in the U.S. consists of recycled metal, which proves how versatile this material is.

6. Non-VOC Paint

Many paints and varnishes contain chemicals called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are irritating at best and deadly at worst, and their concentration rises indoors. Before you give up your painting hobby for good, though, know that non-VOC paints exist. Developers are starting to use these inside green buildings instead of toxic paints. You’ll also find an abundance of low-VOC varnishes at your local department stores, but this label can be ambiguous. How much is “low” without a specific number?

Using non-toxic paint can even reduce the need to run the AC to cycle chemicals out of the air, which saves money and energy.

7. Wool

Sheep’s wool serves as a common substitute for more toxic insulation types. It grows faster than cotton — meaning higher production — and it doesn’t degrade like straw does. The most sustainable manufacturing processes come from New Zealand. Water efficiency, flock health and energy conservation are paramount on New Zealand sheep farms. The nation’s care and attention to detail has secured their position as a giant in the wool making industry.

Head to the nearest home goods store, and you’ll likely find a wool rug or two. It’s become a favorable solution for rugs and carpeting due to its ability to purify indoor air. Wool absorbs nasty particles and contaminants and prevents them from reentering the atmosphere, leaving you with cleaner oxygen.

Constructing Greener Futures Through Innovation

Green building materials prove their durability and efficiency in countless ways. More construction companies and consumers will reap the benefits of sustainable building as businesses make the switch. Soon, it’ll be commonplace to uphold eco-friendly initiatives in the comfort of your home.

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