Sustainable Construction Materials: Reviewing the top material choices for green construction

With the construction industry responsible for 37% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, using sustainable building materials is much more than a passing trend. Traditional materials like concrete, steel, and aluminum require large amounts of energy to produce and rob the environment of valuable resources that are difficult to replace. Green design and building practices focused on efficiency, reuse, durability, and high quality are the keys to addressing this formidable challenge.

Sustainable construction materials have emerged in various forms to replace traditional components while making buildings more energy-efficient and less expensive to complete. In many cases, these materials are also lightweight, non-toxic, and aesthetically pleasing, which makes their use a win-win for architects, designers, and the millions of people who occupy their creations.

Below is an overview of the top 15 green building materials!

Top 15 Sustainable Building Materials

The list of eco-friendly building materials grows longer daily as scientists develop new technologies and construction professionals find innovative ways to use (or reuse) existing products. The best green materials combine the benefits of science, nature, and thinking outside the box.    

1. Bamboo

An unusual combination of strength, flexibility, and rapid growth has made bamboo one of the most sustainable building materials available for thousands of years. Bamboo is often used for scaffolding, roofing, and supporting structures, but it’s also ideal for flooring and other aesthetic applications. Bamboo absorbs a high amount of CO₂ as it grows, adding to the list of benefits of this versatile, all-natural material. 

2. Recycled plastics

While new plastic products are generally minimized in sustainable construction, recycled plastic presents an opportunity to reduce cost and environmental impact simultaneously. Plastics are generally resistant to moisture, corrosion, and wear and tear, which makes them an excellent option for external components like siding and decking or internal elements like flooring, countertops, and wall panels.

3. Bendable concrete

Bendable concrete, also known as engineered concrete, is one of the prime examples of sustainable materials that lower carbon emissions in multiple ways. Bendable concrete products incorporate polymer fibers and carbon dioxide infusions, allowing to utilize sequestered CO2 from other applications. The high ductility and tensile strength of bendable concrete products also means they require less resource-intensive repairs or replacement.

4. Mycelium

Mycelium is a mushroom-based material that can be used to produce durable, fire-resistant bricks, fabric, panels, and other common building materials. Mycelium products are completely biodegradable, and their production is carbon-negative, meaning the overall product lifecycle removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it produces.

5. Mass timber

Lumber products in the mass timber category are produced by bonding together various types of softwood to create a durable and eco-friendly hardwood substitute. Mass timber’s appearance and mechanical properties make it an excellent choice for structural (frame) and interior applications. The lumber used to create mass timber products is harvested from sustainably managed forests and abundant, fast-growing tree species.

6. Precast concrete

As the name implies, precast concrete is molded or cast into shape before being transported to the construction site. Precise mixing and curing processes in the factory reduce material consumption and waste, while off-site pouring reduces the amount of unused material. Automated smart factories make precast concrete manufacturing more efficient, just as the prefabricated beams, slabs, walls, and panels speed up construction to minimize the project’s overall environmental impact.

7. 3D printed concrete

One emerging digital construction technology that is being utilized for both precast and on-site concrete fabrication is 3D printing. Like precasting, 3D printing methods provide more precise control over the mixture and amount of concrete consumed. Nearly unlimited forms and patterns also allow lighter and stronger structures to be created more easily, with much less energy consumed by heavy equipment during construction.

8. Hempcrete

The unique properties of the hemp plant lend themselves to everything from clothing and wallets to eco-friendly plastic substitutes and sustainable materials in construction. The inner core of the hemp plant, when mixed with water and lime, produces a lightweight, fire-resistant, and durable building material known as hempcrete, which has grown in popularity for the exterior cladding, breathable walls, and insulating floor slabs found in sustainable building projects.

9. Cob

This natural building material, made from a combination of soil, straw, water, and lime, originated in Europe over 500 years ago. Ancient builders may not have realized that cob was also an outstanding insulating material and required significantly less CO₂ to produce than concrete. These factors have contributed to a 21st-century revival of cob as one of the top sustainable construction materials for interior and exterior walls.

10. Cork

While the insulating properties, buoyancy, and durability of cork are obvious, it is also a moisture, mold, and fire-resistant material. This advantageous combination of physical properties makes cork an appropriate plastic substitute for applications like acoustic ceiling panels and building expansion joints. Cork is also highly renewable and can be harvested from cork oak trees every 10-12 years without harming them.

11. Reclaimed wood

Many abandoned, condemned, or demolished wooden buildings and barns provide an opportunity to reduce material costs while preventing new lumber from being harvested unnecessarily. Despite its age and previous use, reclaimed wood is often durable lumber harvested from old-growth forests, which can retain its strength and aesthetic appeal for centuries.

12. Recycled tires

Hundreds of millions of auto tires are discarded each year worldwide, and many simply end up in dumps or landfills. This immense waste becomes less significant when builders find creative uses for recycled tires, such as flooring, landscaping, and playgrounds. The raw materials found in most tires can also be added to asphalt mixtures to reduce material consumption while creating a fitting new purpose for end-of-life tires.

13. Recycled steel

Steel remains one of the most used construction materials due to its combination of strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Still, new steel production also emits large amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Since steel retains its desirable properties indefinitely, it makes good business and environmental sense to leverage recycled or reclaimed steel products for construction whenever possible.

14. Sheep’s wool

Wool has been recognized for centuries as a renewable and biodegradable resource for clothing and textiles that can be harvested without hurting animals. The insulating properties of sheep’s wool have also created a new category of eco-friendly building materials, with applications including vapor barriers and attic, pipe, and duct insulation products.

15. Stone

The oldest known sustainable building material is still one of the best. Stone is abundant, durable, fully salvageable, and requires minimal chemical additives during fabrication. With a centuries-old reputation as an aesthetically pleasing building material, natural stone also has insulating properties that make it suitable for many energy-efficient, sustainable building projects.

Benefits of Using Sustainable Construction Materials

The list of sustainable materials in buildings and other structures includes a unique mixture of new-age technology and old-world simplicity. Given the diversity of eco-friendly products, using these materials together or independently brings many compelling advantages.

Cost reduction

Sustainable building materials reduce expense through both their fabrication and performance. The focus on durability and reuse reduces materials costs in the short term, while exceptional insulating properties and other physical characteristics combine to improve building operating efficiency and lifespan.

Energy conservation

Energy consumption is a primary consideration for green building materials throughout the building’s life. For example, materials like cob, cork, and hempcrete require less energy to produce than many traditional options while also contributing to a more energy-efficient building design. 

Occupant health

An additional requirement for sustainable construction materials is the absence of chemicals or substances like asbestos, lead, and phthalates that can be harmful to building occupants and the environment. Natural materials and settings also create more peaceful environments that help to improve overall well-being.

Increased value

The high demand for sustainable buildings and workspaces creates a financial incentive for using sustainable materials in construction. Reduced utility bills, building durability, and the emphasis on eye-catching aesthetics shared by many green structures are attractive features for many potential buyers, investors, and tenants.

Conclusion

Sustainable building practices rely on innovative materials and design practices to create structures that positively contribute to the environment. Estimating the impact of material choices on the project budget can motivate companies to see the financial and environmental benefits of making sustainable material choices. Software is fundamental to providing the necessary knowledge and tools to make the best decisions.

RIB CostX, our carbon estimating software, offers powerful features to help companies in the building industry estimate the carbon emissions of different material choices, construction methods, and other elements to mitigate the overall financial impact of the project.

By emphasizing sustainability, efficiency, and on-time delivery, RIB CostX empowers teams worldwide to transform how they manage and complete their projects. Get your free demo today to discover the full potential for yourself!