Emerging Eco-Materials For Construction - 221012 - 091338

10 ECO BUILDING MATERIALS
REVOLUTIONIZING HOME CONSTRUCTION

1.RAMMED EARTH
Earth construction is one of the oldest durable techniques for building structures. Think Great Wall
of China! These days, it can be seen in luxury homes creating dramatic and durable walls which
resemble sedimentary rock.
Rammed earth walls (or even floors) can be used as thermal storage, allowing the sun to warm them
in the day and then slowly release the warmth in the cool evenings.
This low-carbon technique uses forms in which soil and binder is placed in layers and then pressure
is applied to create a hard and durable surface. And now, Watershed Materials have put this
technique into their Watershed Block, which is a replacement for conventional concrete
masonry. These blocks use waste materials from quarries to create a low or even zero cement blocks
which can be installed by any mason.
2.STRAW BALE
Everything old is new again! The pioneers used straw bale construction for their homes in the Great
Plains. Now this technique has been updated for the 21st century.
Straw bales are made from the waste of the agricultural industry. It is a substitute for lumber and still
sequesters carbon. Just be aware that the walls will be thicker than a conventional stick frame home.
These thick well insulated walls offer a very high R Value. Contrary to what you might believe,
straw bale homes are resistant to fire and can match your favorite aesthetic.
David Arkin, director of the nonprofit California Straw Building Association (CASBA), sums it
up “People will be impressed with how comfortable these homes are. The buildings keep warmer in
winter and cooler in summer.”
Straw-bale and Watershed Block home, Photo by Edward Caldwell, Courtesy of Arkin Tilt
Architects.
3.BAMBOO
Bamboo just might be the perfect sustainable alternative to wood. Although it resembles wood
aesthetically, bamboo is actually a member of the grass family — meaning bamboo regenerates
extremely quickly as compared to trees. In fact, bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on the
planet — depending on the type of bamboo and the region, sometimes up to 3 feet per day!
It’s not just the speedy growth rate that makes bamboo sustainable. For construction purposes,
bamboo can be harvested up to every 3 years; in contrast, trees can only be harvested every 25-50
years (depending on the tree species). The rise in popularity of bamboo has helped allow forests to
regenerate, and will continue to do so.
Bamboo is a sustainable alternative in many different applications, such as tiles, trim &
flooring, lumber, countertops, decking.
4.WOOL INSULATION
There are a number of different companies now offering sheep wool insulation. At Black Mountain
USA, insulation can be purchased in rolls and batts, much like fiberglass insulation. Yet wool has a
10% greater insulating factor and is able to absorb, retain and release moisture and still keep its
thermal properties. You will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Caragreen explains how wool can improve your indoor air quality by pulling harmful chemicals such
as formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide out of the air. They carry Havelock
Wool insulation in batt and also loose fill. Wool is also naturally flame resistant, sound deadening,
non-toxic, and biodegradable at end of life.
The manufacturing process for wool insulation, is sustainable in production, safer in installation (no
“space suits” needed), superior in its useful life. And when it reaches end of life, wool insulation is
compostable.
5.SOLAR IS GORGEOUS GREEN
.TESLA SOLAR TILES

RENEWABLE CLEAN ENERGY WITH CURB APPEAL
Gone are the days of bolting dinner-table-sized panels to your roof in order to experience the benefits
of solar energy. Solar roof shingles are small, custom shingles designed to blend in almost
seamlessly with traditional roof tiles. Not only are these shingles aesthetically appealing, but they
function both as solar panels and as durable roof tiles — so your roof will still be protected from the
elements as it absorbs sunlight for energy use.
You may have heard of Tesla Solar Tiles, although these are not the only options in the market. As
you can see from the photo below, they certainly make for an attractive roof, and especially when
paired with a battery, such as the Tesla Powerwall, providing your energy needs.
SOLAR SHINGLE BENEFITS
 Relatively easy installation – These shingles are easier to install than traditional solar panels. The
shingles are installed over new or existing roof sheathing, and an electrician or roofer wires the units
together and into the home’s electrical system.
 Tax-subsidized – 350 solar singles, the average amount for residential applications, could decrease
the home’s electricity bill by 40-60 percent. In addition, federal, state, and local incentives can cut
installation costs in half in some areas. 27 states and many cities offer more incentives that can
further lower solar installation costs. Check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and
Efficiency (DSIRE), a free online resource funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, for more
information and area-specific incentives.
 Perfect for roofs already under maintenance – Eco-conscious homeowners that plan to re-shingle
their roofs anyway are likely to find solar shingles especially appealing. Not only do solar shingles
provide a source of renewable energy and energy bill cost cuts, but they also provide weatherproof
protection for the roof.
 Potentially profitable – Since you don’t need to pay for both a roof and solar panels. Pricing should
come in comparable to other high-end roofing solutions. With solar shingles, going solar doesn’t
have to mean cutting ties to your local electricity supply grid. Most solar shingle systems are
connected to existing power supplies, which kick back into action after sundown and on particularly
cloudy days. And, if your solar shingle system generates more power than is needed for the
home (particularly common in sunny states), nearly 40 states will allow you to sell the unused power
back to the power supply for credit.
6.PREFAB TECHNIQUES GO MAINSTREAM
STRUCTURAL INSULATION PANELS (SIPS)

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are one of the most airtight, well-insulated building systems on the
market today. Because of the tight seal, SIPs are great for eco-friendly building. An airtight home
requires less energy for heating and cooling and allows for better control over air quality. Some SIPs
are FSC-Certified, ensuring that the wood used for the panels comes from sustainably-managed
forests. There are many advantages to building your home with SIPs. Here are a few.
SIPS SAVE ENERGY
Up to 40% of a home’s heat loss is due to air leakage. SIPs solve this problem by creating a superior
building envelope with minimal air exchange and high thermal resistance.
SIPS SAVE RESOURCES

Foam and oriented strand board (OSB), the two main components of SIPs, require less energy and
raw materials to produce than other building structures. SIPs have the power to reduce the waste
generated during home construction to ensure the most efficient use of material.
SIPS IMPROVE AIR QUALITY
A home built with SIPs provides better control over indoor air quality, since the airtight building
envelope minimizes or eliminates incoming unfiltered air. As for the fresh air that does enter the
home — controlled ventilation filters out contaminants, toxins, and allergens while dehumidifying
the air to reduce mold growth potential. In addition, SIPs do not contain VOCs or other harmful
chemicals, another potential air quality risk of non-SIP builds.
SIPS SAVE TIME
With each wall coming as a complete unit, there is no need for time consuming stick framing,
insulation, etc. A complete house envelope can be built in a matter of days instead of weeks.
Image courtesy of Extreme Panel Technologies.
7.GROW YOUR MATERIALS
.BIOCOMPOSITES
There was a time when it was hard to imagine new buildings utilizing weeds, mutant fruits, or
invasive alien plant species as building materials. But the use of these materials, generally known as
“bioplastics” or “biocomposites,” is on the rise. Bioplastics are products that are derived from plant,
animal, fungal, and bacterial sources — and some of these materials can now be used for
construction applications. Development of new technologies means these biocomposites are
becoming easier and easier to produce, and at a higher quality. When it comes to sustainable
building, plant-based building materials are an incredibly exciting prospect!
MUSHROOM INSULATION AND PARTICLE BOARD

REPLACEMENT
Yes, you read that correctly – Mushroom-based building materials have arrived! Mushroom roots, or
mycelium, can be used to make building materials that are stronger than concrete, more insulated
than fiberglass, and completely compostable. Who would have guessed? Plus, mycelium grows
without light underground, meaning no external energy source is needed for growth.
Image courtesy of EcovativeDesign.com.

Ecovative, one of the first companies in the world founded with the purpose of growing mycelium
for building applications, has a few products already in the works. One of the most notable: an eco-
friendly insulation material, injected between an interior and exterior wall. Get this – the material
silently grows and becomes so strong, the walls need no other supporting structure! What’s more, the
insulation factor is better than that of fiberglass.
Another incredible product is called Myco Board, which looks and behaves like particle board but
contains no wood. Not only are these boards cheaper, stronger, and lighter than traditional
particleboard, they’re also completely compostable – and they can be modified to repel invasive pests
and molds. But perhaps the most impressive feature of Myco Boards is that they contain no harmful
chemicals. Formaldehyde is all-too-common in pressed wood products — but Ecovative’s
mushroom-based panels are completely free of toxins.
.WOOD
Wait! Wood isn’t a new material. It’s true that wood is an old standard, but it is appearing in building
materials in innovative new ways. There are new ways to make use of scrap material or process the
wood for longevity and strength.
The wood itself is sequestering carbon in your building, and when coupled with sustainable forestry
practices can be a great choice for the planet.
BARK SIDING: DURABLE, NATURAL BEAUTIFUL

Sustainable forestry practices are reaching new heights by making use of tree bark as a building
material. You may not have heard of bark siding or bark shingles, but bark is actually a highly
durable, attractive, economical, and sustainable option for siding and shingling. Bark used for
building comes from trees that are already cut. You see, traditionally the bark is discarded as debris,
burned, or in some cases used to make mulch. Using bark as a building material rescues it from this
fate and provides a highly sustainable alternative to traditional siding and shingling materials.
Bark siding can last 75 to 100 years without any painting, sealant, or regular maintenance.
(Unbelievable, right?) The absence of paint or stain means there’s never any chemical runoff. After
it’s removed from the already-felled trees, bark is kiln-dried to sterilize against fungus and pests; this
sterilization process involves no pesticides or other harmful chemicals. In addition, bark that is kiln-
dried will never warp or shrink upon installation.
Image courtesy of Bark House
Image courtesy of Accoya

ACETYLATED WOOD PRODUCTS
Accoya offers an eco-friendly alternative to the use of toxic pressure-treated wood. Wood is modified
via acetylation to create a product resistant to rot, improved in thermal insulation with better
dimensional stability, and a longer lifespan.
And yet the product is gorgeous and certified non-toxic.
MASS TIMBER
Cross-laminated-timber (CLT) and Glue-laminated timber (glulam) are increasing being used in
place of steel or concrete. With CLT, many smaller pieces of wood are glued together in layers which
are perpendicular to each other. Glulam positions the grain parallel with length. These mass timber
techniques (and others) result in a wood-based material with many compelling attributes.
SUSTAINABLE
Steel and concrete manufacturing are both high in carbon dioxide emissions. By comparison,
sustainably sourced timber is low net carbon. Also, cross-laminated-timber makes use of smaller
pieces of wood which allows for efficient usage of timber.
STRONG
Mass timber has very high strength to weight ratio. This allows mass timber to perform well in
seismic activity. There are even skyscrapers being built with mass timber.
FIRE RESISTANT
When exposed to fire, the char on the outside of mass timber forms an insulating layer which protects
the interior wood from damage. This allows it to retain support even in a fire.
COST EFFECTIVE
Mass timber buildings are faster to construct than concrete buildings due to prefabrication of the
elements offsite.
Image courtesy of Think Wood

8.GROW YOUR ROOF
.LIVING ROOFS
Living roofs, or green roofs, are defined by the General Services Administration (GSA) as vegetated
roofs consisting of “a waterproofing membrane, growing medium (soil) and vegetation (plants)
overlying a traditional roof.” It’s a bit of a stiff definition, but these are anything but boring.Whether
you hire a pro like LiveRoof or go for DIY, they’re beautiful! The image below shows the green
roof The Goodson House (a living green demonstration building).
CHOOSE WHEN TO SEE AND BE SEEN

9.SMART GLASS
In the winter months, bright sunlight streaming through the windows can be the best thing in the
world. But in the summer, that same sunlight streaming in can be invasive, harsh, and uncomfortable
— not to mention the increase in electricity bills from a heavy dependence on air conditioning.
Smart Glass windows offer a solution to this problem. Smart glass (or smart windows) refers to glass
or glazing whose light transmission properties change depending on how light or heat is applied. In
general, the glass becomes translucent in the summer months to block certain wavelengths of the sun,
and transparent in the winter to let in the warming rays. This translates to yearly cost savings in terms
of both heating and cooling, as well as avoiding the cost and hassle of installing light screens or
blinds. Smart glass can even reduce fabric fading, as it blocks up to 99% of harmful UV light.
RAVENWINDOW
Smart Glass transitioning technology is at the heart of RavenWindow smart windows. The
RavenWindow thermochromic filter is applied to the inside surface of the exterior glass pane of a
double pane window. An air chamber separates the filter from both the interior glass pane and the
standard Low-E coating. It’s an unbeatable combination to keep buildings energy efficient year
round.
HALIO
Enjoy the view, but not the glare, or the heat. Now you can dispense with blinds and shades and still
control how much light enters your home. This could save you up to 20% on your energy bills.
Halio begins to tint in just 15 seconds and reaches maximum tint within 3 minutes with uniform
tinting. And you can choose almost unlimited tint level options as well as control of individual panels
of glass.
They offer two products, Halio and Halio Black. Halio Black can block up to 99.9% of visible light
for enhanced privacy and light reduction. Halio passes more light in the “clear” setting and is ideal
when you want to maximize natural light coming in to a space.
10.SHIPPING CONTAINERS
Shipping containers are a great example of some truly high-quality waste in our society. There
are millions of containers around the world, and they’re typically only used for shipping for about 20
years; at that point they’re often retired and disposed of, even though they’re still in great condition.
Not only are the containers plentiful — they’re inherently durable, relatively inexpensive, and eco-
friendly (since they’re reclaimed material). It comes as no surprise that these highly durable
containers are making their way into the green building scene. Containers have been used to build
houses, stores, artist studios, emergency shelters, school, hotels, labs, apartment buildings, and just
about anything else you can imagine.
Shipping containers made of aluminum or steel are inexpensive, and stronger than average, building
blocks — like giant, super-strength Legos. They can be modified and re-arranged to accommodate
endless design possibilities. Due to their durability and resistance to natural forces, containers are
naturally suited for post-disaster housing and community centers. But the design versatility and
sustainable nature of containers have captured the imagination of architects, designers, and
homeowners worldwide.

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10 ECO BUILDING MATERIALS

REVOLUTIONIZING HOME CONSTRUCTION

5.SOLAR IS GORGEOUS GREEN

.TESLA SOLAR TILES

6.PREFAB TECHNIQUES GO MAINSTREAM

STRUCTURAL INSULATION PANELS (SIPS)

SIPS SAVE RESOURCES

Image courtesy of Extreme Panel Technologies.

7.GROW YOUR MATERIALS

MUSHROOM INSULATION AND PARTICLE BOARD

Image courtesy of EcovativeDesign.com.

BARK SIDING: DURABLE, NATURAL BEAUTIFUL

Image courtesy of Bark House

Image courtesy of Accoya

Image courtesy of Think Wood

CHOOSE WHEN TO SEE AND BE SEEN

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