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Five Trends in Green Building Materials

Posted by Jessica Kane | Thu, Nov 10, 2016 @ 04:00 PM

building materials

The demand for green building materials in construction projects, both commercial and residential, is on the rise as people look to reduce their footprint and preserve the environment. In addition to being environmentally friendly, the materials also help decrease utility costs. As the trend continues, building materials dealers are anticipating the recommendation of more reclaimed, recycled, renewable and revolutionary materials in construction projects.

Natural Insulation

Builders are moving away from traditional insulation materials and looking for sustainable, natural alternatives. In the coming year, expect to see more insulation made from hemp. Hempcrete, as it is called, is made from lime and hemp (above photo) and can be sprayed or formed around a wall. The breathable insulation is durable, recyclable and insulates better than traditional fiberglass insulation. Other green solutions include soybean foam, recycled cotton and sheep’s wool.

Eco-Friendly Flooring

Reclaimed floors made a big comeback in the last few years, and 2017 will see a rise in other green flooring alternatives. Some of the most popular green flooring choices out there currently include rubber, stone, ceramic, recycled metal, cork, bamboo and even glass. It’s also possible to use any of these options in any room thanks to low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) and no-VOC sealants that can be used in places like the bathroom to make the flooring water resistant.

Solar-Thermal Cladding

This new type of coating used on the side panels of structures could be a game changer for heating and cooling. The angled slats are designed to deflect hot summer sun while still absorbing solar energy that can be used during the winter months. While the Swiss system has been available in the country for about 15 years already, it made its United States debut earlier this year and will pick up traction through 2017.

Self-Healing Concrete

Self-healing concrete could be the concrete of the future. It has been undergoing testing in Europe as part of a project called Materials for Life, which focuses on creating sustainable, self-healing materials for the construction industry. The long-term goal is to produce materials for infrastructure projects like bridges, buildings, roads and tunnels that would be able to monitor and repair themselves without help from humans.

Grasscrete is also making its way to mainstream building. Grasscrete is concrete laid in a pattern that allows for green patches of grass to grow through. Aside from reducing the use of concrete, it also helps improve drainage and water absorption.

Recycled Steel

According to the Steel Recycling Institute, using recycled steel during construction can simplify the framing process. Customers can order customized steel beams and panels tailored to the project’s specific requirements. Recycled steels is also more durable than wood, making it ideal for use in places prone to earthquakes or high winds. More importantly, while it may take anywhere from 40 to 50 trees to create the frame for a 2,000-square-foot house, it would take just six scrap carts to produce enough steel for the same project. More than 65 million tons of steel have been recycled since January 1, 2016.

Before starting a new project, consider green building materials that can cut long-term costs, lessen the carbon footprint, and even improve safety. Another worthy consideration is CrossCheck’s Check on Delivery (COD) program.

This approach to payment processing is designed to provide contractors with maximum convenience without waiting. They simply submit a check to the building materials dealer for the full amount of an order via telephone, and sign for the supplies when they arrive at the job site. The arrangements are handled safely in office and the dealer is guaranteed payment. This low-maintenance method of paying for delivered goods benefits both buyers and sellers of building materials. Learn more by downloading our free guide.

check on delivery, cod

Topics: Building Materials

Written by Jessica Kane

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for EconoHeat (econoheat.com), the world’s #1 leading waste oil heaters manufacturer.