Green building materials are made of renewable, rather than non-renewable, resources. Environmentally friendly materials are environmentally responsible because impacts are taken into account throughout the product's lifespan (Spiegel and Meadows, 199). Depending on the specific objectives of the project, the evaluation of ecological materials may involve the evaluation of one or more of the criteria listed below. Wood is the perfect natural building material and is considered to be one of the best environmentally friendly materials in buildings.
Bamboo is an incredibly high generation rate and is a perennial herb and not wood. It has a high weight/strength ratio, much greater strength than brick and concrete, and lasts incredibly long. It requires treatment to resist putrefaction and insects, and if left untreated, it will invite rot and insects, and it will crack or swell after absorbing water. Cork proliferates like bamboo and grows after harvest into a living tree and will continue to produce more cork, like the bark of a tree.
It is strong, reverses and is flexible to its original shape even after withstanding pressure for a long time. It's also tough and wear-resistant, making it a popular element in tile. Straw bales can be used as a frame material and can act as a soundproof material and have excellent insulating properties. It is also the best choice as a filling material between beams, frame and columns.
Reclaimed wood is one of the environmentally responsible ways to save trees and minimize the volume of wood in landfills. It is mostly found in home remodeling companies or contractors, transport boxes, salvage warehouses, pallets, excavation companies, and retired barns. It is suitable for structural frames, floors and cabinets but has less strength than new wood. Sheep wool is an excellent alternative to chemical-laden insulating material.
It can insulate homes just like conventional insulation and requires less energy to manufacture. It can increase the soundproofing and energy efficiency of the structure. It doesn't degrade quickly like other natural insulating materials such as cotton and straw. Continuous development has caused various harmful environmental effects, such as pollution, the emission of greenhouse gases, global warming, etc.
To further reduce the environmental impact of construction projects, we must remember that the use of environmentally friendly materials alone is not enough, and we must also use energy efficient design and construction methods. Green building materials can be divided into environmentally friendly, healthy, high-performance and recycled building materials. A structure that uses environmentally friendly materials has a good chance of obtaining a LEED certification that can improve public reputation. Green buildings aim to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly building that provides residents with a comfortable and healthy indoor and outdoor environment. Evaluation and valuation are relatively simple when comparing similar types of building materials using environmental criteria. Ensure that materials are certified by third parties such as Energy Star, Green Seal and the Forest Stewardship Council; and use life cycle analysis tools to compare the environmental impact of the different options.
Materials and construction specifications that are environmentally friendly are those with a low carbon footprint, toxicity, waste generation and resource depletion.
