If you’re thinking about building your own home then you will need to consider what construction materials are going to be best for your project.
Concrete is one option that has been used for hundreds of years; even the Romans built with it. But, no matter how cool pr how rich the history there is no doubt that the production of concrete has a detrimental effect on the planet.
That’s why you need to consider going green by using some of the following options. It should e noted that whatever material you decide to use you will need a skilled workforce to help you achieve your goal. There are businesses dedicated to providing this workforce; such as advancedgroupservices.com.au; it’s definitely worth checking them out before you start any project. Using the right labor can actually save you money; helping you to afford the green materials:
Bamboo
You may be surprised to learn that bamboo can grow up to 3 feet in just 24 hours. It is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet.
But it is also very strong. In fact the compression rate is higher than concrete! You’ll be able to use it in your construction project and know it will not need to be replaced on a regular basis.
It is worth noting that it must be treated before you use it. If it isn’t then it will attract insects and it is likely to swell and even rack.
Wood
Wood has been used for hundreds of years to build houses. It is a solid material which can be coated to provide the right color as well as protecting the wood from the elements.
However, to be ‘green’; you need to use wood that has been reclaimed. This simply means it as used for another purpose before you took it for your project. The alternative is to use wood that has been classified environmentally friendly. This means that for every tree that has been used to create your wood at least one new one has been planted.
Metal
Another great option is to use reclaimed metal. The initial production of metal is classified as high energy. This means it uses a lot of resources and damages the environment in the process.
But, you can take old metal and melt it down into new sheets to use in your building project.
Straw
This is very environmentally friendly and surprisingly easy to do. Simply purchase the straw from your local farmer and then use it to create the walls of your house. IT can be easily cut with a chainsaw to shape and battened into place.
You can then construct an internal dry line wall as usual or plaster over the straw.
Glass
Glass has been used in the construction industry for many years but it is becoming increasingly popular as a green alternative.
You can create a wall of glass bottles or you can use recycled glass which is certified to be green. While it may not be possible to create an entire building out of glass; you’d be surprised how much of it can be made!
