ARC 1414 – BUILDING TECHNOLOGY I
RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Topic: GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS
GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS
Green building materials are materials used in sustainable or high-
performance buildings or green buildings. Green building is an
environmentally responsible construction method. Green buildings are
designed to reduce waste and use natural resources more efficiently.
CHARACTERISTICS OF GREEN PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS
1. ENERGY EFFICIENT
Energy efficiency is reducing the amount of energy required to
provide products and services. For example, the use of insulation
allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve
and maintain a comfortable temperature. Also, installing LED lighting,
fluorescent lighting or natural skylight windows reduces the amount
of energy required to attain the same level of illumination compared
to using traditional incandescent lights.
2. RENEWABLE ENERGY
Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable
resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale,
such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat.
Renewable energy often provides energy in four important areas:
electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, transportation,
and rural energy services.
Green Building Materials
3.
A renewable resource is a natural resource which will replenish to
replace the portion depleted by usage and consumption, either
through natural reproduction or other recurring processes in a finite
amount of time in a human time scale. Examples include oxygen,
fresh water, solar energy and biomass. Gasoline, coal, natural gas,
diesel, plastics and other fossil fuels are not renewable. They take
millions or years to be made and cannot be renewed in a lifetime.
4. LOW IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Materials that have low impact on the environment are those
materials that do not significantly diminish environmental quality.
Low impact means waste, recycled, reclaimed, timber from a
sustainably managed source or local materials sources from within 35
miles
5. LOW IMPACT ON HEALTH
Green products and materials have low impact on health. For
example, the use of material or products that are made to look like
wood have higher levels of formaldehyde. To avoid respiratory
disease and have better air quality, choose to use solid and natural
wood.
GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION
1. EARTHEN MATERIALS
Earthen materials like adobe, cob and rammed earth are being used
for construction purposes. For good strength and durability, chopped
straw, grass and other fibrous materials are added to the earth. Even
today, structures built with adobe or cob can be seen in some remote
areas.
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2. WOOD
Wood is one of the most famous building materials used around the
world. However, in the process of conversion of raw timber to wood
boards and planks, most of the percentage of wood gets wasted. This
wastage can be used to make structural parts like walls, boards,
doors, etc. in the form of engineered wood. Unlike solid wood,
engineered wood contains different layers of wood, usually the
middle layers are made of wood scraps, softwoods, wood fibers, etc.
3. BAMBOO
Bamboo is one of the most multi-purposely used and durable
materials used in construction. These trees grow faster, irrespective
of climatic conditions, making it economical as well. They can be used
to construct frames or supports, walls, floors, etc. They provide a
good appearance to the structures.
4. SIPs
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) consist of two sheets of oriented
strand boards or flake board with a foam layer between them. They
are generally available in larger sizes and are used as walls for the
structure. Because of their large size, they need heavy equipment to
install, however, they provide good insulation.
5. INSULATED CONCRETE FORMS
Insulated concrete forms contain two insulation layers with some
space in between them. This space contains some arrangement for
holding reinforcement bars, after placing reinforcement, concrete is
poured into this place. Insulated concrete forms are light in weight,
fire resistant, low dense and have good thermal and sound insulation
properties.
6. CORDWOOD
If wood is abundantly available and easily accessible to the site of
construction, cordwood construction is recommended. It requires
short and round pieces of wood which are laid one above the other,
width wise, and are bonded together by a special mortar mix. They
are strong, environmental friendly and also give good appearance to
the structure.
7. STRAW BALE
Straw bale is another green building material which can be used as
framing material for building because of good insulating properties.
They can also act as soundproof materials. Non-load bearing walls of
straw bale can be used as fill material in between columns and, in
beams framework is recommended. Since air cannot pass through
them, straw bales also have some resistance to fire.
8. EARTH BAGS
Earth bags or sand bags are also used to construct walls of a
structure. These types of structures can be seen in military bases,
near banks of water resources, etc. Generally, bags made of burlap
are recommended but they may rot very easily and hence,
polypropylene bags are used nowadays.
9. SLATE/STONE ROOFING
Slate is naturally formed rock which is used to make tiles. Slate tiles
have high durability and they are used as roofing materials. Slate
roofing is preferred when it is locally or cheaply available.
10. STEEL
Steel roof panels and shingles are highly durable and they can be
recycled again and again. So, these are the best choices for green
roofing materials.
11. THATCH
Thatch is nothing but dry straw, dry water reed, dried rushes, etc.
These are the oldest roofing materials which are still in use in some
remote locations of the world and even in cities for aesthetic
attractions. It is cheaply available for roofing and a is also a good
insulator.
12. COMPOSITES
Roof panels made of composite materials such as foam or cellulose
layer sandwiched between two metal sheets or two plastic sheets
also come under green building materials. They are light in weight,
inexpensive and provide good insulation for the structure and save
energy.
13. NATURAL FIBER
Natural fibers like cotton, wool can also be used as insulation
materials. Recycled cotton fibers or wool fibers are converted into a
batt and installed in preformed wooden frame sections.
14. POLYURETHANE
Polyurethane foam is also available in the form of spray bottles. They
are directly sprayed onto the surface or wall or to which part
insulation is required. After spraying, it expands and forms a thick
layer which hardens later on. They offer excellent insulation and
prevent leakage of air.
15. FIBER GLASS
Fiberglass is also used for insulation purposes in the form of fiberglass
batts. Even though it contains some toxic bonding agents, because of
its super insulation properties at low cost it can be considered as a
green building material.
16. CELLULOSE
Cellulose is a recycled product of paper waste and it is widely used
around the world for insulation purposes in structures. It acts as good
sound insulator and available for cheap prices in the market.
17. CORK
Cork is also a good insulator. Boards or panels made of cork are
available. A great amount of electrical energy can be saved by
corkboard insulation in cold months. These cork boards are also good
for sound insulation.
18. POLYSTYRENE AND ISOCYANURATE
Polystyrene and isocyanurate foam sheets are another type of
insulation material which are available in the form of boards or
sheets. These are generally provided as insulators on exterior sides of
a structure, below the grade, etc.
19. NATURAL CLAY
Plastering of walls can be done using natural clay rather than other
gypsum-based plasters. Natural clay plaster with proper workmanship
gives a beautiful appearance to the interior.
20. NON-VOC PAINTS
Non-VOC paint or green paint is recommended over VOC containing
paints. The presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in paint
 reacts with sunlight and nitrogen oxide resulting in the formulation of
ozone which can cause severe health problems for the occupants. If
non-VOC paint is not available, paint with very low-VOC is
recommended.
21. NATURAL FIBER FLOOR
Naturally occurring materials like bamboo, wool and cotton fiber
carpets, cork, etc. can be used for flooring purposes.
22. FIBER CEMENT
Fiber cement boards are made of cement, sand and wood fibers. For
exterior siding, fiber cement boards are a good choice because of
their cheap price, good durability and good resistance against fire.
23. STONE
Stone is naturally occurring and a long-lasting building material. Some
stone structures built hundreds of years ago are still in existence
without much abrasion. Stones are good against weathering hence,
they can be used to construct exterior walls, steps, exterior flooring,
etc.
RECYCLABLE BUILDING MATERIALS
All materials that come from a building site for reuse are recycled building
materials. This include wood, brick, insulation, plastics, glass, etc. Anything
that can be reused is recycled. This way, recycled resources are
environmentally friendly and cost-efficient.
TYPES OF RECYCLED MATERIALS
 Used materials – used supplies from construction sites, tear-down
sites, own site resources
 Sustainable materials – resources that have high energy efficiency
and low environmental footprint; examples are wood, straw bales,
recycled plastics, etc.
 Salvage materials – salvage and reclaimed materials refer to the same
thing that is, supplies that are used from construction leftovers or
tear- downs; by far one of the cheapest, accessible and popular types
of recycled materials
 Free building materials – can come from construction sites such as
filling materials, etc.
 Barn wood – wood from dismantled old barns that, instead of
trashing the wood, is used for construction or interior design projects,
depending on its state
 Waste products – recycling waste products helps to fight pollution
and decrease our environmental footprint; examples are old tires,
bottles, etc.
 Eco-friendly materials – all materials that leave a minimal negative
impact on our environment are considered eco-friendly, this includes
not only recycled resources, but also highly-renewable, and surplus
supplies found in nature
 Innovative recycled materials – these are recycling materials to
innovative materials for use in construction, example is mushroom
 insulation produced by using fungi that grow in rotting trees and is
used as an insulation material with relatively low cost and significantly
eco-friendly and non-toxic
 Recycled plastic materials – some plastics are identified as recyclable
and these are sometimes turned into usable blocks, manufacturing
these blocks may incur an extra cost but can somehow solve the
problem of plastic disposal
 Lightweight materials – one of the most important qualities of a
building material is lightweight, examples of which are recycled
metals such as steel and aluminum, bamboo, eco-concrete mixes and
newspaperwood
ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS
Alternate or alternative building materials can be used when it meets the
respective specifications of traditional building or stick building.
REASONS FOR USING ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS
Stick building or traditional building methods is one of the least expensive
ways for building, and most in the construction industry are familiar with the
process. However, there are certain good reasons for choosing to build in an
alternative way. The following are reasons for building in an alternative
method:
1. EXPENSES
Buildings are not only expensive to build, but likewise expensive to
maintain. Some types of structures built with alternative materials
can be cheaper than traditional stick building. Other types might cost
just as much – or even more to build, but can be very inexpensive to
run
and maintain because they are so energy efficient. This makes it
attractive over the lifetime of the building, especially when building
owners are on a budget.
2. TIME
Stick building methods can take several months or even years to
complete. Although this is expected, the use of alternative methods
can alter the case. Many alternative building methods can go up in
just days or weeks, dramatically shortening the building time. Not
only was construction time minimized, but construction cost was also
decreased due to a number of factors like the decrease in manpower
cost, rental cost, etc.
3. ECO-FRIENDLY
Many alternative building materials are eco-friendly or made of
natural and renewable materials. Some green homes are very energy
efficient as well as green to build, thus eco-conscious consumers can
make eco- friendly choices by looking into some of these alternative
building materials.
4. STRENGTH AND WEIGHT
Stick building methods require specific amounts of materials and lot
size to construct. And even then, they may sometimes be weaker
than they should be in areas that are prone to things like
earthquakes, or in areas with unstable foundations, such as buildings
built near a beach. Many alternative building materials are extremely
strong, yet extremely lightweight at the same time. This way,
buildings can be built anywhere without issues.
NATURAL ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS
Natural materials are those that do not resemble traditional stick building
methods, but have been in use for hundreds of years in various cultures.
These are viable methods of building a home that are much cheaper and
greener than traditional methods.
EXAMPLES OF NATURAL ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS
1. Straw Bale Houses
Straw bale homes have been in use since the Paleolithic times, and
are still in use today in many parts of the world as an inexpensive
alternative to traditional building materials.
In a straw bale home, a watertight foundation is built on the ground
to keep out moisture. Tightly packed bales of straw, oats, bamboo, or
rice are then stacked on top of the foundation in a running bond, or
offset brick pattern. The bales are covered in stucco or plaster to help
protect them from moisture and the elements, and to help seal them.
Because the walls of the home are so thick, straw bale homes can be
fairly energy efficient, provided steps are taken to keep them free of
moisture.
2. Cob Houses
Cob houses are built of a mixture of clay, earth, sand, water, and
fibers like straw that have been kneaded and stomped into a tough
mixture that can be used to erect homes in a variety of different
shapes and sizes. A home made of cob will usually have walls about 2-
feet thick, which helps keep energy costs down by insulating the
home.
Cob houses can be very labor intensive to put up, but are also
extremely cheap to build.
3. Rammed Earth
Rammed earth houses are made entirely out of very tightly compacted
earthen walls. The mixture is a very precise blend of clay, sand, and
gravel that is kept moist to help it pack together tightly. The mixture is
tightly pressed into forms that are then erected. Each wall may be several
feet thick, and it is not uncommon to have some homes built into the side
of a hill to help make use of the natural landscape.
Rammed earth homes, like cob homes, are inexpensive to build, and very
eco friendly as they cost less in utilities than traditional houses do.
MAN MADE ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS
In addition to these natural building methods, there are several other man
made alternative building materials as well. These differ in price and
maintenance costs, as well as their basic pros and cons.
EXAMPLES OF MAN MADE ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS
1. Structural Insulated Panels
One of the fastest building methods around is done with structural
insulated panels or SIPs. These are insulating panels made of
fiberglass foam that have been sandwiched between structural
panels. A home built from SIPs can go up in a matter of hours, rather
than months. The panels are also extremely lightweight, and because
they are already insulated, the houses tend to be a little more airtight
with fewer air gaps or leaks, which leads to lower utility costs.
However, they cost about 10% more than traditional methods to
build.
2. Steel Framing
While stick building often refers to homes that are built out of
lumber, the same style of homes can also be built using steel beams,
rather than lumber. Steel framing goes up in much the same way that
lumber does, but with a lot more strength and integrity, perfect for
homes in areas prone to natural disasters. Not to mention the fact
that steel frames are also extremely stable.
3. Polyvinyl Chloride
PVC is a hard type of plastic already used in most homes as part of the
plumbing pipes or sink traps. It can also be used to frame and build a
home. PVC is very stable, and can last for as long as 20 years without
any maintenance, which can be a major money saver for
homeowners.
4. Timber Framing
Like stick building, timber framing uses wood to build and frame the
house. Unlike stick building, however, the timber frames are each
individually handcrafted to suit the location in the home, then
transported there for erection. The homes are usually sheathed in
stress skin, which is a great insulating material, making the homes
very energy efficient. The drawback to this method is that while it has
been used for hundreds of years, there are few builders today who
have the knowledge to take on a project of any scale adequately.
buildings due to their high insulation rate. Unfortunately, they are
fairly expensive; a home built using this method costs about 20%
more than a traditional stick built home.
6. Insulated Concrete Forms
Insulated concrete forms are another way to build a very energy
efficient home. They are constructed of interlocking foam forms that
are hollow inside. Concrete is poured into the centers to give the
forms stability. The insulating foam helps to seal the outer structure
and make it more energy efficient. Like autoclaved aerated concrete
blocks, it’s much more expensive than traditional stick building
methods – about 15% more, and many builders have never worked
with it, so finding one that is knowledgeable can be difficult.
7. Engineered Wood
Engineered wood consists of thin pieces of wood stacked on top of
one another and held together with glue. This makes an extremely
stable lumber that does not react to moisture by swelling and
shrinking. This can therefore create a more dimensionally stable
home than traditional stick built houses. It costs about 5% more than
a traditional stick built house.

5. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks

Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks have been used in Europe for
many years. These incredibly lightweight, insulating concrete blocks
are made from concrete that has been mixed with chemicals to cause
it to rise like dough, filling it with air. The mixture is then pressure
cooked so that the resulting blocks are 80% air, but have the
durability of true concrete. The blocks can build extremely energy
efficient