The 7 Best Eco-Friendly Materials for Building
With the inevitability of declining fossil fuels, and
the threat of global climate change, reducing our
energy consumption is an essential survival
strategy.
Choosing to build green saves energy. The low
embodied energy of green products ensures that very
little energy went into their manufacture and
production, with a direct reduction in carbon
emissions. An eco-friendly design methodology can
further reduce energy consumption by minimizing
energy inputs for heating, cooling, and light, and
incorporating energy-efficient appliances. Saving
energy for the occupant also saves money—an issue
that will become increasingly important as the cost Sheep’s Wool
of fossil fuels inevitably rises in the near future.
The most eco-friendly construction materials for a new crop. Clothing manufacturers have long-
home are as follows:
Recycled Steel
Utilizes steel already in existence for structural use
in a home. The reclaimed steel from 6 junk cars pro-
vides enough recycled steel to build a 2000 square
for home. Recycling saves 75% of energy costs.
Steel is the most recycled material in the world and
recycled steel is used in the manufacture of all new
steel.
Bamboo
Bamboo is increasing in popularity as a building
material. Bamboo is very sustainable since it grows
quickly. While trees such as pine and cedar can be
reforested, growing them can take years. Bamboo
can be reforested much more promptly and grows
throughout the world. Bamboo, like true wood, is a
natural composite material with a high
strength-to-weight ratio useful for structures.
Bamboo has a higher compressive strength than
wood, brick, or concrete and a tensile strength that
rivals steel.
Sheep’s wool, of course, can also be regrown
quickly. After shearing, sheep inherently produce a
known the insulating properties of wool, which
make very cozy sweaters and socks. The same
insulating features can make sheep’s wool an
energy- efficient insulator in walls, ceilings, and
attics. Sheep Wool Insulation is totally natural,
environmentally friendly, quick, and easy to install.
Wool insulation and other eco-friendly products
appeal to the growing numbers of homeowners and
buyers looking for green buildings with an excellent
energy rating.
Straw Bales
Straw bales also have fantastic insulating properties.
Straw bales are placed in walls, attics, and ceilings
to contribute to cooler temperatures in the summer
and warmer temperatures in the winter. Straw can
be harvested and replanted easily with minimal
environmental impact. The making of straw into
bales also has a very low influence. Research has
shown that strawbale construction is a sustainable
method for building, from the standpoint of both
materials and energy needed for heating and
cooling.
Precast Concrete
Concrete is a natural material that can be recycled,
making it an appropriate choice for eco-friendly
homes. Pre-cast concrete is eco-friendlier than
concrete poured on-site. It is poured into pre-made
molds over rebar or wire, then cured. Once the
concrete has hardened, it can be shipped and placed
into multiple structures. As a result, precast concrete
achieves economies of scale that concrete that is
poured on-site cannot.
Reclaimed or Recycled Wood
Reclaimed or recycled wood has much less of an
environmental impact than harvesting new timber.
Since many homes and other structures have used
wood for several years, it’s relatively easy to
reclaim those structures for new home building.
Wood can be used in the construction of a home—
reclaimed and recycled wood can also be used to
make unique floors or exposed beams with an
antique look.
Plant-Based Polyurethane Rigid Foam
Rigid foam is often used as insulation material in
building. It’s made from kelp, hemp, and bamboo.
Because it is rigid—and relatively immovable—it
can be used in insulation. It offers protection
against mold and pests, as well as sound insulation
and heat resistance.
There are many good reasons why we should use
eco-friendly construction methods and materials. It
can improve the health of our planet, and the health
of our own lives. It also supports local business and
helps strengthen the local economy, which in turn
helps to build our communities into vibrant,
prosperous, and desirable places to live.
Source: motherearthnews.com/ Tata Steel Europe /
Sheep Wool Insulation / Wikipedia
Glossaries
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Earth 11. ………………………………………..

Many cultures throughout the centuries have used 12. ………………………………………..

earth for building. Homes built on the earth are 13. ………………………………………..
warm in the winter and cool in the summer. While
14. ………………………………………..
earth homes are frequently produced in China and
parts of South America, they are far less prevalent 15. ………………………………………..
in the United Kingdom.
 Worksheet on The 7 Best Eco-Friendly Materials for Building

PART I: Reading Comprehension (15 points, @ 3 points)

1. Why eco-friendly materials become a trend?

2. In your own words, explain why eco-friendly design methodology can further reduce energy
consumption.

3. Why Pre-cast concrete is eco-friendlier than concrete poured on-site?

4. How reclaimed or recycled wood can be considered as eco-friendly materials?

5. In your own words, explain why Plant-based polyurethane rigid foam can be used as insulation
material in buildings.

PART II: Constructing sentences and identifying the Subject and Verb (9 points, @ 1.5 points)
1. Write one sentence for each word below. Your sentence should use the given word and be related to
Architecture. (You cannot copy the sentences from the passage)
a. Insulation

b. Pre-cast concrete

c. Hemp
PART III: Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing is expressing the meaning of something written or spoken using different words, especially
to achieve greater clarity.
Now, paraphrase the following sentences taken from the passage. (12 points, @ 4 points)
1. The low embodied energy of green products ensures that very little energy went into their manufacture
and production, with a direct reduction in carbon emissions.

2. Bamboo, like true wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for
structures

3. Wool insulation and other eco-friendly products appeal to the growing numbers of homeowners and
buyers looking for green buildings with an excellent energy rating.

PART IV: REFLECTIVE THINKING

Now that you have read the passage, please write one or two points that catch your interest as people
studying architecture/future architects. Explain. (4 points)

TOTAL POINTS: 40