Organic building materials and their benefits
Organic building materials are a new-age remedy for battling the environmental pollution to whom we are exposed all the time.
The amount of energy that is used daily, and the contamination created in the process of using man-made construction materials is astounding and terrifying at the same time. Harmful chemicals used in growing all the time, lead to many people becoming sick or allergic.
Hence the need for eco friendly building materials as the alternative, and if you want to know what eco friendly construction materials we refer to and what are their benefits, be sure to read the rest of the blog.
Features of natural building materials
The eco building materials, also known as organic building materials are grown from seeds and their main feature is to absorb carbon dioxide while they grow. After harvesting, their special property is to isolate the greenhouse gas, instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.
The usage of natural building materials leads to healthier buildings thanks to their ability to to “breathe” by absorbing and giving off moisture for a healthy indoor environment. Materials such as wood, straw, cellulose, bamboo, natural plants, oils and waxes are used to create more energy-efficient buildings, that are solid and safe, but at the same time, better for the environment.
Given the fact that the emphasis is on the energy efficiency and sustainability, it is no wonder that eco friendly building materials are meant to pave the way to a more natural approach in construction, and here are some of them.
Straw bale - old is new again
Why did we say that?
Well, the thing with straw bale as an eco friendly material, is that was used a long time ago, and now this technique is reintroduced and updated for the 21st century.
Straw bales are made from the waste of the agricultural industry, as lumber substitutes, with an ability to isolate carbon.
Homes made from straw bales have thicker walls than it might seem at first, offering a great insulation and fire resistance, matching your favorite aesthetic at the same time. Straw bale homes keep warm in the winter, and cooler in the summer, which is makes them a great choice at all times.
Rammed earth - one of the oldest eco building techniques
Earth construction has been known for ages, so it is wonder it is still used today, given it is one of the most durable construction techniques.
The practical features of the rammed earth are their use as a thermal storage, which allows the sun to warm it during the day, and then slowly release that warmth in the evenings.
This low-carbon technique functions in a way where soil and binder are placed in layers, and are pressured afterwards, allowing it to create a hard and durable surface, that is now often seen in luxury homes with dramatic and durable walls that resemble sedimentary rock.
Bamboo sustainable building material - an alternative for wood
Not only that bamboo resembles wood aesthetically, but it also belongs to the grass family, meaning it can regenerate fairly quickly in comparison to trees. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet, with an ability to grow up to three meters per day, depending on the type.
Bamboo might just be the perfect alternative for wood, and it’s not just the speedy growth rate that makes it so. Since we are talking about eco building materials for construction purposes, bamboo can be harvested up to every 3 years, while that period being very prolonged in case of trees, going up to 25-50 years in case of some species.
Bamboo is a perfect sustainable alternative even when it comes to applications - it can be used for tiles, flooring, lumber, decking and countertops. So, not only does it help forest regenerate thanks to its’ rise in popularity, but also enables you to be creative and use it however you want.
Mycelium - futuristic mushroom insulation
Even though it sounds as something that comes straight from a sci-fi movie, among the organic building materials known as biocomposites (products derived from plants, bacteria, animals and fungi), mycelium is a champion when it comes to bioplastics that can be used in construction purposes.
Mycelium is mushroom-based organic building material that can be used in creating construction materials stronger than concrete, more insulated than fiberglass and completely disposable.
Mycelium comprises the root structure of fungi and mushrooms, and can be encouraged to grow in the composite of other natural materials such as ground up straws or molds. They can also be air-dried to create lightweight, but very strong bricks or other shapes.
Green living roofs in the core of biophilic design
As you know, the base of biophilic design is comprised of plants, and green living roofs are another proof how applicable biophilic design is in terms of sustainability and organic building materials.
These vegetated roofs consist of a waterproof membrane, growing medium (soil), and vegetation overlying a traditional roof. This might be a perfect example how biophilic design works when it comes to sustainable architecture and construction.
The benefits of green roofs are many, but some of the most important ones are their durability, obvious energy efficiency and improved air quality, noise reduction and water retention.
Tree bark as a sustainable material
Sustainable forestry is all the rage now, and we couldn’t be happier about it!
New practices involve using tree bark as a sort of organic building material. In its’ essence, bark is a highly durable, attractive, economical, and it goes without saying - sustainable option for siding and shingling.
In case of sustainable construction, the bark used comes only from the trees that are already cut, for usually it’s tossed away as debris, burned or used to make mulch.
Siding made from bark can last 75 up to 100 years, without any regular maintenance required, painting or sealants, which also means there is no chemical runoff. After it’s removed from the trees, bark is kiln dried - sterilized against fungus and pests.
This sterilization technique involves no pesticides or any other harmful chemicals, but also, it will never warp or shrink upon installation.
We could say that the future of sustainable organic building materials is secured, or it gets more so at an amazing rate. With just a little ingenuity, planning and mainly use of the organic building materials available to us - it will be possible to construct buildings with a very high sustainability index exceeding couple of hundred years, and Biofilico will be there to support it.