Building and sustainability: the rising of the green building materials market

Source:adobe stock

The demand for sustainable building materials is growing.

In recent years, the awareness on the issue of sustainability has increased, which is why every sector of society is trying to find “green” and eco-sustainable production solutions (we talked about it a few articles ago, do you remember?).

The building sector is no exception, given that the so-called green building is now gaining a foothold around the world.

But what does the term “green building” or “green architecture” stand for? It indicates how to design, build and manage a building in line with the principles of environmental sustainability, reducing negative impacts on the environment.

This reduction of the environmental impact passes through the use of eco-sustainable, green building materials, a choice that is increasingly turning into a real revolution in the world of architecture.

But what are the requirements that a building material must possess to be sustainable?

  • it cannot be toxic or come from the synthesis of chemicals, but only from natural and renewable resources. Therefore, its use cannot harm either the planet or men;
  • it has a low impact on the environment and promotes energy saving;
  • its production process must not destabilize the ecosystem;
  • its packaging and transportation must be carried out while minimizing emissions and pollution;
  • it must be disposed of correctly, lend itself to recycling and, without further recovery of raw materials, it must be able to give life to new objects.

Obviously, in addition to effectively reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency, these materials lead to overall cost savings.

But what are these sustainable materials? Let’s see some of them in detail.

5 sustainable and innovative materials in the building field

We have collected 5 new materials that have already begun to fit into building design without sacrificing performance.

  1. Mushroom mycelium
    It is an insulator extracted from the roots of mushrooms, able to replace the more traditional insulating foams thanks to its expansion capacity. Ideal for insulating houses with wooden walls, it creates a real insulating, hermetic and fireproof panel.
  2. Sheep wool
    A textile fiber which is increasingly used in the production of panels that guarantee perfect thermal and acoustic insulation, offer protection from the outside temperature, absorb pollution and can be recycled after demolition.
  3. Recycled stone
    It is a composite material created from the mixing of limestone waste, plastic bottles and food bags. Used for both internal and external coatings, it guarantees good protection and good insulation of structures, has a duration of 50 years and is recyclable.
  4. Bio-bricks
    They are prefabricated blocks made up of a mixture of hemp, lime and bacteria. They allow ideal thermal acoustic comfort and are fire and frost-resistant.
  5. Ecological photocatalytic wall paints
    They are natural and non-toxic paints, highly recommended for their ability to prevent the formation of mold and bacteria, to trap the fine dust in the house and transform them into less harmful substances.

In conclusion, sustainable building solutions improve the quality of the building thus increasing the value of the property.

Did you know that?

Sotefin attach great importance to issues such as sustainability through the use of materials, technologies and topics that are increasingly important for the protection of our planet.

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