Sustainable Building Materials | Carmel Building and Design

Homes don’t have to be so resource hungry. Lumber has long been a reliable building resource; however, it is important to make sure it stays that way. Lumber can be obtained from properly managed forests so the land stays healthy and remains productive. Other options include the use of engineered lumber, which allows for the reuse of manufacturing waste, and I-joists, which maximize strength while minimizing material. Using salvaged materials also saves energy, resources, and money. There are many great alternatives to traditional lumber “stick” framing methods, such as rastra, strawbale, and rammed earth.

Choosing “green” materials is not black and white; in order to make the best choices, we should consider various aspects of a material:

“…building an average 2,000-sq. ft. house produces about
7,000 pounds of waste.” -Build It Green.

• How much energy does it take to produce and transport?
• Where is it made/Is there a local alternative?
• What is its lifespan/What happens at the end of its lifespan?
• What is its composition/Are the material or its components toxic or polluting?
• How much waste does it create?
• What is its social impact?

Here are some ways we can minimize waste and incorporate green materials into your building project:

• Deconstruct old buildings instead of demolishing them to preserve materials for reuse or donation
• Minimize and recycle waste
• Save materials by building better spaces, not bigger ones
• Use engineered lumber and advanced framing techniques, which use less wood
• Choose Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, which is sustainably farmed
• Seek out vintage, second-hand, and salvaged materials and fixtures, and those with recycled/recyclable or reused/reusable content
• Avoid doubling-up on materials (for example, use the slab as the finished floor)
• Select alternatives to wood, including fiber cement siding, recycled decking, rapidly renewable flooring (see below)
• Consider alternative building methods
• Select non-toxic materials (see the Indoor Air Quality section)

“By making smarter choices about how you build and the products you use, you can significantly contribute to the health, wealth and well-being of yourself, your family, your community, and the world.” -GreenBuildingBlocks.com

Cork comes from the bark of cork oak trees, and makes an excellent flooring material. It can be harvested about every nine years and does not harm the tree. This material is also recyclable and is typically made from what would otherwise be a waste product of cork bottle stopper production. It is known for its resilience, sound dampening, and striking pattern. It averages about $4/square foot.

Bamboo is a fast-growing woody plant that can be cultivated in about three to five years without pesticides. As long as the bamboo is mature when harvested and is grown as locally as possible without causing any negative social impacts, it is a beautiful choice for floors and countertops. There is a wide variety of styles to choose from. Bamboo averages about $6/square foot.

Sisal is a plant that yields fiber for rugs. Reed and mountain grass are also used to make natural floor coverings. These average about $2 per square foot.

Recycled flooring is a great option that is becoming more available and aesthetically pleasing. Products like terrazzo are low maintenance, have high post-consumer recycled content and have a life span of over 40 years. There are also beautiful recycled glass tiles, recycled rubber flooring, recycled carpet, and reclaimed wood options. Reused flooring tiles are widely available also, at about $2 per square foot.

Concrete can be used to produce beautiful floors, countertops, and sinks. Proper training is required to produce these types of finishes. Once sealed, concrete poses no indoor air quality concerns, and can save resources if a slab is used as the flooring (by not adding an additional flooring layer).

Natural linoleum is a natural product made out of wood powder, linseed oil, pine tree resins, cork, chalk, and jute backing. It is a non-toxic product that is easy to clean, and comes in many beautiful colors. It is renewable, durable, naturally antibacterial, and costs about $6 per square foot.

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