With the environmental crisis at an all-time high, construction companies are looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint and contribute as little as possible to the growing severity of the situation.

For PR reasons and in some cases, moral ones, the need for new, eco-friendly construction materials has never been higher. Thankfully for construction companies, the variety of green building materials on the market is on a steady incline as well.

For builders looking to innovate when it comes to construction buildings of all types with non-toxic building materials, here’s a list of some of the hottest new eco-friendly trends in construction today.

The Best Eco-Friendly Building Materials of 2019

1. Thermo-Brace® S.I.B. (Structural Insulative Board)

Thermo-Brace S.I.B. by Barricade is the industry’s very first 4-in-1 reversible structural insulation board. This insulative board is making waves in the construction industry as one of its hottest new green building materials because it meets all AIB requirements while simultaneously providing buildings with improved fire resistance, indoor air quality, and air barrier properties.

This product is made with all non-toxic building materials, including Neopor GPS which happens to be GREENGUARD Certified for providing Gold Indoor Air Quality. In addition to this, it also complies with the 2018, 2015, and 2012 International Energy Codes established for continuous insulative sheathing.

The functional benefits of Thermo-Brace S.I.B. are numerous, including weather-resistant barriers on both sides, increased protection against mold, material savings and stable pricing which reduce overall consumption of energy, lower labor costs, faster installation times, and a lightweight design which allows for use up to 24 inches on center without sacrificing the strength or protection of your building.

It also offers a higher level of long-term thermal resistance than other products, as well as outstanding thermal breaks. Requiring only one product install rather than multiple sessions, this product can actually be used in place of standard OSB because it meets all the necessary structural requirements.

2. Rammed Earth

 

Famous for its use in the construction of the Great Wall of China, rammed earth has been around for centuries and is now making a comeback. Typically used in luxurious buildings, this material can create durable, dramatic-looking walls that look like sedimentary rock.

Walls made from rammed earth are great at storing thermal energy during the day and slowly releasing it during the evening. Building with rammed earth is a very low-carbon technique which involves layering binder and soil with pressure to create a durable and hard surface.

Rammed earth can even be used as a total replacement for regular conventional masonry built with concrete. What makes this one of the most non-toxic building materials out there is the fact that rammed earth blocks are built with the waste materials found in quarries, creating low and even zero-cement blocks that any mason can easily install.

3. Solar Roof Shingles

Solar Shingles

With improvements in solar technology being made on almost a daily basis, it’s no surprise that these new green building materials are seeing an uptick in usage. The days of installing giant, mega-panels on your client’s roof are a thing of the past. Now, there are solar roof shingles that can inconspicuously blend right in with their other traditional roof tiles.

Not only do these shingles provide your homeowners with solar power, but they also double as actual shingles, giving them all the protection that a normal shingle would. TESLA and other companies are now offering these miniature solar roof shingles which are much easier to install than traditional solar panels.

They can be installed right over existing or new roof sheathing, and are easily integrated with a building’s electrical system. In addition to being tax-subsidized, these shingles will offer financial kickbacks in the form of a 40-60% lower electricity bill. The installation costs are cut in half by subsidies in most states, with other states offering even more of a discount.

Solar roof shingles are perfect for builders who are looking to take that next step in eco-conscious building strategies and could help establish your company as a go-to in the eco-friendly building industry.

Non-Toxic Building Materials Are the Future of Construction

With eco-friendly behavior becoming more and more of a focal point as we progress into the future, builders need to constantly be looking for new ways to integrate green building materials into their construction methods.

By experimenting with products like solar roof shingles, rammed earth, and Thermo-Brace S.I.B. from Barricade, you can help your company stand out as an industry leader among your competitors.

Not only will utilizing these new eco-friendly building materials help you separate yourself from the pack, but they will also improve your company’s public image and could mean the difference between thriving well into the future or going under completely as we enter a new, green age.