Are you interested in renovating your home to be more environmentally-friendly? There are a number of innovations in sustainable building that can help you do just that. From insulation and windows to environmentally-friendly paints, there are many ways to make your home more sustainable. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the latest trends in sustainable building and renovations. So if you’re ready to go green, keep reading!

Insulation

There are lots of different options for how to insulate your house, but not all are the most environmentally-friendly. Cellulose insulation has been around for a long time and is typically made up of a high percentage of recycled materials, but there are other options to consider that you may have never known about! 

Straw bale insulation

Straw bale insulation is not only effective, but because it’s made of a natural and renewable material, you won’t have to worry about producing more waste when it’s reached the end of its life span. 

Mushroom insulation

UK-based company Biohm has created an insulation made from mycelium, the thread-like roots that connect mushrooms. This type of insulation is biodegradable but performs just like more common insulation made from fossil fuels. 

Wool insulation

Like mushroom and straw bale insulation, wool is a biodegradable and natural resource that can also be used for insulation. The company Black Mountain USA sells loose and rolled wool that you can use to insulate your home. 

Soybean-based spray foam

Soybean-based spray foam is similar to regular insulation spray foam, but it doesn’t have any diphenyl diisocyanate, or MDI, which has been linked to health concerns like asthma and lung disease.

Construction materials

We don’t often stop to think about the effects that our everyday construction materials like concrete, drywall, and steel have on the environment. Here are some new products that are keeping sustainability in mind. 

Alternatives to concrete 

Concrete is a great multi-use product, but it’s not the best for the environment. Many companies have created alternatives to concrete such as Grasscrete, Hempcrete, Ashcrete, and Timbercrete. These materials can function like concrete but utilize natural resources in their production to limit carbon dioxide production. 

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ByBlocks are another alternative to concrete made from used plastic. These blocks function like concrete blocks but do not crack or crumble like them. In addition to reusing plastic waste, they take 41% fewer greenhouse emissions to create than concrete blocks.

Structural insulated panels

Building with structural insulated panels, or SIPs, can create an airtight and well-insulated finished product, which can help lower your heating and cooling costs. Additionally, they create less construction waste than other building products because they are pre-fabricated, unlike site-built framing.

Mushroom particle board replacement 

Just like the mushroom insulation, mushroom particle board is made from mycelium. THe company Ecovative produces these boards, which are a more eco-friendly alternative to those made from wood. 

Newspaperwood

Newspaperwood brings newspaper back to life as wood that can be used in construction. It even resembles wood due to the stacks of paper mimicking the look of wood grain. Additionally, after newspaperwood is used, it can be recycled again.  

Plant-based rigid foam

Rigid foam plays an important part in construction, but it usually cannot be recycled and is made from plastics. New, plant-based rigid foams are being created using biopolymers extracted from natural sources rather than fossil fuels. Bioleic makes a soy-based rigid foam. 

Alternative to pressure-treated wood 

Accoya wood is a great alternative to pressure-treated wood that is still durable enough for projects like decks or siding. The timber is modified with a process called acetylation that makes it rot-resistant.

Wall covers and finishes 

Air-purifying drywall

CertainTeed’s AirRenew drywall helps purify the air by capturing VOCs like formaldehyde, also making it a great choice for those with allergies or sensitivities. The drywall is also made up of up to 96% recycled content. 

Atmosphere purifying paint

VOC-free paints are becoming more popular as homeowners wish to reduce the amount of chemicals they release in their house when painting or remodeling. ECOS Paints help purify the air of the rooms they’re used in by absorbing and neutralizing VOCs, chemicals, and pollutants. 

Volcanic plaster wall finish 

Habitus has created the Shirasu Kabe plaster, which is made from Japanese volcanic soil. It has air-purifying, humidity-conditioning and deodorizing properties. The plaster comes in many earth tones and can be applied in a textured pattern.  

Novelio wall covering

The Novelio wall covering is a printbale glass textile wall covering that is not only sustainable but health-promoting thanks to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial technology. It’s PVC-free, removes formaldehyde from the air, and comes in a variety of finishes.  

Outdoor finishes

There’s no better place to go green than the outdoors. While many of the innovations listed above can be used outdoors, here are a few more specifically for the outside of your home. 

Green roofs

Green roofs have been around for a while, but the company LiveRoof has actually patented a green roof system that can be designed specifically for your home. Green roofs can help insulate your home and improve air quality. 

Smart glass

Smart glass, like that made by Halio and RavenWindow, can automatically tint to block out sunlight. This type of glass can reduce energy consumption while maximizing indoor light.  

Solar tiles 

While people have been putting solar panels on top of their roofs for quite some time, there’s a newer method that’s much more aesthetically pleasing: solar tiles or shingles. These tiles can replace or lay on top of your existing shingles. Many companies make these tiles, but perhaps the most well known is Tesla, which has created a very natural-looking product. 

Bark siding

Last but not least, we have an innovative product that also adds a beautiful design element to your home. Bark House is a B Corporation that creates bark siding and other natural wood finishes with sustainability in mind. Siding comes in various styles and thicknesses to create your ideal look. 

If you’re looking for a more sustainable way to renovate your home, be sure to check out the products and materials outlined in this blog post. And if you’re ready for a full-scale renovation, contact DYM Builders – we’ll take care of everything for you.