4 Natural Materials for your Home Build or Home Construction Project
Home construction and home design materials have come a long way from the toxic and polluting options that people have relied on in the past. There’s a growing range of home building and construction materials that are produced in sustainable ways that don’t harm animals and the environment. Some materials may even have the added benefit of trapping carbon. The problem is knowing where to start, sourcing materials, and finding out whether they meet local building codes. Not to mention choosing materials that suit the particular climate and the project you are embarking on. To help you narrow down your search, we have assembled this quick list of some of the best, sustainable cruelty free insulation materials for your green home design project:
1. Hempcrete and Hemp Wool
Hempcrete and hemp wool are forms of a sustainable, cruelty-free plant-based material that traps carbon, is fire resistant, pest resistant and can be used as insulation. Hemp wool is most often used for insulation. Hemp has an R value (ability to insulate and retain heat) that prevails over its lifespan, unlike other insulation where the insulating performance deteriorates. It is particularly good for handling moisture and it is mold resistant.
2. Cellulose
Cellulose is a sustainable insulation option that is made of 85% recycled material. Cellulose is made from the plant fiber used to make paper, and subsequently recycled to become cellulose. Cellulose has a low carbon footprint, because it is often produced from recycled materials and sold locally. Despite being a material made of paper, it is extremely fire safe and is treated to be a fire retardant. It also has a higher than average R value, and it has carbon storage properties that can reduce carbon.
3.Cork
Cork insulation is made from bark that is harvested by hand from the Cork oak. The bark is typically leftover bark that is unsuitable for the cork used in the wine-making industry. Cork oak forests are havens of biodiversity, so encouraging the growth of Cork oaks has additional environmental benefits. The process of production has a low carbon footprint and environmental impact. Cork insulation is used as an airtight alternative to spray foam insulation and it has a particularly high R value which adapts quickly to regular daily changes between much warmer or cooler temperatures, a benefit that could suit dry mountain or desert climates. Cork is also an excellent sound insulator.
4. Mushroom Insulation or Mycelium
Mycelium is a fascinating new material that involves growing fungi on agricultural waste like sawdust. Organic fungal bricks are produced that can be harvested for use as insulation. It is low cost, low impact, biodegradable and carbon sequestering. It’s R value is progressively improving as the material is fine tuned and it has good sound insulation properties.
Green Home Design and Green Interior Design
Green home design and green interior design offer opportunities to reimagine your home design in ways that are eco conscious, energy efficient and cruelty-free. The technology involved in green home design, green external design and green interior design is still emerging, so people embarking on their green home design or green interior design projects often need guidance on how to source the appropriate materials for their project. At Earth Science Design, our design consultants bring over ten years of research into the science of sustainability, green home design, biophilic design and green interior design to all our consultations. Each home project is different, catered to the different climates, ecosystems and social contexts in which people live. Whether you have a small apartment in NYC, or an off-grid home in New Mexico, our sustainable design consultants will work with you and any contractors, architects or other professionals to help you make the appropriate choices to suit your home and lifestyle. We connect you with our network of environmentally conscious suppliers and craftspeople to tailor the project to your specific needs and desires. We work with clients remotely or in person at our offices in San Diego, CA, Brooklyn, NY and Paris, Francis. Please contact us to learn more about our green interior design services.
