29 Green Building Materials For Sustainable Homes

Here are the 29 green building materials used for construction to make your home more sustainable. 

Let’s start with the structural materials. 

1. Recycled Steel

Recycled steel is made from melted scrap and is strong, and requires far less energy than fresh steel production. It can be used for beams, columns, and roofing frames. It is also termite-proof and doesn’t crack like wood. 

2. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)

CLT is made by stacking wood layers in opposite directions and bonding them. It is extremely strong and can replace concrete or steel in entire building frames. It also stores carbon rather than emitting it. 

3. Glulam (Glued Laminated Timber)

Glulam is made by glueing multiple timber pieces under pressure to form beams. It i strong, flexible and perfect for curved or long spans. It is durable, lighter than steel, and looks beautiful in exposed ceilings. 

4. Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is old wood salvaged from demolished buildings. It is stronger than new timber because it has been naturally seasoned. 

5. Rammed Earth

Walls or any structures built using the rammed earth technique are made out of mixing soil, sand and clay between wooden frames. It gives an earthy look and requires no paint. It provides natural insulation and keeps the indoor temperature stable. 

6. Cob

Cob is a mix of clay, sand and straw sculpted by hand into thick walls. It is breathable, has excellent thermal mass, and can last for centuries if protected from heavy rain. It is one of the best green building materials you can ever come across.

7. Cordwood

In cordwood construction, short wood logs are stacked with mortar like bricks. It gives a circular wooden pattern on the wall, and when sealed well, it provides good insulation and a cosy visual. 

8. Earthbags

In this construction, bags filled with soil or sand are stacked like bricks and held together with barbed wire. They are sturdy, inexpensive, and excellent at withstanding earthquakes and floods. 

9. Earth-Packed Tires

Old vehicle tires are packed with compacted earth and used like bricks. They create thick, solid walls with great thermal mass, making them ideal for off-grid and energy-efficient buildings. 

10. Shipping Container Scraps

Parts of retired containers are reused to make structures. The metal is strong and already engineered to handle extreme conditions. 

11. Steel Rods

Choose recycled steel rods over new ones, as this one small change can reduce your project’s environmental impact without compromising on strength. 

12. Stone

Natural stone is durable, fire-resistant and can be used endlessly. It’s perfect for plinths, boundary walls, and sometimes even an entire home in certain climates. 

Moving forward, we will explore the wall and insulation materials. 

13. Straw Bale

Bundles of dry straws are tightly stacked to form walls. Once plastered, they are fire-resistant and offer excellent thermal insulation. They are one of the best green building materials.

14. Hempcrete

Hemcrete is made from hemp stalks and lime. It is lightweight, regulates humidity and does not crack like concrete. 

15. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC)

AAC blocks are made with air pockets that provide insulation and reduce weight. They use less cement and are easy to cut. 

Also read: Into the eco-friendly green homes of celebrities.

16. Cement-Bonded Wood Fibre Boards

Cement-bonded wood fibre bonds are made from wood waste and cement. They are fire-resistant, termite-proof, and provide sound insulation.  

17. Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

SIPs are factory-made panels with foam insulation sandwiched between boards. They speed up construction, reduce air leakage, and help maintain indoor temperature. 

18. Mycelium

Mycelium is a fungus-based material grown in molds to form bricks or panels. It is biodegradable and fire-resistant. 

19. Pollution Absorbing Bricks

Pollution-absorbing bricks have special pores that capture dust and pollutants from the air.

20. Compressed Earth Blocks

Soil is compressed into bricks without baking. It retains natural colour, balances humidity, and cuts down on cement use. 

Now, let’s look into the windows, glazing, and thermal control materials. 

21. uPVC Windows & Doors

uPVC frames are airtight, weather-resistant, keep the noise and heat out, and stay strong for decades with minimal maintenance. 

Explore GreenFortune’s uPVC windows & doors collection. 

22. High Performance Windows & Glazing

Double or triple-glazed windows with special coatings reduce heat gain and block UV rays. 

Roofing and solar materials for you.

23. Cool Roofing Materials

Cool roofing materials include white or reflective tiles, paints, or membranes that lower the roof surface temperature. They can reduce the room temperature by 5 to 10°C. 

24. Solar Tiles

Solar tiles are roof tiles that generate electricity, thus cutting down power bills. Unlike bulky panels, they match your roof design. 

Here are the flooring, finishes, and interior materials.

25. Bamboo

Bamboos are stronger than wood and grow in 4 years. It can be used for flooring, furniture, partitions, and ceilings. 

26. Cork

Cork comes from the bark and not the tree. It is moisture-resistant, naturally anti-allergy, and soft underfoot. 

27. Terrazzo

Terrazzo is made from marble chips, glass and stone waste, mixed in cement. It looks stylish and is also long-lasting. 

28. Recycled Glass

Recycled glass can be used in tiles, sinks, or counters. They are easy to maintain and reflect light beautifully. 

29. Newspaper Wood

Newspapers are tightly rolled, glued, polished and used like wood for decor and shelves. 

Also read: How can windows and doors contribute to a green building?