Like any consumer niche, sustainable building can suffer from inflated pricing, especially when you renovate your home, as some assume eco-minded consumers will pay more to support their ideals.
However, the growth of green industries has helped balance supply and demand, resulting in more affordable options for homeowners and builders interested in creating carbon-conscious dwellings.
If you’re looking for sustainable and affordable options to renovate your home, several green building materials meet your needs:
- Bamboo flooring
- Bamboo plywood
- Reclaimed wood
- MagPanel®
- Concrete
- Recycled glass
What makes these six options ideal when you renovate your home?
1. Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is an incredibly sustainable and renewable resource. While hardwood species can take decades to grow, bamboo can reach full height in just three to four years, and it requires relatively little water to thrive.
Practical Benefits
Bamboo flooring is lightweight but strong, reducing the carbon footprint for transport while delivering similar practical benefits to the types of wood used in interior design. It’s naturally resistant to pests and offers low-maintenance appeal. Pricing reflects the fact that this material is less expensive to grow, harvest, and ship than hardwood.
Aesthetic Benefits
In addition to practical advantages, bamboo flooring is available in a range of colors and styles to suit any interior aesthetic and personal taste. If you’re looking for attractive, durable flooring that’s sustainable and affordable, bamboo is an ideal choice.
2. Bamboo Plywood
Bamboo plywood offers all the same benefits as bamboo flooring and is frequently used for cabinets, shelving, and surfaces like countertops. When you choose unfinished bamboo plywood, you’ll enjoy beautiful, expressive grain patterns that you can highlight with any color stain you prefer. This product is the perfect complement to popular contemporary styles like minimalist and Scandinavian design.
3. Reclaimed Wood
It can be difficult to reconcile eco-friendly sensibilities with a love for the look of hardwood. While luxury vinyl flooring is an attractive and affordable modern alternative, you could also enjoy the timeless appeal of real hardwood when you choose reclaimed wood flooring.
However, pricing for reclaimed wood varies widely, so you’ll have to do your homework to find an affordable option.
4. MagPanel®
Home renovations require replacing more than surface materials. If you’re embracing a green lifestyle, you must also consider what can’t be seen when the project is complete.
What Is MagPanel®?
MagPanel® is a magnesium oxide (MgO) board used in construction for walls, ceilings, subfloors, and more. This material is strong, durable, fire-resistant, and more eco-friendly than traditional MgO boards, thanks to the inclusion of sulfate instead of chloride. Why is this distinction important?
Sulfate Is Better Than Chloride
Chloride-based MgO boards have one notable drawback: When exposed to high humidity, they “weep” chloride ions that can be corrosive. If you want to laugh all the way to the bank, MagPanel® is the clear choice.
Did You Know? MagPanel® is free of harmful substances, and it can be broken down and blended into soil to act as a nutrient when you’re ready to dispose of it.
5. Concrete
Concrete is a compelling option for construction when you renovate your home. It’s strong, durable, and incredibly affordable, and when recycled concrete aggregate is used (incorporating crushed, recycled concrete), the eco-friendly factor increases.
Although this versatile material can be customized in a variety of ways, the aesthetic doesn’t suit every space. If you can see it working for your interior, consider these practical benefits:
- Resistance to wear
- Minimal waste
- Easy maintenance
- Interior temperature regulation
Once relegated to sidewalks and patios, concrete has become a popular choice for interior applications and even pioneering practices like 3D-printed homes.
Did You Know? Concrete can be stamped, dyed, and treated to look like other materials, including natural stone, brick, mosaic tile, wood, and even leather.
6. Recycled Glass
Recycled products require fewer raw materials and less energy to produce, making them not only more sustainable but often more affordable as well. This is certainly the case with recycled flat glass, which utilizes cullet (waste glass) to create new panes for windows, doors, mirrors, decorative tiles, and more.
Is Green Building Becoming More Affordable?
The short answer is yes. Innovation and the increased availability of materials through mature supply chains are reducing the costs of green building.
Updated building codes that account for green materials help remove barriers to affordability as well. Even for less affordable options, many eco-friendly building materials can save money long-term by reducing maintenance costs or energy and water consumption.
Green Building Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
More consumers are committed to reducing their carbon footprint when it comes to purchasing everything from foodstuffs to vehicles to home renovations. Like any consumer decision, however, the best intentions can be impacted by budgetary constraints.
When you’re planning a home remodel, it pays to spend time researching green building materials. You’ll be happy to find attractive options like bamboo, concrete, and recycled glass that not only support your eco-friendly ideals but also offer budget-friendly pricing.
About the Author
Sarah’s love for home design and renovation runs as deep as her love for a good dad joke! 😄 She’s been crafting content with the fantastic folks at Ambient Building Products for years, and when it comes to homes, this gal is the real deal.
From DIY adventures to pro collaborations, she’s worn all the hats, and not just because she’s a fan of stylish headgear. In her own abode, she’s overseen her fair share of projects, making her a true home improvement aficionado.
But what really makes her heart skip a beat are those eco-friendly, energy-efficient upgrades that not only make your house look good but also feel good. Sarah’s all about adding value to your home, one pun and one project at a time! 💚💡