Increasing construction costs, environmental concerns and other factors have driven builders to find alternatives to traditional lumber. These greener materials are becoming more popular and are worth considering for your next project.
Natural raw materials can also be recycled and reused as building blocks, such as foam board that is used for display or print projects. Other examples include adobe bricks and rammed earth.
Steel Studs and Tracks
If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional wood framing, metal studs may be the answer. They’re a lot lighter than lumber and don’t warp over time, making them less susceptible to moisture and termite damage. Additionally, they’re fireproof, reducing the amount of flammable material in your home.
The two most common metal framing components are track and studs. The track caps the top and bottom of a wall stud, and the stud fits inside of it. ClarkDietrich offers both standard and slip track in the same gauge as wall studs.
When using a track, builders need to make sure the lip on the end of the stud is facing down, so it seats properly in the track. Otherwise, the stud will push against the track and twist it, which can cause gaps to form. For this reason, it’s important to mark where each stud is located on the floor and ceiling tracks before fastening them in place. It’s also recommended to use aviation snips to cut the studs, since this cuts them cleanly and reduces dust in the air.
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
Rather than stacking wood and steel, ICF blocks are made from foam encased in concrete. This combination creates strong walls that are more resilient to damage from wind, fire and flooding than wood frame construction. Additionally, ICFs are energy efficient.
While the initial costs of ICFs can be higher than traditional building materials, long-term energy savings more than make up for these added upfront expenses. They are ideal for below grade foundation walls, but they can also be used for above grade walls.
The concrete and foam combine to create a high R-Value wall that can reduce energy bills significantly. In fact, one study by CLEB Laboritories found that ICF walls are up to 60% more energy efficient than wood framed walls.
In addition to energy efficiency, ICFs are environmentally friendly. They are made from recycled foam and plastic, as well as Portland cement concrete and steel rebar. Some ICFs are even made from repurposed shipping containers. In addition, the foam in ICFs dampens sound transmission, making homes quieter and more peaceful. This is especially helpful for homes near roads or commercial areas.
Ferrock
Concrete is an essential construction material, but it requires significant energy to manufacture. The heating of limestone and clay to create cement generates carbon dioxide, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Ferrock is an eco-friendly alternative that uses recycled steel and silica to form a strong, solid material comparable to concrete.
The manufacturing process of Ferrock releases significantly less carbon dioxide than concrete, and it can be made using locally available materials. It also re-utilizes waste steel, which is cheaper than producing new steel. Furthermore, at the end of its lifespan, it can be crushed and used to make new Ferrock, which promotes a circular economy.
Other modern alternatives to traditional building materials include bamboo and hempcrete, which are both fast-growing plants that can be used to replace wood framing lumber. Both are versatile, strong, and insulating. They can be shaped to any project’s unique requirements, and they can withstand the elements. They also have the added benefit of being easy to transport and install. This helps keep projects on schedule and on budget.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource. It’s also a tough plant that can endure tropical climates. It’s been used for centuries, and has many practical uses.
Bamboos are often regarded as a sustainable alternative to wood. The bamboos that are grown for construction can be harvested and replaced within three to seven years. However, there are different types of bamboos, and some have longer lifecycles than others.
Many bamboos are used for food, and are consumed in China, Japan and Indonesia. The shoots are cooked or eaten raw and have a mild flavor. Bamboos can also be made into cloth and yarn. The fibre is made by dissolving the cellulose in the plant, and then extruding it into strips. Bamboo textiles are often blended with other cellulose fibres to create rayon.
Many bamboos are very tall and erect, making them ideal for use in windbreaks or to protect crops from high winds. Bamboos are also commonly used as scaffolding in China and Hong Kong, and can be a more attractive alternative to metal. Bamboo can grow in a variety of climates, from cold mountains to hot tropical areas. It occurs across East Asia, from 50 degN latitude in Sakhalin through northern Australia and west to India and the Himalayas. It also grows in sub-Saharan Africa and throughout the South American tropical rainforests to 47 degS latitude in southern Argentina and Chile.
Cork
One of the most innovative new alternative building materials is cork, which is a sustainable material that is used for flooring and exteriors. Cork is made from the bark of a tree and has many advantages over traditional wood products, including being mold resistant and breathable. It is also an environmentally friendly choice because it has a carbon-negative footprint.
Cob is another natural alternative building material that uses clay, sand, and straw to create walls. This material is mixed and hand-sculpted while still wet, and it can create structures that last for hundreds of years. However, the cost of specialized labor and additional building materials makes this method an expensive alternative to traditional construction. Its unique aesthetic is often valued by builders and home owners alike.