Cost-effectiveness is a complex concept, one that requires a holistic view of life-cycle costs. These considerations include material, labor, site and regulatory expenses, and energy use.
Rice husk ash concrete exemplifies the synergy of frugality and ingenuity. Poured earth construction likewise highlights the potential of locally available materials. Repurposed shipping containers showcase the value of resourcefulness in design and functionality.
Compressed Earth Blocks
Earth blocks are a popular building material in rural regions where traditional construction materials are expensive or hard to find. They are made with unfired earth masonry units that are compressed with a mechanical block press and stabilized with lime or cement to increase their strength and water resistance.
Earth block walls can be insulated for increased energy efficiency, and their breathability allows them to be used in hot or cold climates. This reduces the load on heating and cooling systems and makes them a good choice for seismic zones.
Strand Board
Oriented Strand Board, or OSB, is an affordable and versatile wood panel that can be used for subfloors, sheathing, and roofs. It is made from wood strands and waterproof glues, so it is resistant to warping and shrinking.
It is also an environmentally friendly material because it uses small pieces of wood instead of large logs, which reduces the need for harvesting new trees. Additionally, it makes use of crooked, knotty, and deformed wood that wouldn’t have been used otherwise. This helps to maximize forest utilization.
Fiber Reinforced Polymers
FRP composites are a great alternative to concrete and can extend the longevity of existing structures. They are also more cost-effective than traditional steel reinforcement.
FRP is a composite material consisting of a polymer matrix and a fiber reinforcement. The carbon fiber reinforcement provides stiffness and strength while the polymer matrix protects and binds the fibers together.
Unlike conventional steel rebar, GFRP rebar is corrosion-resistant and can significantly reduce maintenance costs. This is particularly helpful for commercial and public infrastructure upgrades including seismic retrofits. This also saves time as the production and installation process is quicker than for precast concrete.
Recycled Glass
Glass recycling is an excellent example of a sustainable building material that offers several cost-effective benefits. When used in insulation materials, recycled glass helps regulate temperature and reduce energy consumption, which lowers costs for heating and cooling and reduces reliance on fossil fuel-derived energy sources.
However, the majority of glass produced in America is not reused. Single-stream recycling—where all recyclables are co-mingled in a single bin—is problematic for glass, which shatters during the collection process and becomes difficult to sort. Large quantities of high-quality cullet are needed to boost US glass recycling rates.
Hempcrete
Hempcrete is a nontoxic material that is used as an insulation lining between drywalls. It’s made from hemp hurds, lime and pozzolanic additives. It has good thermal mass well above regulation standard, leading to 50% to 80% energy savings when compared to traditional brick built houses.
It is also vapor permeable and absorbs, stores, and releases moisture. This helps regulate humidity levels in a building and prevents the problems caused by trapped water in walls, such as mold.
Hemp is grown and processed locally, which reduces the environmental impact of shipping materials. Hempcrete also uses less concrete, reducing carbon emissions.
Wood Pallets
Wood pallets are cheap, durable, and easy to repair. They also provide excellent support and protection for goods, which helps improve warehouse efficiency.
Wooden pallets can be made from a variety of materials. Softwoods like pine are best for lighter loads, while hardwoods like oak are suitable for heavier applications.
However, poor-quality wooden pallets can cause damage to products and put workers at risk of infection. It’s important to choose a pallet that is heat-treated and free from pests. This will prevent bacteria from growing inside the pallet and damaging your product.
Poured Earth
Poured earth is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional concrete. It is environmentally friendly and requires less maintenance. It also resists weathering and aging.
Research into poured earth concrete (PEC) has been conducted by Clementine Browne of the University de Technologie de Compiegne. Her research aimed to derive PEC formulations that have high dry and wet strength, low water absorption, and minimal shrinkage.
A major benefit of this material is that it can be poured into wood or steel & concrete frames. This allows for insulation and a thermal break, resulting in lower energy costs.
Papercrete
Papercrete is an insulating material that can be molded into blocks or poured into forms to make walls. It utilizes waste paper that might otherwise go to the landfill and can be a cost-effective alternative to concrete.
It is strong enough to support load-bearing walls and is surprisingly insulating, at about R2 per inch. It’s also fire resistant and can be sawed, drilled, pounded and nailed using standard hand and power tools.
A tow mixer is the most economical way to mix large batches of papercrete. Other methods may require more investment but do not necessarily offer greater productivity.
Scrap Metal
Rather than discarding metal scrap, it’s often more cost-effective to bring it to a recycling facility. This is especially true when it comes to pure metals, such as copper and brass, that are regularly used in home renovation projects.
Contractors typically produce a lot of scrap metal during construction and demolition projects, but even homeowners can have large amounts of these materials lying around. Taking them to the scrap yard is an easy way to make money and help protect natural resources. The key is to identify what type of metal you’re dealing with and determine its value.
Cob
Known also as cob and clom (in Wales), this natural building material marries clay, sand, straw, and lime to create a durable, insulating construction. It is fireproof and resistant to seismic activity, and its sculptural aesthetic lends itself to both architectural and decorative applications.
These cost-effective materials are a testament to both resourcefulness and environmental responsibility in architecture. Whether used for walls, furniture, or entire structures, these materials demonstrate the possibilities of innovative design and creative use of existing building materials. They also represent a more efficient use of resources than traditional concrete and masonry.