In the construction world, traditional techniques and materials are often considered synonymous with sustainability even though that may not always be the case. With the current movement to switch to a more sustainable way of life, extending to the way we construct and build the environment around us, we’re encouraged to shift to more organic products which are often more traditional and less processed. With such an overlap between the two words, how do we differentiate between them and draw the line that separates the two?
Traditional Building Materials and Sustainable Building Materials; The Difference
In the case of building materials, traditional materials are those that have been used in a region or locality to construct shelters for a very long time. These can be specific to a region but often are directly sourced from the earth in their raw form. These mainly include mud, clay, stone, timber, straw, slate, lime, stucco etc.
All the centuries old building materials that we see being used in ancient and regional buildings are made using traditional materials.
Sustainable building materials, on the other hand, are building materials used to conserve the earth’s natural resources and reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of the building they are utilised in. Sustainable building materials in tandem with sustainable construction technologies, promote a cleaner, greener environment at the same time adding benefits such as better efficiency. Sustainable building materials of today include bamboo, recycled plastic, reclaimed wood, laminated timber, stone, hempcrete, rammed earth, cork, recycled glass, and aerated concrete.
Traditional building materials are mostly extracted from the earth and utilised in their untreated state, thus are a finite resource, while sustainable building materials focus on the reclamation of already extracted materials, to prevent further harm to the Earth’s resources, or the integration of these sources with the technology of today to improve their durability and lifespan. We might see instances where certain materials fall into both categories of materials eg: stone, mud bricks etc.
Environmental Impact
When we look at the environmental impact of traditional versus sustainable building materials, it’s clear that sustainability offers significant benefits. Traditional and modern materials like concrete and steel often require high energy for production and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, sustainable materials such as bamboo, recycled steel, and straw bales tend to have a lower carbon footprint and use fewer resources. Research shows that sustainable building can reduce energy consumption and waste, making it a more eco-friendly choice for construction. By choosing sustainable options, we can help protect the environment for future generations.
The extraction of raw materials for traditional building materials can lead to significant habitat destruction, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss.
The energy-intensive manufacturing processes for concrete and brick not only contribute to greenhouse gas emissions but also result in air and water pollution, further impacting ecosystems. Furthermore, traditional building materials often do not have longevity and are prone to deterioration over time. This means traditional materials require more upkeep or in certain cases need to be replaced, again requiring extraction efforts which have a negative impact on the environment.
Transitioning to sustainable building materials can reduce energy consumption and lower overall emissions, with studies showing potential reductions of up to 50% in some cases. (Emma Stewart, 2019)
According to the World Green Building Council, traditional construction activities consume 3 billion; approximately 40% of worldwide carbon emissions are attributed to building construction and the energy needed to run them. (Ukpanah, 2024)
Sustainable Building materials on the other hand are environmentally responsible at their core. Their manufacturing, build and usage are curated to minimise carbon emissions. Going green ensures our dependency on Earth’s natural resources is reduced. It also is a more conscious effort to ensure energy consumption and waste management are done efficiently and have a reduced impact on the environment around us.
Bamboo – Bamboo is one of the most versatile sustainable materials. It grows into its full strength in 3-4 years and can be used for construction after that period. Bamboo fields also require smaller amounts of land due to bamboo plants requiring lesser space than the average tree in terms of trunk span. They’re also excellent CO2 absorbers making them a very eco-friendly option.
Cork – Cork grows as the bark of a cork-oak tree and the best thing about this material is that the bark regenerates every few years, making one-time plantation usable for multiple rounds with minimum effort. The advantages of cork are many since it’s an extremely lightweight product, fire-retardant, and a great thermal insulator.
Hempcrete – Another alternative to concrete blocks and masonry bricks is Hempcrete, which are essentially blocks consisting of hemp fibres, lime, sand and water. They can be used for both construction and insulation. Hemp cultivation is a great absorber of CO2 making the process carbon negative. Another aspect of hempcrete is the product having biodegradable properties, so it naturally decomposes, unlike regular concrete. Hemp also has a short growth cycle, making it easier to replenish. Hempcrete also has great insulation properties, reducing the energy consumption of buildings it is utilised in.
Rammed Earth – Rammed earth is an ancient building technique that creates an environmentally friendly building material by using natural materials like soil, clay, lime and sand to create walls, foundations or floors via compaction. This method provides excellent thermal mass, making buildings energy-efficient and ideal for passive solar design.
Picture References:
- https://pngtree.com/freebackground/reimagining-traditional-building-materials-unleashing-creative-textures-and-patterns_13391822.html
- https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/356498/view/mud-bricks
- https://www.archdaily.com/966286/how-to-avoid-the-most-common-mistakes-when-building-with-bamboo/610bf82e03580b01640ea582-how-to-avoid-the-most-common-mistakes-when-building-with-bamboo-photo
- https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/green-building-materials
- https://taoclimate.com/hempcrete-a-sustainable-revolution-in-the-construction-industry/
- https://www.coloradohardscapes.com/rammed-earth-walls/
