From Guest Blogger Amelia Atkins: Five Environmentally Friendly Construction Materials to Change Commercial Buildings

Commercial buildings used to be constructed with little consideration of their environmental impact. Most of them were made out of concrete and steel, which gave them a sturdy and impressive look, but it was also rather damaging to the environment around them.

This is starting to change, because young companies are very much aware of their image and of their broader role in the community. This innovation represents a new challenge for both the construction and the design of commercial properties. The biggest change is the materials that are being used for construction – they need to be versatile and safe, while also remaining eco-friendly.

Sustainably harvested materials

Using natural materials such as wood and straw has its advantages. They are relatively inexpensive and it’s easy to heat, maintain and conserve a building made mostly out of these materials. However, the problem arises when they are overused, because deforestation can create numerous environmental issues.

This is why a lot of attention is given to sustainable harvesting and using natural materials that aren’t being destroyed by the harvesting process. Bamboo trees are the most popular at the moment because they have the look and feel of any other type of wood, but the bamboo tree doesn’t need to be cut down entirely when collected.

Recycled plastic

Plastic is one of the most dangerous materials in common use. It’s not biodegradable and it takes thousands of years to decompose. The only thing we can do is find ways to recycle and repurpose it. Now plastic is finding its use in construction.

Plastic was often used for flooring because it’s easy to install and can even be a DIY project for smaller businesses. Now it’s mostly a part of the building insulation. Using plastic in this manner can help you reduce heating bills significantly. It’s also a good idea to use plastic from local landfills to further reduce the carbon footprint.

Alumina bricks

Alumina bricks like the ones provided by Alex International for Mining and Refractories (AIMR) are one of the most versatile and sturdy materials out there. These bricks are resistant to corrosion and they don’t wear out at all.

The biggest advantage of alumina bricks is in the insulation they provide. Constructing commercial buildings with such bricks means that you won’t have to spend nearly as much on heating and cooling. That can really add up in the long run.

Rammed earth construction

Rammed earth is one of the oldest building techniques out there. It’s literally been around for thousands of years and there are reasons why our ancestors used this technology without too many problems for that long. First and foremost it’s an inexpensive material that can be found literally everywhere.

There are a few limitations of using this material to be aware of, however. There’s a limit as to how tall the building made this way can be. That can present a problem for some commercial properties, while others could actually benefit from being different in both the construction and the design.

Ferrock

Ferrock is usually advertised as a green alternative to concrete. That is what it is for the most part and that’s why it’s gaining popularity. Concrete emits large quantities of CO2 during the construction process and is, at this point, responsible for about 5 percent of CO2 emission in the world overall.

Ferrock is largely made of iron-rich ferrous rock, which makes it a recycled material. The waste steel dust that’s otherwise discarded during the construction is collected and reused to make ferrock. Besides being more eco-friendly, ferrock is also much stronger than concrete and can withstand a lot more pressure.

The construction business is changing rapidly because it needs to reflect the realities of climate change and the damage people make to the environment.

The technologies behind it must also adapt in the same way, and this is best visible in the use of modern building materials.