31
May, 2023
7 Tips for Building Your Home With Natural Materials

7 Tips for Building Your Home With Natural Materials

There has been a growing interest in sustainable living and environmentally friendly practices in recent years. One significant aspect of this movement is using natural materials in construction, which reduces the environmental impact and promotes healthier living spaces. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of using natural materials for building your home and provide essential tips to help you embark on your journey toward sustainable construction.

1. Understanding Natural Materials

Natural materials, such as wood, stone, bamboo, and clay, have been used in construction for centuries. They are renewable, biodegradable, and have a lower carbon footprint compared to synthetic materials. By utilizing these materials, you can create a home that blends harmoniously with the environment while minimizing the use of non-renewable resources.

2. Choosing the Right Natural Materials

When selecting natural materials for your home, consider factors such as durability, local availability, and sustainability. Opt for certified sustainably sourced wood, reclaimed materials, or locally available stone and clay. These choices not only support local economies but also reduce the environmental impact associated with long transportation distances.

3. Incorporating Passive Design Strategies

Utilize the inherent properties of natural materials to maximize energy efficiency in your home. For example, using thick, insulating walls made of natural materials can help regulate indoor temperature, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling. Design features like large windows for natural lighting and cross-ventilation can further enhance energy efficiency and create a comfortable living environment.

4. Harnessing the Power of Natural Energy

7 Tips for Building Your Home With Natural Materials

Consider integrating renewable energy systems into your home design. Solar panels, wind turbines, or geothermal heating and cooling systems can help you generate clean energy, reducing your reliance on fossil fuels. By combining natural materials with sustainable energy solutions, you can create a truly eco-friendly and self-sufficient home.

5. Engaging Skilled Professionals

When embarking on a project involving natural materials, it is crucial to work with architects, contractors, and craftsmen experienced in sustainable construction. Their expertise will ensure proper installation, effective use of materials, and adherence to green building standards. Collaborating with professionals who share your vision for sustainable living is essential for a successful and environmentally conscious home construction project.

6. Prioritizing Water Efficiency

Incorporate water-saving features into your home design. Install low-flow fixtures, such as faucets and showerheads, and consider implementing rainwater harvesting systems for irrigation purposes. Designing your landscape with native, drought-tolerant plants can also minimize water usage and maintenance requirements.

7. Embracing Natural Ventilation and Lighting

Take advantage of natural ventilation and lighting in your home design. Strategically position windows and openings to allow for cross ventilation and maximize the entry of natural light. This reduces the need for artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation, promoting energy efficiency and creating a more comfortable and healthy indoor environment.

Constructing your home with natural materials is a significant step towards sustainability. By utilizing renewable resources, minimizing environmental impact, maximizing energy efficiency, prioritizing water efficiency, and embracing natural ventilation and lighting, you can create a home that promotes a healthier and greener lifestyle. Remember to research, plan, and work with experienced professionals to ensure the successful implementation of your sustainable home construction project. Embrace the beauty and benefits of natural materials, and let your home be a testament to your commitment to a more sustainable future.

By following these essential tips, you can embark on a rewarding journey of constructing a home that not only provides comfort and shelter but also contributes to a healthier planet.

(Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional advice. Consult with experts in sustainable construction for personalized guidance.)

21
Jul, 2021

Towards Sustainability | Building Your Home With Natural Materials

Summary

 – The natural wood frame

 – The natural roof

 – Natural walls

 – The natural insulation

 Do you want to build your home with natural materials but don’t know where to start? No problem, this post tells you everything you need to know. The different ways to build an ecological house are:

 Natural materials can be used at each stage of the construction, from the frame to the roof, through the walls and insulation.

 The natural wood frame

 What type of wooden house to build?

 Wood is an ideal solution for building a solid and environmentally friendly framework. This natural material allows a quick assembly of the frame in a few days and a clean and dry building site.

 

 In addition, wood can be combined with brick, stone, or wood panels according to preference.

 

 For a reduced cost and a limited grey energy balance, you will take care to adopt a local wood species.

 The natural roof

 Roofing requires a high-quality choice of material and installation. Several options exist for a natural and robust roof.

 Wood roofing

 Shingles, or wood shakes, are back on the scene after being neglected.

 Lightweight, insulating, environmentally friendly, and able to withstand years of use, wood shingles require a budget comparable to that of traditional clay tiles (about $30/m²).

 Clay roofing

 Terracotta tiles are now widely used around the world. The most natural and dye-free tiles are the most durable, lasting up to two centuries! Light, non-flammable, they are aesthetically pleasing and develop a patina over time.

 There are three types of tiles and terra cotta:

 – the canal tile of conical shape,

 – the flat tile,

 – the mechanical tile with a system of grooves allowing the interlocking.

 Natural walls

Several realistic possibilities are possible to build the walls of the house.

 Wooden walls

 Wooden panels are frequently used in wood-frame houses. Durable, suitable hygrometric regulators, insulating and warm, they are ecologically sound.

 It is important to choose wood with the FSC or PEFC label (i.e., from responsibly and sustainably managed forests) and avoid imported exotic woods.

 Brick walls

 A noble and natural material, brick has good thermal and sound insulation qualities. It also has good inertia and fire resistance. It is one of the most attractive ecological materials for the quality/price ratio.

 Raw earth walls

 Indeed, the raw earth is a perfect thermal and phonic insulator. It is the simplest and most ecological material, along with wood. It is used to build walls or to reinforce the insulation. Moreover, it is an excellent thermal regulator throughout the year.

 The natural insulation

 Insulation is a crucial step in the construction process since the comfort of a home depends mainly on the quality of its thermal and sound insulation. In this field, many natural and efficient solutions exist.

 Cork

 This insulating material, which comes from the cork oak tree, offers profound environmental and mechanical qualities. Lightweight, it is available in sheets, in bulk, or granules. It is used in non-habitable attics, floors, walls, and roofs.

 It is moisture resistant, rot-proof, self-extinguishing, and stable over time.

 Price: about $31/m² for 100 mm thickness.

 Wood fiber

 Excellent thermal insulation, it is also effective for soundproofing. Perfect for floors, walls, roofs, and partitions, it is available in rigid, semi-rigid, and loose boards.

 Wood fiber insulation:

  • ages well 
  • is not very flammable,
  • and acts as a hygrometric regulator.

 Price: From $15 to $20/m² for 100 mm thickness.

 Hemp wool

 This natural wool offers excellent thermal and phonic insulation qualities for walls, partitions, attics, and roofs. Hemp is naturally rot-proof, anti-fungal, and thermo-regulating.

 Price: about $15/m².

 Flax fiber

 This insulation is made from flax fibers that are too short to be used in the textile industry. It is impregnated with boron salt to resist insect, rodent, mold, and fire attacks. It provides good insulation for attics, roofs, and walls. Rotproof, it resists well to fire and settling.

 Price: about $15/m².

 The sheep wool

 It is an excellent thermal and phonic insulator, in particular on-air noises. Sheep’s wool exists in panels, rolls, felt, or in bulk. It is generally reserved for the roof and lost attic. The wool of sheep and little inflammable and tends to the auto-extinction. It is, however, reinforced with a boron salt treatment.

 Price: 12 $/m² approximately in 100 mm of thickness.

 Duck feathers

 The thermal and phonic performances are good. Available in rolls or panels, this insulation is used for non-habitable attics, added ceilings, walls, wood-frame houses, or under floating floors.

 Price: between $20 and $25/m².

 Cellulose wadding

 Ecological and efficient, this insulation has one of the best inertia. It can be found in panels, in bulk or granules, for many uses: lost attics, walls, partitions, floors, construction voids, false ceilings. Lightweight, cellulose wadding effectively prevents thermal bridges.

 Price: $20/m² for 100 mm thickness.

 

 Hope that this article will have brought you enough ideas on what kind of home you can build using natural materials while respecting sustainable development.