How to Seamlessly Integrate New Materials in Construction for Sustainable Projects
There is currently a growing movement in the construction industry to incorporate sustainable materials into projects of all types and scales. The reduction of our environmental impact is a priority across all industries, and construction is no different. Luckily, there are many biodegradable new materials for construction that not only reduce environmental impact, but allow for some interesting innovations in design and construction too.
Modern Building Materials for Sustainable Construction
Among the materials that are starting to trend in the construction industry, some are completely new, while others are natural substances that have long been in use, but are now being employed in some exciting new ways.
The current trends arise from an increasing environmental consciousness in the industry, especially regarding what happens to buildings and their components at the end of their lifecycles. With awareness of biodegradable materials and some innovative new design approaches, architects and builders are now making smart choices spanning the entirety of a building’s lifetime. Here are some modern building materials that are currently making waves in the world of architecture:
- Cork: This lightweight plant material is completely biodegradable, and it also has plenty of desirable qualities for construction: it is a fire retardant and a great acoustic insulator, and is also waterproof.
- Bamboo: Much like cork, bamboo is far more versatile than most people realize. Aside from being enormously sustainable and renewable, bamboo is also incredibly strong – it has greater structural strength than steel.
- Sand: Yes, ordinary desert sand is playing a great role as an environmental innovator in the construction industry. It is used in the creation of a composite, concrete-like material called Finite, which uses desert sand, rather than fine white sand in its formulation. Desert sand is available worldwide in abundance, while supplies of fine white sand are starting to run out.
- Bioplastics: Plastic has become an environmental nightmare, which has led to the search for more sustainable ways of creating materials with all the benefits of plastic. Enter bioplastics: made from plant materials such as soybeans, it breaks down much faster and produces biomass, unlike traditional plastic. It is rapidly making inroads into the construction sector.
- Gypsum plasterboard: Gypsum boards are not new, but they certainly are an important contributor to sustainable construction. Gypsum is biodegradable, but it can also be recycled and turned into new construction materials once the original plasterboards and other gypsum-based materials have reached their end of life.
How Advanced Construction Materials Change the Way We Build
The materials listed above and many others are opening up new possibilities in the industry, providing for a more sustainable future with more efficient building methods, less pollution, less waste, and increased circularity in the sector’s economy. Many of these materials are not yet widely used, but they are inspiring new innovations in design and construction methods, and are likely to have a more prominent presence in the years to come.
What Material Is Used for Drywall in New Construction?
Drywall remains a staple in many different types of construction designs and processes. Even with the rapid development of new, alternative materials, gypsum remains the most common material used in the production of drywall. It is biodegradable and recyclable, which makes it a fitting addition to the list of sustainable, eco-friendly construction materials.
Mada Gypsum manufactures a variety of construction solutions, including gypsum plasterboard, finishing materials, tiles, metal profiles and accessories. If you are looking to incorporate more new materials in construction projects, be sure to consider our solutions. Contact us for more information.
