As consumer expectations lean more toward sustainability and green home construction practices, the materials that we use are also evolving. Gone are the days when green buildings focused only on water and energy conservation. In addition to achieving net zero energy, it is expected that the very bones of your home be built from materials that help the environment, rather than harm it. When you opt for recycled home construction materials, you take something that would otherwise be wasted and use it to conserve other resources. It’s a win-win for the environment and for you. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three top trends for recycled home construction materials in 2016.

Wood frames are being ditched in favor of recycled steel.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, you would need about 26 trees (with a diameter of 22” and a height of at least 100 feet) to frame the average 2,000 square foot home. Switching to a recycled material can have a profound impact on the health and longevity of our forests, and the benefits are two-fold when that recycled material comes from something that is crowding our landfills anyway.

Each year, approximately 12-15 million vehicles reach the end of their useful lives in the United States alone. By using the steel that has been recycled from these cast away cars and trucks, we are reducing the amount of vehicular waste and constructing homes that are better able to withstand natural disasters.

Foundations are being made from eco-friendly concrete alternatives.

Would you believe that after coal-powered electricity, concrete is the biggest culprit in our global greenhouse gas production? Its production requires an exorbitant amount of energy and fossil fuel, and it accounts for approximately 5% of the worldwide annual CO2 production.

Our industry’s top innovators have recognized this problem, and they have given us so many viable green alternatives that we can’t possibly name them all for you here. A few examples include Ashcrete, papercrete, carbon concrete, ceramicrete, foam concrete, and other composite materials consisting of a variety of recycled waste.

Green insulation is becoming more innovative and gaining popularity.

Classic spray polyurethane foam insulation is not only harmful to the environment, but has (somewhat) recently been recognized as a serious health threat. This has been a driving factor for the development of safer insulation alternatives, but as it turns out, we are finding that going “back to basics” is probably the best alternative there is. A few examples include:

• Cotton denim insulation, which is created from recycled industrial scraps

• Cellulose insulation, made from recycled paper and other eco-friendly fibers

• Mineral wool, which can be made from up to 90% recycled materials

There are also some newer, safer spray foam products that are expected to come to market ahead of the EPA’s proposed ban on certain ingredients that are found in the spray foam that is currently available to consumers. However, if you want the safest and eco-friendliest option, we suggest sticking with tried-and-true recycled materials while these new technologies mature.

The use of recycled home construction materials does not stop at the foundation and frame of your home. Today, everything from countertops to floors and even light fixtures are being created from recycled waste. Whether you are speaking in terms of form or function, recycled products are a great choice. If you would like to learn more about the use of recycled materials for a greener, healthier home environment, contact a member of our team to schedule a consultation.