Energy-Efficient Building Materials

Building an energy-efficient home is a great idea. Most modern buildings are built with the issues of energy efficiency in mind. There is a wide range of energy-efficient building materials available in the market for builders. Let's take a look at some of the efficient building materials you can use. 

Recycled steel

It only takes six scrap cars to build an average house. The steel beams are more efficient than the wooden ones and can be used for specific designs. The other major benefit is that steel is long lasting and can be used in areas that are prone to high winds and earthquakes. 

Insulated concrete forms

Insulated concrete forms have been in the market for more than fifty years and are getting more popular because of their high energy level efficiency. The concrete can be used in building blocks and free standing walls. 

Plant-based polyurethane foam

Plant-based polyurethane is a safe building material made from natural materials such as hemp, kelp and bamboo. It is has high resistance to heat, moisture and offers great protection to pests and mold. It is far much better than polystyrene and fiberglass that have been used for long. 

Straw bales

This is another resilient energy-efficient building material that's been used for many years for making beds and for roofing. Straw bales have great insulation properties and if it is kept free of moisture it can last for a very long time and bond well to plaster.

Cool roof

Cool roofing technology has been in place for quite sometimes. This technology enhances heat dissipation and lowers your home temperature during the hot days. It is also environmental friendly because of its ability to reduce the heat in the atmosphere. They have high ability to reflect the sunlight, leading to heat reduction in your house.

Structural insulated panels

Structural insulated panels are made from a layer of foam insulation sandwiched between cement panels and plywood. One of its major advantage is that it is fire-resistant, making it effective for foundations, floors and basements. There is a wide range of the materials to choose from, but the level of energy efficiency is the same.

Plastic composite lumber

This lumber is made from wood fiber and waste plastic and can last for many years compared to the conventionally treated wood. In addition, it has high resistance to mold and rot. Plus, it's stronger in the cold and more pliable in the heat compared to plastic building materials.

Low e-windows

Low e-windows- also known as high performance windows- are a perfect substitute for regular glass. They help reduce heat during summer and block infrared radiation. They are coated with metal oxide and help keep your house warm during the cold season.

Vacuum insulation panels

These panels are mostly used for commercial refrigeration units and may be used for general home building in the future. They are made of textured silver rectangle that encloses a core panel in an airtight envelope. This means that there is a reduction of heat loss leading to greener homes.

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Fire Resistant Siding and Roofing Materials

All buildings can catch fire. But buildings that are built of fire-resistant materials give the residents enough time to escape in the event of a fire. Fire-resistant materials need not necessarily be noncombustible, but they possess properties that slow down the spreading of fire.

Here is a quick overview of fire-resistant siding and roofing materials:

Fiberglass-Based Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the least expensive residential roofing materials. They are also fire-resistant. Fiberglass-based shingles offer excellent fire resistance, especially when they are installed with underlayments that comply with fire codes.

Metal Tile

Metal tiles aren't combustible and when they have fire-resistant barrier materials under them, they offer excellent protection from fire. These tiles are lightweight and don't require much maintenance.

Clay Tile

Clay tiles are not only durable but also noncombustible.

Recycled-Rubber Tile

Roofing materials made of recycled rubber are light weight. They are also quite cheap. Better still, they meet tough fire resistance requirements.

Slate

Nothing can beat slate in terms of elegance, beauty and versatility. These tiles are almost indestructible and noncombustible. Slate tiles are heavy, so you need to ensure that your roof is strong enough to support them.

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement shingles have excellent fire resistance. They are made from a mixture of sand, wood and Portland cement. They can withstand high heat for up to 4 hours. If you are planning to use fiber-cement sidings, you need to add gypsum-board underlayments. This will offer maximum protection against fire.

However, you need to remember that you can't get protection from fire by simply cladding your house in fire-resistant roofing and siding materials. If there are cracks or holes in the walls, the embers will find their way inside.  Other inflammable surfaces also increase the risk of fire. So don't forget to enclose soffits and eaves with a fire-retardant trim.

Stone Veneer

Stone veneer is another noncombustible natural material that you can use to wrap your roof. By using fire-rated mortar and repairing cracks periodically, you can prevent the stones from popping off under the heat of a fire.

Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS)

An EIFS finish does not look much different from stucco. It is created by applying an acrylic cement finish over a fiberglass lath. By adding a foam insulation layer to the back of the cement, you can prevent cracking. Note that some EIFS products don't have fire ratings because the noncombustible materials in them will readily fall off when they are confronted with heat. However, EIFS will not make the underlying wall system vulnerable to fire.

Treated Wood

Natural wood is highly inflammable. However, several roofing and siding companies now sell shingles and clapboards mixed with fire-retardant chemicals. If you use them, you should retreat the wood periodically to retain its fire resistant property because chemicals can leach out over time.

Masonry

Fire retardant stucco walls and bricks offer decent protection from fire provided that they are of the required thickness. While these materials are slightly expensive, they will last decades if they are properly installed and maintained. A layer of gypsum is more than enough to slow down the conduction of heat from your siding to your framing.

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