Green Home Building and Natural Materials
There are many building materials available today that support a sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. Some green home-building materials involve little more than straw, dirt and water. Does this Spark an idea?
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Straw Bale
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Straw-bale construction makes use of organic byproducts left over from processing cereal grains. Compared with wood, straw bale construction is usually less expensive and provides greater resistance to damage from pests and fire since it is a highly compact material that inhibits combustion. It is also a sustainable example of green home-building initiatives, since the material can be rendered in a single season.
Kirei Board
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Kirei board is made from reclaimed stalks of sorghum, a grass cultivated in northern China as a cereal crop and around the globe as livestock fodder. Kirei board is used as flooring, wall paneling or cabinetry.
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Clay Tile Roofing
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Clay tile requires minimal maintenance and is resistant to the effects of fire and wind. However, since hail can severely damage clay tile, this material may not be suitable for use in certain climates.
Adobe Flooring
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Adobe, which consists of a mixture of fine clay, sand, straw and water, is poured over a subflooring of packed gravel and sand, a process similar to pouring and smoothing concrete. However, unlike concrete, adobe floors can take weeks to completely cure.
Cellulose Insulation
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Blown cellulose insulation consists of recycled newspaper. Ammonium sulfate is added as a fire retardant, as well as borates to deter pests.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Bale of straw image by Wingwalker 01 from Fotolia.com
