What has been trending in the lifestyle sector for a long time is also continuing in the living sector: sustainability and future-proof construction are becoming increasingly important to Germans. For some time now, when building a house, people have not only placed importance on the modern look, but also thought about ecology and sustainability. Synthetic building materials contain chemical additives that are harmful to the environment in their production, difficult to dispose of and could be a cause of ever-increasing allergies and even cancer. According to resultsa large study from 201578 percent of those surveyed want environmentally friendly building materials that ensure a healthy living environment and do not harm their health. That's why natural building materials are increasingly coming to the fore in new buildings today. The spectrum ranges from drywall panels for interior work to natural insulation materials and environmentally friendly paints and varnishes. In the following article we would like to give you a general overview, even if we cannot cover the entire range of ecological building materials.
Environmentally friendly building materials are evaluated positively according to criteria such as environmental influences, energy and water waste during production, life and maintenance cycle and connection to other building materials. They should be low in pollutants, easily recyclable and durable. Other aspects to consider can be found in the following list:
- low energy requirements for production and pollution levels during construction and subsequent maintenance and care
- Avoidance of composite materials
- long service life and good repairability
- Reusability after demolition or at least low-emission destruction
Ecological thermal insulation
In view of constantly rising energy prices, good thermal insulation is playing an increasingly important role because it saves energy and therefore money. As with insulation materials, there are various ecological building materials that have clear advantages over thermal insulation materials rich in pollutants. Animal and plant building materials such as sheep's wool, wood products, hemp and seagrass are characterized by high density and heat storage capacity and are perfect for thermal insulation and sound insulation. Cellulose flakes and mineral wool are currently among the most popular ecological insulation materials.
Eco-friendly building materials for expansion panels
With expansion panels you can easily create partition walls, wall and ceiling cladding and improve thermal, impact sound and privacy protection in the room. However, since they have direct or indirect contact with the air in the room, some health criteria must be taken into account when selecting them. For example, the binders used in chipboard and OSB boards can have low emissions of formaldehyde and isocyanates. Gypsum, lime and cement are largely unproblematic and harmless to health. REA gypsum from STEAG is particularly environmentally friendly and is particularly ecologically beneficial because it is obtained as a waste product from flue gas desulfurization plants. Gypsum is used in interior construction in the form of building plasters such as plaster or fillers, gypsum plasterboard and gypsum fiber boards.
Ecological aspects of windows
There are also ecological aspects to consider when it comes to windows. Dangerous substances such as vinyl chloride or phthalates can outgas from plastic windows and combustion produces hydrochloric acids and dioxins. Good reasons that speak against the use of PVC indoors. Multi-insulated wooden windows are currently experiencing a boom because they are much more environmentally friendly and, with proper treatment and care, a long service life is guaranteed.
Environmentally friendly floor coverings
What is important about textile floor coverings is that they do not need to be treated with chemical agents to protect against moths and beetles. However, a variety of natural floor coverings are available to you today. Parquet and plank floors are still among the most popular types of flooring because of their timeless elegance, ease of installation and versatility in appearance. Cork is also a good alternative for health-friendly floor covering because it is sound-absorbing, pleasantly warm to the feet and insulating.
Ecological colors
When painting ceilings and walls, paints and plasters should be used that contain organic solvents made from plant-based raw materials. Here are a few natural colors you might consider:
–Clay color– It consists exclusively of natural components, has intensive coverage and is free of harmful additives. To paint, simply mix the powder with water. Depending on the desired color, appropriate color pigments are added. It is still breathable, moisture-regulating and odor-absorbing.
–Natural resin emulsion paint– Important components of these versatile wall paints are natural resins, boron salts, vegetable oils and binding agents such as chalk and titanium dioxide. As a rule, natural resin emulsion paints are solvent-free, can be diluted with water, and are smudge- and wash-resistant.
–Silicate wall paint– The silicate paints are low-emission, solvent-free and are among the most durable paints for inside and outside. Due to their mineral components, they are considered particularly ecological and are a popular choice when it comes to sustainable materials for indoor use. Due to their natural alkalinity, they have a disinfecting effect and do not provide a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria, reducing the risk of mold infestation.
–Lime paint against mold– Ready-to-use lime paints are now offered by many natural paint manufacturers. Thanks to its moisture-regulating and disinfecting effect, lime paint is particularly suitable for damp rooms. A disadvantage that can be mentioned is its relatively low opacity, which is why strong colors cannot be achieved with lime paints.
