Alternative Building MaterialsThere is a litany of alternative building materials, that can be used for green building. Amongst the most well known are Cobb and Straw Bales. Cob, cobb or clom is a natural building material made from subsoil, water, some kind of fibrous organic material (typically straw), and sometimes lime. Cob is amongst the most popular alternative building materials because it is fireproof, inexpensive and resistant to seismic activity. Straw Bales maybe one of the longest used and least expensive alternative building materials. To the left you will see construction of a house that uses straw bales as walling and insulation.
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Alternative Building Methods
Slipforming is a method of building with concrete, in which the concrete is poured into a continuously moving form. By doing so, the concrete will have no joints and thus be much stronger and stable. This form of building is most widely used in building tall structures, but can also be used for roadways and sidewalk-like purposes. It not only provides an extremely strong and stable structure, but also provides excellent insulation and is virtually fireproof.
Earthships are another alternative building method. However, with this building method the earth itself is incorporated into design and functionality. Earthships are intended to be "off-the-grid ready" homes, with minimal reliance on any grid. Earthships are constructed to use available natural resources, especially energy from the sun and insulation provided by the earth itself. Earthships are designed to use thermal mass construction and natural cross ventilation, assisted by thermal draught, to regulate indoor temperature. An example can be seen to the left. This example will show you a basic design and function of the earthship.
Net Zero Energy Homes are amongst the most efficient of building methods. These homes are designed and blueprinted with only one goal in mind; to have the homes energy cost equal or be less than the home's energy generation. Typically around half of any Net Zero home's energy usage comes from the grid, however that energy is later returned to the grid by the home's own energy generation. By using energy conservative appliances, materials and design features, these homes produce their own energy, conserve the energy they do produce and often return energy to the grid. A Net Zero Home should be the design goal of any building, as it would greatly reduce the amount of fossil fuels consumed for trivial day to day activities; such as lighting, entertainment and comfort.
Earthships are another alternative building method. However, with this building method the earth itself is incorporated into design and functionality. Earthships are intended to be "off-the-grid ready" homes, with minimal reliance on any grid. Earthships are constructed to use available natural resources, especially energy from the sun and insulation provided by the earth itself. Earthships are designed to use thermal mass construction and natural cross ventilation, assisted by thermal draught, to regulate indoor temperature. An example can be seen to the left. This example will show you a basic design and function of the earthship.
Net Zero Energy Homes are amongst the most efficient of building methods. These homes are designed and blueprinted with only one goal in mind; to have the homes energy cost equal or be less than the home's energy generation. Typically around half of any Net Zero home's energy usage comes from the grid, however that energy is later returned to the grid by the home's own energy generation. By using energy conservative appliances, materials and design features, these homes produce their own energy, conserve the energy they do produce and often return energy to the grid. A Net Zero Home should be the design goal of any building, as it would greatly reduce the amount of fossil fuels consumed for trivial day to day activities; such as lighting, entertainment and comfort.