When building homes, fossil raw materials are still mainly used. This is harmful to the environment and climate, while the aim is to halve CO2 emissions in construction by 2030 and even reduce them to zero by 2050.

Sustainable use of materials in construction is therefore becoming increasingly important. The use of biobased materials in homes is not only better for the environment and climate, but also for living comfort. In this article I will tell you more about that.

Embodied energy

When choosing building materials, attention is currently paid to their insulation value, i.e. the energy savings achieved during the period the building is being used. That is of course important, but a lot of energy is also involved in the production of the material. This often (partly) cancels out the energy savings.

An important concept here is 'embodied energy'. That is the total energy required for the extraction, processing, production, transport and processing of materials. Some of that energy or raw material is renewable (in the case of sustainable sources such as wood), and some of it is not (in the case of fossil raw materials).

For example, materials that are (machine) produced, such as concrete, steel, glass and bricks, have a greater contribution to CO2 emissions than natural products. It will then take years before the emissions released during production are compensated by the energy savings resulting from subsequent use. Only after that period does the material yield more than it cost.

Three types of building materials

In addition to the energy load of building materials, you can also look at the source of the material. So you can roughly distinguish three types of raw materials as a basis for building materials: renewable materials, surface minerals and petrochemical minerals.

Renewable materials or biobased materials

The first group of materials consists of renewable or cultivable materials. These are the most sustainable building materials that, if managed sensibly, will not run out and will remain available in the long term. In addition to being inexhaustible, they also produce no harmful waste. Examples include straw, wool, bamboo, reed, cotton or hemp.

Another term to refer to these materials is 'bio-based materials': raw materials that have grown naturally and can also be composted by nature.

Surface minerals

The second group of building materials consists of surface minerals. In many cases there are more than enough available: clay or lime are examples of this. Other minerals are not, for example because they are rare or become so through mass production (sand) or because a harmful industrial process precedes them, such as certain types of gypsum.

This category also includes materials of natural or biological origin that have subsequently been produced by biorefinery (chemistry). This material is not compostable in nature, but is renewable. A good example is biofoam, which resembles Styrofoam but is made from plant material instead of petroleum. These biorenewables are a good alternative in places where natural materials rot or mold more quickly.

Petrochemical minerals

Finally, there are petrochemical or fossil fuel materials. Their production pollutes the environment, it involves hazardous substances, it produces (harmful) waste and they will eventually run out. Plastics made from petroleum are a good example of this. You therefore prefer to avoid this group of materials when building your home.

The benefits of biobased materials

Natural materials have a few important advantages over non-natural alternatives. First of all, it is better for the environment and climate: it prevents unnecessary CO2 emissions and depletion of natural resources. The materials are widely applicable, such as for thermal or acoustic insulation (wool), as construction material (wood and bamboo), as roofing (straw) and as a finish (natural plant-based paint).

But natural materials also have important advantages for living comfort. First of all, as mentioned, they provide pleasant acoustics, good humidity and good insulation. You can compare it with a wool sweater: it breathes, insulates, wicks away moisture and retains heat. They also provide a health benefit through healthier air that is free of harmful substances. All this creates a pleasant atmosphere in your home.

The cost of biobased materials

An apparent disadvantage is the higher price of the material: it can be up to ten percent higher. On the other hand, materials such as straw are relatively cheap. It is not enough to just look at the price. In many cases it is possible to live smaller or build more efficiently (with prefab solutions), which partly compensates for the price difference.

When used correctly, biobased materials yield lower heating costs. The quality of natural materials is also high and they last a long time. In short, you should see it as a long-term investment. Finally, the materials provide a better and healthier living environment, and that is also worth something!

Appearance does matter

Biobased materials are not only healthier and better for insulation, they also look beautiful and create a warm and cozy atmosphere. So if you really want to go green, in addition to natural building materials for your home, you can also opt for a natural interior with products such as natural paint, jute, rope, leather, bamboo and wool.

Choose natural? Naturally

Biobased materials are good for the environment and climate, attractive for your wallet, good for your health and good for your living comfort! So choose natural? Naturally!

Would you like advice or help with the right choice of (natural) building materials? Please do not hesitate to contact me.