Materials4 min read
Sustainable Building Materials
Lower-impact materials for building and renovating, and how to judge suppliers’ claims.
The materials you build with account for much of a project’s carbon footprint. Lower-impact choices reduce it and can improve indoor air quality.
Types of sustainable material
- Natural insulation: sheep’s wool, wood fibre, hemp, cork and cellulose
- Timber from certified sources (FSC or PEFC), and reclaimed timber
- Lime and clay plasters, and low-VOC paints
- Lower-carbon blocks and hempcrete
- Green roofs and recycled metal or timber cladding
Older buildings need breathable materials
Many older homes were built with solid walls and lime mortar that let moisture escape. Using cement renders or impermeable insulation on them can trap damp. Lime and other breathable materials are often the safer choice.
Judging a supplier
- Recognised certification, such as FSC or PEFC for timber
- Environmental product declarations or other life-cycle data
- Technical support for retrofit and new-build standards
- Clear, specific environmental claims rather than vague ones
Please noteThis guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and schemes change, so confirm the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified professional before making a decision.
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