Top Sustainable Building Materials for 2024

July 19, 2024

As the construction industry moves towards sustainability, the choice of building materials plays a crucial role. Here are the top sustainable building materials for 2024 that are making waves for their eco-friendliness and efficiency.

1. Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)

Cross-laminated timber, or CLT, is a category of mass timber that is made by laying multiple layers—typically an odd number—of boards perpendicular to one another and then bonding them together using structural adhesive. The alternating fibers make CLT an extremely strong material with a high compression strength, despite being much lighter than conventional structural materials like concrete or steel.

Advantages: CLT is known for its strength, stability, and sustainability. It's made from layers of wood glued together, providing a low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel.

The Sara Kulturhus Center in Sweden is considered to be carbon negative thanks to its extensive use of CLT and glued-laminated timber. Photo by Patrick Degerman

2. Recycled Steel

According to the World Steel Association, steel is the most recycled material worldwide, with 680 million tons recycled in 2021.

The use and material efficiency rate of recycled steel reached 97.34% in 2021. This is due partly to the many benefits of recycled steel in construction.

Advantages: Using recycled steel reduces the need for new steel production, which is energy-intensive. It's durable and can be reused multiple times without losing its properties.

Recycled steel provides strength and sustainability in modern construction.

3. Bamboo

Bamboo has a long tradition of being used as a structural material where it grows natively, and is still used as scaffolding and for housing in areas of Asia, Africa and South America. Only a few dozen species are suitable for construction, with Moso, Asper and Guadua among the most common.

Advantages: Bamboo grows quickly and is highly renewable. It's used for flooring, walls, and structural elements, providing a strong and flexible material.

Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable material ideal for sustainable construction.

These materials not only reduce environmental impact but also offer durability and efficiency. By incorporating them into your projects, you can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Ready to build sustainably? Contact Veles Construction Ltd. for expert advice on incorporating eco-friendly materials into your next project.