The idea of "being green" has evolved into a mainstream concept, and green buildings are gaining traction as consumers seek ways to lessen their impact on the environment and businessowners respond to pressure from investors, non-profit organizations, regulators, and the public to improve their environment profiles.
However, a structure is only fully green if it considers the environmental impacts of all materials and energy flows throughout its entire life cycle, from design to disposal. Identifying the right building materials is a key part of this equation, as sustainable (or green) materials have minimal environmental impact, are made from renewable resources, and release minimal pollutants or toxins. These types of materials are often made from recycled material, are locally grown, or are formulated using natural and non-toxic ingredients.
Originally, "sustainable building materials" referred to a limited number of materials, such as sustainably harvested woods and recycled glass. In recent years, however, the industry has expanded to include a wide variety of options, particularly as chemists and engineers have brought science into the development of complex new products. From bamboo flooring to non-toxic natural insulations and sealants, products exist in every material category and are widespread enough to be available in most countries. Concrete made from recycled materials, such as fly ash or reused concrete, is expected to gain the most market share, as these blends can also enhance the performance of the concrete.
Today, sustainable building materials are as prevalent as organic produce - a niche market that is quickly becoming mainstream. They are a core part of the LEED and BREEAM green building certification programs, which award points for using sustainable materials throughout construction. Many major corporations make their use of sustainable materials at media events, touting their green buildings in press releases and corporate brochures to win approval and accolades from an environmentally focused public.
Growing demand from mainstream consumers has driven prices down and supply up. Today, broad sustainable material product lines are carried by mainstream big-box retailers such as Home Depot, and more architects and contractors are becoming familiar with where to find these products and how to incorporate them into their green construction projects.
The challenge for buyers and investors is to identify which products are truly sustainable and which are mostly hype. Major construction material industries - including timber, concrete, and steel - have invested millions in promoting the greenness of their products because there is value in having green building material status. Similarly, independent developers of high-end green consumer materials - such as paints, counter tops, and cabinets - market themselves as the green alternative, despite the fact that the data doesn't always support the claims.