When COVID-19 sent the world into shutdown, people started spending more time inside their homes. For some, this time sparked an interest in home renovation, which increased a curiosity about the materials that make up their homes. An often overlooked part of construction is the installation of fiberglass insulation. Originally brought about as an alternative to asbestos, fiberglass insulation is made from a combination of glass and plastic, and presents significant health risks to installers. It’s long been used to keep buildings warm in winter, cool in summer, and to maximize a structure’s thermal efficiency. As the insulation industry grows, consumers are voicing concerns about the materials used in their homes, and the inherent safety risks to the people who install them.
“Hot, cold, warm, dry; wool does it all.” -Andrew Legge, of Havelock Wool, in an interview with NPR’s Marketplace
Wool is an unexpected construction material that works well for insulation. Using ancient techniques of carding and processing raw wool, Andrew Legge created his company Havelock Wool to introduce his 100% wool-based insulation to the construction world. Sheeps wool is the epitome of a renewable resource and regenerates quickly. Excellent at soundproofing and unparalleled in its ability to retain heat and cold, wool degrades at a slower rate than traditional fiberglass insulation.
Another interesting choice of materials is hemp. Matthew Mead formed his company Hempitecture with a vision of working with hemp in new ways. Mead sources his raw materials locally to create what is called “hempcrete.” This formulation of hemp fibers can be formed into brick shapes and used in construction. Hempcrete has numerous advantages; not only is it strong, it‘s also lightweight, which lowers energy usage in transportation and installation. It’s entirely non-toxic, fire resistant, and carbon negative, meaning it removes more CO2 from the atmosphere than it emits. These unconventional elements have the potential to revolutionize the industry, but a lack of experience and expertise in the field has slowed its adoption.
Builders and developers today are taking advice about sustainable insulation from farmers of the past. Hay bales are a great example of a low-tech solution when used as insulation filler. Another choice of the ancestors: cork. The wood from these relatively common trees, native to the western US, have historically been used to “cork” wine bottles, but are also currently used in shoe insoles, safety helmet liners, dartboards, and for the cores of golf balls and baseballs. Because of their excellent soundproofing qualities, cork is optimal when creating sound-proof spaces, such as recording studios. Because it’s a natural shock absorber and fire-resistant, cork also makes it a great choice for flooring material and insulation.
Renewable, sustainable building materials are the future of responsible construction. Scientists are experimenting with growing mycelium, a kind of mushroom, for use in construction. Mycelium is a living organism which, when dried into bricks, can be used as a strong, fire-proof alternative to polystyrene (which takes decades to decay naturally). While these choices emerge in the construction marketplace, the issue of cost can become prohibitive for some builders. Eco-conscious, sustainable materials can cost double the price of their conventional counterparts, which can be prohibitive for many builders. If using more sustainably-sourced materials is important to a homeowner, architects and planners are asking their clients to prioritize their wishes, and to consider the environmental impact of their choices. With a more informed client comes a more eco-conscious build, which is a step in the right direction for the future of our planet.