Which Sustainable Building Materials Should You Use?

In Quebec—and across Canada for that matter—sustainable building materials are on the rise in the construction industry, on account of their benefits, including limited environmental impact and longer lifespan. Here’s an overview of the leading industry trends and initiatives. 

What Is a Sustainable Building Material?

Definition

In regards to building materials, when it comes to sustainability, the latter refers to a material’s capacity to preserve its quality and functionality over a long period of time while also minimising its environmental impact. It also includes factors, such as:

• Carbon footprint

• Use of resources

• Recyclability

• Toxicity

How to Measure the Sustainability of Materials

Materials can be considered sustainable under one condition, but not another. For example, a material can be considered durable in a given climate yet not in another. Furthermore, a material’s sustainability can be impacted by factors like the building’s construction method, maintenance, and end-of-life. 

Another issue arises in terms of the difficulty associated with measuring sustainability. There isn’t a standard metric for sustainability, which makes it even harder to compare materials against one another. Moreover, sustainability is often assessed based on environmental criteria, yet other aspects, such as economic and social performance are often overlooked. 

In Quebec, a significant change is underway as more and more people, homeowners, and real estate professionals are choosing sustainable materials and eco-friendly furniture when renovating.

What Are Examples of Sustainable Materials Used in the Construction Industry?

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued-laminated timber (glulam), is increasingly used for constructing residential and commercial buildings. It’s both renewable and capable of sequestering carbon, it makes for a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel.

The National Building Code of Canada was amended in 2020 to allow for timber structures spanning 12 stories to be built. Said measure fosters the use of eco-friendly materials. 

According to Kevin McKinley, President and CEO of the Canadian Wood Council (CWC), the newly instated regulation states that said number of stories allows for significant building potential. He maintains that significant breakthroughs were made in the timber-building industry, especially for medium-sized dwellings: “We are moving towards the Code’s final approval, which will at least provide a technical and scientific basis to implement something for Ontario.” (Quote translated by RenoQuotes into English)

Green Concrete

Standard concrete has a significant carbon footprint given the CO2 emissions generated from the production of cement. To reduce said impact, initiatives are currently being explored to develop green concrete, combining alternative binders, such as fly ash or blast-furnace slag. 

Ottawa wants to establish a plan to ensure that the Cement Association of Canada achieves its “Concrete Zero” (net-zero) actions by 2050, in the hopes of helping Canada become a “(...) global leader in green concrete,” stated the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

According to the federal government, in 2017, concrete was responsible for 10.8 megatons of greenhouse gas emissions, meaning 1.5% of the country’s emissions. 

Ottawa is committed to its Greening Government Strategy to purchase low-carbon construction materials, such as cement and concrete, which will serve to make such materials readily available, strengthening the supply chain.

Graymont, a Quebec-based company, designed a low-carbon cement, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10-15%.

Reclaimed and Recovered Materials

With a circular economy in mind, more and more construction projects use reclaimed or recovered materials, such as barn wood and crushed brick and concrete. 

Quebec-based company Bautechnic specialises in the deconstruction of buildings and the recovery of construction materials to then reuse them. Such an approach minimises waste and limits the need for new resource extraction.

What Are Bio-Based Materials?

Bio-based construction materials—vegan or animal-derived—are an ecological and sustainable alternative for the construction industry. Such materials are made from renewable raw materials and often issued from recycling. These materials fulfill numerous functions from structure, insulation, and siding, to aesthetics. 

“In North America, cold weather is always on our mind,” said René Couture, Senior Strategic Advisor for green marketing company E=MK2. “Given climate change, there are ways of acquiring materials that will fare better with heat. During the summer, air conditioning is a must indoors because, otherwise it’s too warm. Bio-based materials are carbon sensors, but also heat detectors that can manage cold weather effectively, too. We’re taking pointers from what’s being done in Europe. In some sense, they’re pioneers because they’re likely more affected by global warming than we are. We’re talking about breathable buildings.” (Quote translated by RenoQuotes into English)

Examples of Bio-Based Materials

Wood

Wood is a heavily used material in Quebec’s construction industry. It’s a versatile forestry-issued material, therefore it’s renewable. It can be used as a complementary material like wood fibre panels or fibreboard, made from loose-fill wood chips, for its acoustic and thermal properties.

Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newspaper. It’s also used in loose-fill form. Blown-in insulation is used, for example, to fill non-lived-in areas. Cellulose insulation is also retailed in semi-rigid panel form, offering insulating properties. This material also has great soundproofing properties and can absorb up to 15% of its weight in water. 

Sheep’s Wool 

In construction, sheep’s wool is used in loose-fill or panel form. It’s used in a similar fashion as that of traditional insulation materials. On top of its enviable soundproofing and thermal performance, sheep’s wool can absorb up to 33% of its weight in water, is unlikely to catch fire, and is a renewable resource.

Cork

Cork is used in panel or roll form and is intended for insulation purposes and soundproofing. This material is also retailed in loose-fill and can be mixed with concrete to provide a lightweight aspect to a concrete slab and provide insulation. Cork is biodegradable, rot-proof, and fire-resistant. 

Hemp

Hemp is used across numerous industries. In construction, it’s used in mortar, surface coatings, concrete, or wool, and sold as semi-rigid panels or loose-fill. Hemp-based products have thermal and soundproofing properties, issued from local harvests, requiring little fertilizer and little water.  

What Are the Benefits of Using Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Building Materials?

Sustainable materials used in the construction industry have several benefits. Here are just a few:

• Help the environment: Sustainable materials like engineered wood, green concrete, and recycled/reclaimed materials have a lower carbon and ecological footprint than standard building materials. They contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of natural resources. 

• Long-term savings: While initial costs are higher, sustainable materials are often more cost-effective over a building’s entire life cycle courtesy of their longer service life and limited maintenance needs.

• Value in residual material: Using reclaimed or recovered materials like barn wood or crushed concrete means extracting value from construction residual materials and limiting waste.

• Indoor air quality: Some sustainable materials like wood and natural insulation improve indoor air quality, preventing hazardous volatile organic compounds. 

Why Are Sustainable Building Materials Important?

Sustainable building materials play a crucial role in mitigating environmental degradation by reducing carbon emissions, minimising waste generation, and preserving ecosystems. Additionally, they contribute to creating healthier living and working environments for occupants while fostering long-term economic viability by lowering operating costs and increasing the resilience of buildings to climate change impacts.

What Are the 7 Principles of Sustainable Construction?

The 7 principles of sustainable construction emerged in response to recent initiatives like the 'Building to Net Zero' scheme and the 2015 Paris Agreement. These principles offer a framework for the built environment, guiding the industry towards greener practices and reducing its overall carbon footprint. They are:

1. Sustainable Design

2. Durability

3. Energy Efficiency

4. Waste Reduction

5. Indoor Air Quality

6. Water Conservation

7. Sustainable Building Materials

Sustainable Design

Green design, also called sustainable design, involves creating products and buildings with the goal of reducing negative environmental effects. This approach balances environmental, social, and economic considerations to address current needs while ensuring the planet's future. 

Aligning with net-zero goals, green design offers significant long-term benefits for businesses, such as cost savings, lower energy usage, and reduced labour requirements when implemented effectively.

Durability

Designing buildings for durability is more important than ever, especially as the focus shifts towards retrofitting existing structures. This approach prioritises sturdy materials and construction methods, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and replacements. By choosing durable materials, we can not only extend a building's lifespan but also minimise its environmental impact and lower long-term maintenance costs. This promotes sustainability and resource efficiency in construction practices.

Energy Efficiency

This principle encompasses design strategies to reduce energy consumption from planning to maintenance in construction projects. It also includes minimising energy use during transportation of personnel and materials, as well as considering their lifecycle before arriving at the site.

Waste Reduction

Waste reduction entails implementing strategies to minimise waste throughout the construction process, emphasising recycling and the use of recycled materials while discouraging new builds whenever feasible. However, the prevalent industry mindset of demolition and reconstruction often neglects the importance of a circular construction process, leading to widespread wastefulness and the use of ill-suited materials.

Indoor Air Quality

Sustainable design should prioritise enhancing indoor air quality for healthier and more comfortable indoor environments. Although climate control systems are popular, natural ventilation has been neglected. Incorporating features like solar chimneys and high louvres can improve airflow and air quality, albeit effectiveness varies by location.

Water Conservation

The construction industry is notorious for its high energy and water consumption. To become more sustainable, many are adopting practices to minimise water usage during construction. Strategies include using low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation, regular maintenance, and monitoring water usage for improvement.

Sustainable Building Materials

Sustainable building materials aim to reduce environmental impact by efficiently selecting, producing, and integrating renewable or recycled materials with minimal waste. While not universally applicable, suitable alternatives to non-sustainable materials are available. Adopting this principle necessitates a shift in perspective within the industry, emphasising the need to end bad habits and prioritise environmentally conscious choices during specification.

Government Initiatives in Favour of Sustainable Materials

The Quebec and Canadian governments are actively encouraging the use of sustainable materials through various incentives and regulatory measures, a step in the right direction. The Quebec Construction Code includes requirements targeting energy efficiency and promoting reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the Government Sustainable Development Strategy 2021-2024 strives for eco-friendly and recycled material use. 

On a federal level, the National Building Code and Sustainability for new and existing structures encourage using materials with low environmental impacts.  

While hurdles remain, such as higher price points and additional, mandatory training, the use of sustainable materials in the construction industry is progressing in Quebec, and Canada as a whole, fueled by public and private initiatives focused on reducing the industry’s environmental footprint.

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• LEED: An Economical and Ecological Choice

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