Interested in overhauling your home’s exterior, but worried about the impact on the planet? Luckily, many materials help make sustainable home design possible. From centuries-old materials like brick and terracotta to more modern alternatives like recycled steel or glass, discover the top sustainable materials you can incorporate into your home exterior transformation.
At brick&batten, our seasoned team is here to help bring your exterior vision to life in an eco-friendly way. We’ll work with you to customize your exterior design, from choosing the materials to the color palette, and give you a photorealistic rendering that makes your dream a reality. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
What is sustainable home design?
Sustainable home design is the practice of using eco-friendly materials and processes when building or renovating your home. While the materials you choose have a major impact on sustainability, other factors like the amount of energy and natural resources used, the carbon footprint of shipping, and the amount of waste produced all factor into whether or not home design is sustainable.
Discover our favorite sustainable home design materials that will help you transform your home exterior without a major negative impact on the planet.
Wood
Wood is one of the most sustainable home design choices for one main reason: it’s a renewable resource. This material has been used for centuries in home construction thanks to its durability and versatility.
Wood is also biodegradable, non-toxic, and helps make your home more energy-efficient by offering an insulated finish. To opt for the most sustainable approach, however, choosing responsibly sourced, recycled, or reclaimed wood is the best approach to keep your project as sustainable as possible.
While wood can be used for basic construction and elements of your exterior like siding, you can also incorporate it in many other ways. Porch railings, shutters, garage doors, trellises, and many other decorative details can be made from wood to help improve your home’s sustainable footprint.
Glass
Glass is beautiful, durable, and practical, making it a popular choice for many home design projects. Made from natural materials, glass is used in sustainable home design in many ways. The most obvious is for windows, but you can also use glass for railings, front doors, and other design details.
Glass can help reduce energy consumption in homes by increasing energy efficiency. Coated or double-paned windows increase energy efficiency even further by keeping heat in during cold months and cool air in during the summer months, reducing the need for climate control systems like air conditioning.
Windows also allows more natural light into homes, reducing the need for artificial lighting and, therefore, extra electricity usage. While glass sometimes requires a lot of energy and natural resources to produce, there are also recycled alternatives. These products are more eco-friendly than their newly produced counterparts, making it possible for homeowners to conserve resources even further when renovating their home exterior.
Steel
Steel is one of the most sustainable home design materials available. This durable, long-lasting product can endure for centuries, making it a smart investment for any home exterior project. Steel milling uses very little water and energy, and once made, it can be recycled again and again in different ways. This not only produces very little waste but also helps lower the carbon footprint of the home construction industry overall.
Steel can be used in sustainable home design in nearly endless ways. Windows, metal siding, roofing, and even kitchen countertops can be constructed from this eco-friendly material, making the options nearly endless for homeowners looking for a way to help protect the planet.
Brick
There’s a reason that brick has been used for centuries in exterior home design. This ultra-durable material lasts for decades (or even centuries) when properly cared for. This makes it a smart and sustainable investment for homeowners looking to lower their carbon footprint. Made from clay, brick is also made with natural, renewable resources that can be easily recycled, ensuring it doesn’t pollute the environment.
Bricks are not only built to last, but they also help make homes more energy efficient. It helps a home retain heat or cool air by reflecting the sun’s energy and resulting in lower energy consumption (and cheaper utility bills).
While newly made brick is always an option, reclaimed or salvaged brick is ideal for sustainable home design. Whether you’re using brick as siding for your home exterior or incorporating it in other ways — like building a retaining wall, using it for a front walkway, or edging around your garden beds — it is a beautiful, green option.
Stucco
Stucco is not only a beautiful and low-maintenance siding option but it is sustainable, too. Crafted from sand, water, lime, and cement, stucco is non-toxic and made with all naturally occurring materials. Unlike other eco-conscious materials like brick or steel, stucco can also typically be sourced locally. This helps to cut down on emissions from shipping.
While stucco production is sustainable in and of itself, it’s also a durable and low-maintenance finish that doesn’t require frequent upkeep or replacements. This longevity increases its eco-conscious accolades. When it eventually does need to be replaced, stucco can also be recycled to help prevent it from ending up in landfills.
Terracotta
Terracotta is a centuries-old material beloved for its rust hue, southwestern feel, and durability. This clay is typically found in tile form after being mixed with water and molded into a half-domed shape. Because it is all-natural, this material is non-toxic, free of chemicals and additives, and renewable, making it a smart choice for those prioritizing sustainable home design.
While terracotta is striking, it’s also energy efficient. This tile has a high solar reflective index, reflecting light to keep homes better climate-controlled. Some modern terracotta tiles are also glazed with a special coating to help increase these reflective properties. It’s even naturally fireproof, helping give you added peace of mind that your home is protected.
Native plants
Bring sustainable home design elements to your landscaping, too. Native plants are the ideal option for your garden beds and front yard if you want an eco-friendly option. Native plants are naturally found in the local ecosystem, and they typically require less water and can help eliminate pollution. They’re also often lower-maintenance than non-native plants, saving you the hassle of spending unnecessary hours in the garden.
In Massachusetts, for example, native plants include black-eyed Susans, honeysuckles, and violet. In California, however, native plants include the California poppy, sage, and yarrow. The differences in climate, altitude, and distance from a water source all impact an area’s native plants. Consult a local expert to determine which plants are best for your area.
Prioritizing sustainable home design for your exterior
Using any of these materials will help you prioritize the planet while working on your home exterior transformation. From upgrading your siding to adding stylish design details, wood, brick, stucco, and more will help ensure you protect the planet while also bringing your vision to life.
