Eco-friendly homes have always existed and likely always will exist, but they get overshadowed in the modern world by impressive new architecture methods and projects. Still, simple natural materials can make homes that are charming, warm/cool, affordable, and not harmful to the environment. Believe it or not, a home warranty can still be secured on these homes, providing these nature-focused homes are still built to modern standards. Fortunately, with the techniques that have been developed in the eco-house community in the real world and online, you’ll have no problem finding ways to do just that on your new house.
Foundations – Every home needs a foundation, but modern concrete foundations are not good for the environment and are not cheap either. Stone is an alternative, but unless you are able to easily get free stone onsite and can perform some of the labor necessary to put it together, you’ll find that it’ll probably cost you too much to be truly be workable, despite its being insulatory and eco-friendly. The best alternative for many will be to use prefabricated concrete foundation pieces, already fitted with insulation. These can be placed in just a few hours, and can be 100% recycled if you ever remove or tear down your home at some point in the future.
Ceiling and Walls – Here there are so many options available to you, you should really spend some time exploring them before making a final decision. Large materials like sheet metal of various kinds can be used to build walls. These materials are easily shipped and quick to put up. They can be well insulated and fitted with all the modern utility systems. Other materials like rubber, and even unprocessed materials like soil and stone, can also be used. Soil has been used for generations to make a material called cob, which can create strong, insulative walls that will stand the test of time, all while using materials that are available onsite.
Energy – Solar energy is a must for eco-houses built off the grid, and even for on-grid models hoping to be more independent of utility companies. Solar energy is the most affordable energy form in the world at this point, and prices are only going lower. Products like solar paint and solar windows are already developed and have only to be deployed into consumer products. You can make use of passive solar by creating strategically placed windows to capture the sun, to add light and/or warmth to your house. Water systems can be integrated by digging your own well, using natural water sources in the area, collecting rainwater, or by hooking up to the grid for city water.
Eco-friendly housing options are practically endless. Whether you’re reclaiming and recycling normal construction materials from old structures, or using natural and unprocessed materials to truly build your home from scratch, there are endless options available today which will give you the results you want, without breaking your budget, and without overly taxing the natural world – just as things should be.