Thanks to biosourced materials, new houses are increasingly ecological and virtuous. Structure, insulation, coatings…, the natural materials made from animal and plant biomass, easily replace so-called traditional materials. The houses are low carbon, ecological but also healthier on a daily basis.
Why integrate biosourced materials into your new home?
The regulation which currently governs new construction is called the environmental regulations 2020say RE2020. This regulation which governs the house building new construction currently ensures that new homes are not only energy efficient, but also low carbon : the materials used for construction must therefore have emitted little CO2 during their manufacturing phase until their recycling and their end of life. A concept that brings old techniques back to the forefront and favors the most ecological materials: biosourced materials.
To go further, read the article “ New RE2020 house in the South-West, what consequences for my project? »
What are biosourced materials?
The biobased materials come mainly from animal (sheep's wool), plant (wood, hemp, straw, grass, etc.) sources, or from recycling sectors (paper, textile). These natural materials therefore require much less energy for their production than materials such as concrete or plastics. The main advantage is that it is renewable materials and generally biodegradable. Materials of plant origin, such as wood, hemp, straw, etc., capture carbon during their growth and trap it in their fiber. This carbon is only released into the atmosphere when the material naturally decomposes or is burned. A house built solely with biosourced materials has therefore consumed more carbon than it produced in its manufacture. We then talk about carbon sink !
What is a geosourced material?
A geosourced material, for its part, is made from mineral resources. These materials do not release CO2 when destroyed. When their production does not require extensive processing or heated cooking, like raw earth, their manufacture emits little CO2... The techniques for manufacturing terracotta brick, a 100% mineral, inert and breathable original material have significantly reduced their CO2 emissions.
Where are biosourced materials found?
Structures, insulation, mortars, concrete, coatings, etc., biosourced construction materials can replace most construction materials.
Some examples of biosourced materials:
Wood
It is obviously one of the most used materials and one of the oldest and most durable. In structure as in insulation, or in finishing material (cladding, flooring, plywood, paneling), it is a virtuous material which remains the star of the house.
Cellulose wadding
Made from recycled paper, it is used as insulation in our homes.
Straw
Used for centuries for construction, straw is an abundant and inexpensive material. It provides effective insulation and can be used in walls and roofs.
Hemp
Hemp is a versatile material that can be made into insulation, hempcrete or fiberboard. It is naturally resistant to mold and pests, and requires little water and pesticides to grow.
The cork
Cork is often used as thermal and acoustic insulation. It is extracted from the bark of the cork oak tree without damaging the tree, making it a renewable resource. Additionally, it is hypoallergenic and fire resistant.
The raw earth
Geosourced, raw earth is an ancestral construction material which can be used to make walls, partitions, floors or for natural coatings.
What are biosourced insulation?
Apart from the wooden structure, it is in the insulation that we encounter the most biobased materials. Wood wool, sheep wool, cellulose wadding, hemp wool…, THE biosourced insulation are numerous and offer thermal performances equivalent to those of more traditional insulation such as glass wool or expanded polystyrene. Their performance is also proven in terms ofsoundproofing.
The advantages of biosourced insulation on summer comfort
Generally it is considered that biosourced insulation has better performance in protecting the house from heat in summer. An advantage to consider in our hot southwestern regions. They benefit from a strong phase shift, which allows the entry of heat into the house to be delayed by a few hours. Thus the temperature in the home remains stable during the hottest hours. Excess heat enters the home during the cooler hours and can then be easily evacuated by opening the windows at night.
Biosourced materials are healthy materials
As natural materials, biosourced products also contain much fewer harmful substances. They are thus less likely to release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as hydrocarbons, formaldehydes, etc., which are still too present in our homes. The air quality in our homes is improved, which increases comfort and quality of daily life. In addition, biosourced, geosourced and minimally processed materials have breathable capacities which make it possible to partially regulate the exchange of water vapor in the walls.
To go further, read the article: Building a healthy house in the South West »
What is biosourced concrete?
The biosourced concretes are made from a mineral binder (lime, cement, earth) and a plant aggregate generally obtained from the stems (or trunks) of plants. The advantages of low carbon concrete are very numerous. Firstly, they reduce the carbon footprint of concrete. They are also more insulating. Lighter than traditional concrete, they simplify implementation on certain grounds which would require deeper and therefore more expensive foundations with traditional construction. Finally, the biosourced concretes bring inertia to a house. This fundamental notion contributes to the summer comfort of a house. This is what makes the freshness that we feel in the old stone houses in the middle of summer.
Focus on wood concrete, a material of the future
Twice as light as traditional concrete, wood concrete is an innovative construction material that is gradually establishing itself in the landscape of individual homes. Composed of wood chips (approximately 85%) and cement (approximately 15%), This low environmental impact concrete easily replaces traditional concrete in many applications. They are used in load-bearing or non-load-bearing walls, in filling a wood frame For example. They also allow the creation of lightweight floors and screeds. Ideal for building low energy house, they offer good performance in terms ofsoundproofing and phonic.
The low-carbon wood frame house
Wood is a biosourced material that absorbs CO2 throughout its growth. In wood frame house, the supporting structure of the house is made entirely of wood. The spaces between the posts are made of insulation, and covered with cladding, and generally with plasterboard inside. Economical in terms of materials, the entire construction method is particularly respectful of the environment. At the end of its life, the wooden structure can have a second life (reuse) and later decompose naturally.
To go further, read our article: “ Fast, sustainable and ecological construction for the wooden house »
The integration of biosourced materials in the construction of new homes offers numerous advantages, both for the environment and for the occupants. By choosing durable materials and renewable, you help reduce our carbon footprint and create healthy and ecological living spaces for future generations.
