Alternative Building Materials – Road to Sustainability

The fundamental and most essential components in building construction are materials. Good design along with the properties of materials (chemical, physical and mechanical) are accountable for a building’s material strength. The concept of sustainability in building materials revolves around the development and use of ecofriendly materials that have the same or enhanced properties as compared to that of conventional building materials. However, in the recent past, the use of conventional building materials in building construction has resulted in environmental degradation. Sustainability can be achieved by using industrial waste materials (by-products) and/or recycling and reusing the materials in building construction. Cost (manufacturing and transportation) has been a predominant factor considered while comparing related materials for the same purpose. This chapter discusses the need for alternative sustainable building materials with regard to energy and environmental impact caused by traditional or conventional building materials. Also, this chapter discusses sustainable initiatives carried out by researchers to discover low technology construction techniques. Further, this chapter discusses how alternative building materials can lessen the impact of environmental degradation, resulting in a healthier, cost-effective, and sustainably safe living environment.