Building Renewable

Dedicated to Renewable, Sustainable Building Materials and Technologies.

Read about how to build a sustainable home using a wise range of technologies and approaches.

Builder in an orange hi-viz tabbard holding a set of plans in a wooded area.

Building Renewable’s Mission

Our mission is to share our knowledge of sustainable building materials and techniques to allow more people to build homes that work in harmony with the planet.

We have articles on traditional building techniques that have very low carbon footprints, clever ways to obtain recycled materials that will save you money as well as reduce the impact on the environment, and ideas for using materials that you might not have considered.

Read Our Sustainable Building Knowledge base Articles

Our guides and articles will bring your knowledge up to date and inspire your next project.

Adobe Construction

Adobe construction uses sun-dried mud bricks and is popular in hot, arid regions. Although the basic technique is fairly rudimentary, the results can be modern and quite refined.

An adobe building with a curved wall in front. It's end wall is made of stone, which complements the adobe beautifully. Roundwood beams protrude from the front face of the wall, and desert plants adorn the garden. — Adobe is a traditional form of building that looks great with a plaster finish.

Two photographs of houses being built. The one on the left is using adobe construction and shows a worker laying adobe bricks on top of a high wall. The photo on the right shows a traditional stick-framed house under construction. In the center of the image is a "VS" icon and across the bottom of the image are the words, "Cost of Adobe Construction vs. Conventional Construction."

Cost of Adobe Construction

A photograph of two adobe buildings side-by-side in a street under a blue sky with brilliant sunshine. One is ochre-colored and the other is yellow-brown. Across the top of the iimage are the words "The Advantages and Disadvantages of Building with Adobe." A cartoon checklist of pros and cons is in the bottom right corner.

Adobe Construction Advantages and Disadvantages

A photograph of an adobe house with orange plastered walls and roundwood beams protruding from the walls. It has small windows and wooden doors, with drainpipes on the walls to remove water from the roof via scuppers. Across the bottom are the words "How to Build an Adobe House: 7-Step Guide For Success." In the top right corner is a cartoon book with "How To" written on its cover.

How to Build an Adobe House

Bamboo Architecture

Our bamboo construction articles showcase the amazing structures that this versatile material has been used to create.

A series of platforms, walkways, and handrails using bamboo as the main structural sustainable building product. — Bamboo is a beautiful material to build with and brings character to any structure.

A through mortise and tenon joint made by cutting a hole in a bamboo pole and inserting a smaller diameter pole into the hole. The joint is then secured with a bamboo pin.

Bamboo Building Joints

A well-designed and engineered bamboo roof. The ridge is a thick section of bamboo culm lashed with black cord to other main members also made of bamboo. There are thinner cross-pieces arranged perpendicular to the main ridge member at regular intervals. Above this is a woven layer of bamboo strips or "splits".

Bamboo Roofs

Bamboo scaffolding used on a high-rise building with many windows.

Bamboo vs Steel

Sheep’s Wool Insulation

Sheep’s wool insulation is highly efficient, fire resistant, and durable, as well as being very eco-friendly.

A white sheep's fleece with cartoon green tick and red cross speech bubbles overlain to indicate the concept of the pros and cons of sheep's wool insulation. — Sheep’s wool insulation has many benefits, including high R-values and fire resistance.

A photograph of sheep's wool with cartoon thumbs up and thumbs down images overlay. Across the top of the image are the words "The Pros and Cons of Sheep's Wool Insulation."

Pros and Cons of Sheep’s Wool Insulation

A photograph of a woman holding a piece of sheep's wool insulation on the left side of the image and a photograph of a worker installing batts of pink fiberglass insulation between wall studs on the right. Across the top of the image are the words, "What Is the R-Value of Sheep's Wool Insulation (vs. Others)" In the lower center of the image are the letters "VS.

R-Value of Sheep’s Wool Insulation

An image shown blown-in and batt insulation being installed. The batts are placed between the wall studs and are held there by friction. The blown-in insulation comprises small particles that are blown into the space between the wall studs, starting from the top. The particles are held in place by a mesh that is stapled into position across the wall studs. The background to the image is a closeup of a sheeps fleece and across the top of the image are the words "6 Great Companies That Make Sheep's Wool Insulation."

Companies That Make Sheep’s Wool Insulation

6 Great Companies That Make Sheep’s Wool Insulation

ByJim Pritchard February 15, 2023March 19, 2025

Sheeps’s wool has excellent thermal properties and is growing in popularity as a building material, but are there many companies that make sheep’s wool insulation? We answer this question and more.

Two photographs side-by-side of Trex Decking installations. The left hand image shows a square elevated decking area with steps leading up to the square seating area that has a dining table and chairs with a parasol above. There are black railings around the decking area and along the stairs. The image on the right shows a decked area that is covered with a wooden roof that has large beams. The deck appears to run along the side of a house and has wicker chairs and a coffee table with a glass top. There are palm trees growing in the garden just beyond the decking. There is an information icon in the center of the image showing an open book with the letter "I" popping out of it. Along the bottom are the words "Trex Decking - Everything You Need to Know (Pros and Cons)."

Trex Decking – Everything You Need to Know (Pros and Cons)

ByJim Pritchard April 1, 2023May 1, 2024

Trex decking is becoming a popular alternative to standard wood decking, but why is this? This article examines the pros and cons of trex decking to understand why everyone’s talking about this innovative and sustainable building material.

A DIY reclaimed wood wall with planks of various shades ranging from light brown, gray through to black and the occasional red. Downlights are in the ceiling, a wooden floor, and a black sofa against the wall. There is also an open door in the middle of the wall. Across the bottom are the words "DIY Reclaimed Wood Wall - Install Your Own Accent Wall Today." In the top right corner is a cartoon toolbox with the letters "DIY" on the side and a spanner and hammer poking out.

Reclaimed Wood | Design | Wood

DIY Reclaimed Wood Wall – Install Your Own Accent Wall Today

ByJim Pritchard May 28, 2023December 15, 2024

Installing a DIY reclaimed wood wall is easier than you might think, especially if you opt for the peel-and-stick kits that are available. This article talks you through the whole process, from the tools required and materials needed, through to the finishing touches.

A photograph of a white composite wood fence made from pickets of varying lengths to create a curved shape between each set of posts. The posts have pyramid-shaped finials. There is a grass lawn in the foreground and trees and the roof of a house in the background. In the bottom right of the image is a cartoon woman looking at the fence in a thoughtful manner. across the top of the image are the words, "Can I Use Composite Wood for a Fence? Pros and Cons."

Engineered Wood | Recycled Material | Recycled Plastic | Recycled Wood | Wood

Can I Use Composite Wood for a Fence? Pros and Cons

ByJim Pritchard May 6, 2023December 15, 2024

Is it a good idea to use composite wood for a fence? What are the pros and cons? This article explains the reasons why you might consider composite wood for a fence.

A collage of screenshots of the websites of the best engineered flooring brands. Across the bottom of the image are the words, "Best 20 Engineered Wood Flooring Brands You Can Buy Today." In the upper middle of the image is a golden crest with the words "The Best."

Engineered Wood | Flooring

Best 20 Engineered Wood Flooring Brands You Can Buy Today

ByJim Pritchard April 18, 2024January 7, 2025

If you’re wondering which engineered wood flooring brands you should put on your shortlist, this article is just what you’ve been looking for. We list the top 20 brands and their offerings.

Wool | Insulation

Havelock Insulation: A Review of Their Wool Insulation

ByJim Pritchard February 14, 2023March 13, 2025

Havelock Wool is the company behind the Havelock Insulation brand, but what is wool insulation and why should you use it? We investigate this and other questions.

Three reclaimed wood shelves mounted on a stone wall in a kitchen with wine glasses and bottles arranged on them. Across the top are the words, "Reclaimed Wood Shelves - Perfect DIY Job for Your Kitchen?"

Reclaimed Wood | Wood

Reclaimed Wood Shelves – Perfect DIY Job for Your Kitchen?

ByJim Pritchard April 28, 2023July 16, 2024

Ever wondered whether reclaimed wood can be used to make shelving? This article explains the different designs of reclaimed wood shelves you can make and provides instructions to guide you through the process.

Wool | Insulation

Fire Risks and Sheep’s Wool Insulation (Critical Points)

ByJim Pritchard February 17, 2023September 19, 2024

Insulation is an essential part of any building, helping to maintain comfortable temperatures within the home. Questions are often asked about fire risks and sheep’s wool insulation. We answer them in this article.

A photograph of a reclaimed wood wall with dark brown planks that have plenty of character, including deep grain pattern, scratches, and a mottled patina. Across the top are the words, "Is Reclaimed Wood Safe? 6 Basic Things You Need To Know." In the bottom left is a green shield icon with a green tick. In the bottom right is a cartoon man holding a reclaimed wood plank with blue question marks above his head.

Reclaimed Wood | Healthy Buildings | Salvage | Wood

Is Reclaimed Wood Safe? 6 Basic Things You Need To Know

ByJim Pritchard May 19, 2023May 18, 2025

A common question is, “Is reclaimed wood safe to use in a home?” This article explains the potential hazards of using reclaimed wood and how to avoid unnecessary risks when procuring reclaimed wood.

A picture of a corn pellet stove in a room with purple walls and a wooden floor. on the right of the picture is a cartoon graphic of a checklist of pros and cons with a background of corn and a title at the top that reads " The 10 Pros and Cons of Corn Stoves."

Heating

The 10 Pros and Cons of Corn Stoves (and Where To Buy)

ByJim Pritchard January 10, 2023July 7, 2024

Corn stoves have been around for years as an alternative to more traditional ways to heat your home. But how much do they cost and are they better for the environment than woo-burning stoves and other options? We tell all in this article.

A woman is smelling the air next to a wall made from reclaimed wood. Wavy lines are overlain across the photo to indicate the smell emanating from the wood. Across the bottom of the image are the words, "Does Reclaimed Wood Smell? What You Need To Know."

Reclaimed Wood | Healthy Buildings | Wood

Does Reclaimed Wood Smell? What You Need To Know

ByJim Pritchard May 9, 2023May 18, 2025

Are you interested in using reclaimed wood in your next project but want to ensure you avoid any unpleasant reclaimed wood smell? This article will guide you through the best ways to prevent or eliminate such pesky odors.

Flooring | Wool

The Pros and Cons of Eco-Friendly Carpeting (Why Consider)

ByJim Pritchard January 12, 2023October 13, 2024

Eco-friendly carpeting makes use of natural materials and avoids harmful chemicals. But is it any good? We look at the benefits and disadvantages of going green with your floor coverings.

Building Renewable

Dedicated to Renewable, Sustainable Building Materials and Technologies.