Best 15 Sustainable Building Material Companies in Arizona
Images courtesy of Rammed Earth Solar Homes, Inc., PureBuild, Rammed Earth Works, and Arizona Adobe Company.
With eco-friendliness being essential in the face of climate change and the biodiversity crisis, sustainable building materials are gaining traction in the United States and beyond.
Arizona is no exception — this state has a growing number of green building companies. However, as a concerned builder, you only want to contract the best sustainable building material companies in Arizona for guaranteed quality and longevity.
When it comes to green building, you’ll be thinking of materials like rammed earth, adobe, earthbags, and bamboo. Since these materials are still considered alternatives in most states, you only want to rely on an authentic company that guarantees quality work to meet building code requirements. Building structures that don’t meet building code standards will get you into trouble with the authorities.
In this article, I’ve rounded up the best 15 sustainable building material companies in Arizona. From rammed earth and adobe to straw bales and bamboo, you’ll know the best companies for your next build. Let’s get started!
Rammed Earth Construction Companies in Arizona
Rammed earth is a green building material made by mixing sand, gravel, silt, clay, and water and trampling them to make a homogenous mixture. The mixture is then rammed into place in formworks to create walls.
Rammed earth is a better alternative to concrete due to its low carbon footprint and high thermal mass.
While rammed earth has an average embodied carbon of 48 kg per cubic meter, concrete’s embodied carbon averages 635 kg per cubic meter. Therefore, rammed earth is a suitable alternative.
The best rammed earth construction companies in Arizona include:
1. Rammed Earth Solar Homes, Inc.
Founded by Quentin Branch, a master rammed earth builder, Rammed Earth Solar Homes, Inc. is one of the best sustainable building material companies in Arizona.
With over 40 years of experience in rammed earth building, Quentin boasts a wide range of projects, from retaining walls and foundations to luxurious homes and studios in Arizona.
Rammed Earth Solar Homes, Inc. is unique for its unprecedented approach that results in quality rammed earth structures guaranteed to stand the test of time.
Due to Branch’s exemplary work, his company was featured in Innumerable Magazine, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal newspapers.
Featuring on these renowned platforms is a testament to Quentin’s commitment to quality and sustainability.
Rammed Earth Solar Homes, Inc. incorporates a unique approach that entails consulting with contractors, designers, and engineers across the globe on construction specifications and designs. This way, they ensure all their structures meet the standards set by the International Building Code.
The company specializes in:
- Passive solar designing and building.
- Constructing rammed earth walls for residential and commercial structures.
- Rammed earth technology and passive solar design consultation for engineers, contractors, and homeowners.
What’s more?
The company offers workshops to those interested in learning the rammed earth building art. The workshop’s curriculum includes the following:
- The installation of electric outlet boxes in rammed earth walls.
- Creating rammed earth walls using modular forms.
- Making construction test cylinders.
- Mixing, tamping, placing, and stripping rammed earth walls.
- Designing roof attachments, bond beams, and headers.
2. PureBuild
PureBuild is an authentic builder of one-of-a-kind homes for eco-conscious people throughout Southern Arizona.
Since its inception in 1994, the company has been at the forefront of building affordable, energy-efficient, and sustainable homes.
PureBuild specializes in rammed earth, insulated concrete forms (ICF), adobe, and other sustainable construction materials that help reduce the built environment’s impact on the planet.
The company’s approach entails collaborating with homeowners from the start to the end to create an excellent structure in line with the client’s specifications.
PureBuild boasts extensive experience in custom sustainable home building and relationships with local contractors and suppliers. These are essential construction aspects because they ensure quality work.
What sets this company apart is that it designs its rammed earth walls with energy efficiency in mind.
Besides slowing the transfer of cold and heat from the outside, thick rammed earth walls have a higher thermal mass.
A high thermal mass allows homes to stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter, meaning you won’t rely much on air conditioners or heating systems for conducive indoor temperatures. This helps reduce energy costs.
3. Rammed Earth Works
Rammed Earth Works is a renowned company that manufactures and supplies rammed earth panels to clients across the globe.
Since its inception in 1976, Rammed Earth Works has remained one of the go-to producers of factory-made precast rammed earth panels. These panels can be customized for different textures, colors, and sizes.
The company’s standard panels are 3 inches (7.62 cm) thick, 5 inches (12.7 cm) high, and 12 inches (30.48 cm) long. Therefore, if your project’s panel size requirement doesn’t fall into this category, Rammed Earth Works will customize the panels based on your requirements.
Over the decades, the company has continuously refined its mix design, forming system, soil characterization, and delivery methods to ensure the most precise, efficient, and beautiful installations.
What sets Rammed Earth Works apart is its approach that incorporates value engineering during concept design and design development stages. This helps identify opportunities to lower costs and complexity without compromising the project’s intent and aesthetics.
Finally, the company provides samples before beginning the project to ensure all your expectations are met. You’re expected to review the samples and provide feedback before the construction begins.
Adobe Building Companies in Arizona
Adobe bricks are another eco-friendly material made by tamping sand, silt, straw, clay, and water to form a homogeneous mixture. The mixture is then formed into brick using modular formworks.
The difference between adobe and conventional bricks is that the former is sun-dried while the latter is fired. As such, adobe bricks have a lower embodied energy than their traditional counterparts.
Adobe building companies in Arizona include:
4. Arizona Adobe Company
Arizona Adobe Company is among the best sustainable building material companies in the state.
As an adobe brick manufacturer, the company boasts a strong knowledge in earthen building and a history of environmental stewardship through sustainable construction.
With two locations in Phoenix and the South of Tucson, the company is strategically positioned to serve Arizona’s construction industry efficiently.
Its mission is to manufacture and supply superior-quality adobe bricks that meet the highest sustainability, durability, and aesthetic standards at fair prices.
The Arizona Adobe Company collaborates with individuals and communities to develop, preserve, and restore earthen building techniques to conserve non-renewable resources and combat climate change.
The company’s best approach entails on-site adobe brick production. This fundamental approach helps reduce the carbon footprint of transporting bricks from the manufacturing plant to the construction site.
The company offers delivery services at $4 per mile if you opt for factory-made adobe bricks.
Furthermore, on-site adobe production guarantees precision because the bricks are made to fit the project’s needs.
The company’s products and services include:
- Site visit and evaluation
- Pressed adobe bricks
- Puddled adobe bricks
- Custom adobes
- Adobe mortar
- Material sourcing
- Clean-up
- Adobe and soil testing
- Equipment mobilization
5. The San Tan Adobe Company
Since its establishment in 1972 as Santa Fe Adobe, The San Tan Adobe Company has remained focused on producing the highest quality adobe products in Arizona. It boasts the longest-standing experience for large-scale adobe production in the state.
The San Tan Adobe Company has invested in modern equipment that aids in large-scale production. As a result, the company has a capacity of over 20,000 adobe bricks daily. These bricks are manufactured to meet the highest quality standards in line with Arizona’s building code requirements.
Its standard adobe bricks come in 12x4x16, 4x4x16, and 8x4x16 sizes. However, if your desired size isn’t available, the company can customize the bricks according to your project’s needs.
The best part is that the company collaborates with some of the state’s most renowned urban design professionals to help clients achieve their dream homes.
It works with Urban Design Associates and Linda Robinson Design Associates to ensure all the projects turn out beautiful, durable, and sustainable.
What sets The San Tan Adobe Company apart is that its materials come with earthen plasters that facilitate permeability. Remember, since adobe bricks are porous, they should be plastered with earthen plasters to ensure breathability.
The company’s products and services include:
6. Tucson Adobe
Established in 1986, Tucson Adobe is the original manufacturer of cement-stabilized adobe in Arizona.
Unlike other companies, Tucson Adobe shifted from asphalt-stabilized adobe because the material is considered to be low-strength with poor weather resistance and high installation costs.
Tucson Adobe invented cement-stabilized adobe in 1986 to address the flaws associated with asphalt-stabilized adobe. This was after thoroughly researching the best adobe soil that blends well with cement for stabilization.
With experience in all types of adobe, the company has set standards for the industry.
Its unique cement-stabilized adobe offers superior performance, enhanced strength, durability, and weather resistance than asphalt-stabilized adobe.
Besides abobe bricks, you can contract this company for your design needs. It has professional designers to help you get the best design for your project.
The company’s products include:
- Standard stabilized adobe bricks: 4x4x16, 8x4x16, 12x4x16, and 16x4x16. These bricks weigh 12, 24, 34, and 44 pounds (5.44, 10.89, 15.42, and 19.96 kg), respectively.
- Thin stabilized adobe bricks: 1.5x4x16 flats weighing 5 pounds (2.27 kg) and 1.5x4x16 corner weighing 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg).
You can also order customized adobes from Tucson Adobe.
7. Adobe King
Adobe King is one of the best sustainable building material companies in Arizona, specializing in adobe products.
As the best adobe repair expert in Tucson, the company has maintained its commitment to providing superior-quality adobe products for over 30 years.
Before commencing any project, the company incorporates condition checks and personalized estimates to ensure clients get the best services.
The best part is that Adobe King offers a five-year warranty on its exclusive adobe sealer.
The company’s products and services include:
- Adobe brick repair
- Roof coating and repairs
- Stucco repair
- Foundation and stem wall crack repairs
- Foundation stem wall resurfacing
- Custom whitewashes
8. Old Pueblo Adobe
Old Pueblo Adobe is a family-owned business in Tucson with over 25 years of experience supplying high-quality adobe.
The company has earned a reputation as the go-to supplier of top-quality adobe products in Southwest due to its expertise and passion.
Due to the company’s core values of authentic, sustainable, and truly timeless materials, it has set the bar high for adobe production in Arizona.
The best part is that the company’s adobe bricks are locally manufactured using materials from the Arizona desert. Therefore, it guarantees an authentic American Southwest appearance.
Since Old Pueblo Adobe’s materials meet the current IBC building codes, they provide an excellent base for green building projects.
9. Beyond Adobe
Beyond Adobe boasts itself as the provider of quality adobe blocks throughout Arizona.
This company is a licensed general contractor specializing in design and build projects in Sedona, Arizona. Therefore, it assists clients from conception to completion.
As a sustainable building material company, Beyond Adobe fosters self-sufficiency strategies and efficient use of resources.
With adobe production plants in Arizona, Deming, Camp Verde, and New Mexico, the company prides itself on maintaining and preserving indigenous construction methods.
By using local soil for on-site adobe production, Beyond Adobe contributes to the reduction of carbon footprints while maintaining an authentic American appearance.
Bamboo Building Companies in Arizona
Bamboo is a renewable material because it grows much faster than regular trees. Therefore, it’s a sustainable building material that helps reduce deforestation.
Bamboo building companies in Arizona include:
10. Bamboo Ranch
Bamboo Ranch is a specialty farm specializing in various desert-grown bamboo for building, fencing, and shade.
Since its establishment in 1986, the company has been growing and testing bamboo’s performance in Tucson, Arizona. It specializes in non-invasive bamboo species suited to withstand the harsh desert environment.
The company boasts a comprehensive inventory of strong, flexible bamboo poles ideal for construction projects.
The best part is that it offers discounts on bulk orders.
11. Kona Land and Water Escapes
Kona Land and Water Escapes is a premier bamboo supplier in Arizona. It specializes in Arizona Timber Bamboo, a non-invasive bamboo species.
The best part is that the company’s bamboo is acclimatized to Arizona’s climate. Therefore, it’s best suited for various outdoor construction projects.
With over 40 years of landscape design in Phoenix, Arizona, Kona Land and Water Escapes uses its locally-grown bamboo plants to provide its clients with the best outdoor landscaping services.
Earthbag Building Companies in Arizona
Earthbag is a sustainable building technique that entails filling sandbags with inorganic materials such as gravel or soil and using them to build walls.
The bags are stacked, tamped on each other, and reinforced with chicken wire, barbed wire, or metal posts for added stability.
Here are the best earthbag building companies in Arizona:
12. PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc.
PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc. is a renowned structural engineering service provider licensed in all 50 U.S. states. The company incorporates eco-friendly building materials like earthbags in its projects.
Founded in 1998, the company has remained dedicated to building green structures that meet local building code requirements.
Since it operates in all 50 states, PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc. collaborates with local agencies and contractors in each state to merge code enforcement. This ensures the creation of structures that meet building code requirements.
The company’s guarantee of the highest professionalism and timely services has earned it a 96% positive customer satisfaction rating.
Straw Bale Construction Companies in Arizona
Straw bales are an affordable and sustainable building material made of agricultural waste. They provide excellent heat insulation and can be used to create walls, floors, foundations, and roofs.
The most commonly used straw bales are rice, wheat, rye, and oats.
The best straw bale construction companies in Arizona include:
13. Straw Dogs Construction, Inc.
Based in Tucson, Straw Dogs Construction, Inc. specializes in residential remodeling and additions using sustainable and alternative materials like straw bales.
J. Mark Thomas, the company’s founder, established the firm in 1997 after building a straw bale home. He also built another straw bale home in Oracle in 1998 to cement his passion for straw bale construction.
As a licensed, bonded, and insured firm, the company is dedicated to providing customers in Arizona with quality construction services.
The company’s success is based on its core values of integrity, honesty, respect, and trust. Over the past 20 years, these values have been the foundation of its work.
Sheep’s Wool Insulation Companies in Arizona
Sheep’s wool insulation is environmentally friendly because it’s made from 100% pure wool. It’s also a renewable material because wool regrows naturally after being sheared.
The best sheep’s wool insulation companies in Arizona include:
14. Barrier Insulation and Energy, LLC
Barrier Insulation and Energy, LLC is a commercial insulation contractor based in Phoenix, Arizona. It specializes in insulation made from natural fibers like cotton and sheep’s wool.
With professional experts boasting years of experience in residential and commercial thermal insulation, the company guarantees quality services for its customers.
It installs insulation materials in commercial and residential buildings and industrial plants.
Barrier Insulation and Energy, LLC guarantees an energy consumption reduction of at least 25 percent.
It also offers a five-point energy audit for homes and offices to identify areas of energy loss.
Wood Plastic Composite Companies in Arizona
Wood plastic composite (WPC) is an eco-friendly material because it’s made from recycled wood and plastic.
The best wood plastic composite companies in Arizona include:
15. Heldt Lumber Company
Heldt Lumber Company is a building material supplier focusing on quality products at fair prices.
With a desire to supply only high-quality and hard-to-find materials, the company stocks a wide range of wood plastic composite decking.
What sets this company apart is that it supplies WPC decking that doesn’t warp, splinter, or rot. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about replacing your deck every few years.
The company also carries a variety of colors, grain patterns, and sizes so you can find the perfect fit for your outdoor space.
Final Thoughts On Sustainable Building Material Companies in Arizona
Now that you know the best sustainable building material companies in Arizona, choose one that meets your project’s needs.
When selecting a company, consider its expertise, cost, and certifications to guarantee quality services.
