Best 15 Sustainable Building Material Companies in Tennessee
Images courtesy of Rammed Earth Works, Cruzin Cob Global, The Ridge, and Hemp Building Institute.
If you’re an eco-conscious builder interested in sustainable building materials in Tennessee, you know how challenging it is to find reliable companies.
Unlike conventional construction, green building materials are still considered alternatives in most states. Therefore, a list of the best sustainable building material companies in Tennessee will shorten your search.
An authentic, green building material company should be reliable, cost-effective, and trustworthy. Moreover, it must have the technical expertise to create structurally-sound buildings in line with Tennessee’s building code requirements.
Considering all these factors can be challenging, especially if you’re new to sustainable construction.
Fortunately for you, I’ve compiled a list of the best 15 sustainable building material companies in Tennessee. From rammed earth and cob to earthbags and straw bales, these companies have the necessary expertise to get your construction projects off the ground. Stay tuned!
Rammed Earth Construction Companies in Tennessee
Rammed earth is an eco-friendly material made from sand, gravel, silts, clay, and water. These aggregates are mixed into a homogeneous mixture and rammed into place in formworks to create walls.
The sustainability of rammed earth is based on the fact that the material has a high thermal mass and low carbon footprint.
A high thermal mass helps maintain comfortable indoor night temperatures using heat absorbed during the day without relying on a central heating system. This helps conserve energy, reducing the bills.
The best rammed earth construction companies in Tennessee include:
1. Rammed Earth Works
Since its inception in 1976, Rammed Earth Works has established itself as the manufacturer and supplier of rammed earth panels worldwide.
The company’s global reputation in research, technology refinement, information dissemination, and credible rammed earth panels is unbeatable.
Over the years, Rammed Earth Works has gained extensive expertise in manufacturing top-quality products.
Through its experience, this company has refined its mix design, forming system, mixing, soil characterization, compaction techniques, and delivery methods to be precise and efficient. The refinement facilitates the creation and installation of beautiful, durable, and low-maintenance rammed earth structures.
Rammed Earth Works is unique because it incorporates value engineering throughout the concept design and development stages. It collaborates with the client during these phases to find opportunities to reduce project complexity and cost.
Moreover, it formulates the project’s mix design during the submittal phase for two reasons:
- To assess the best formulations for finished rammed earth panels per the client’s expectations and aesthetic preferences.
- To confirm that the aggregate combination will create products that meet or exceed structural strength and durability requirements.
As an American-based company, Rammed Earth Works ships its products to all states, including Tennessee.
The company’s rammed earth panels are 3 inches (7.62 cm) thick, 5 inches (12.7 cm) high, and 12 inches (30.48 cm) long.
You can order precast rammed earth panels weighing up to 2,600 pounds (1,180 kg).
Alternatively, you can opt for customized rammed earth panels made to your project’s specifications.
Cob Building Companies in Tennessee
Cob is made by mixing sand, straw, clay, and water. The mixture is then trampled by foot or stomped on a platform.
Cob is a renewable building material made on-site. Therefore, it helps reduce carbon emissions due to transportation.
The best cob building companies in Tennessee include:
2. Cruzin Cob Global
Cruzin Cob Global is a community of builders with trained cob experts from different countries. This community offers workshops and project management in support of earthen construction.
Cruzin Cob Global aims to reduce the over-reliance of the construction industry on concrete, a material with a high carbon footprint and other negative environmental impacts.
The company comprises some of the best cob experts from across the world.
With a focus on cob projects mainly in the U.S., Cruzin Cob Global is well-versed in Tennessee’s construction requirements and aims to help residents build with this material. Its cob workshops are done in accordance with the state’s building code stipulations.
The best part is that the organization guides students through everything they need to know about building with cob. From budgeting and design to construction and completion, it ensures students have relevant expertise to succeed in the industry.
The company awards the following certifications to students upon completion:
- Basic cob certificate: Awarded to those who complete a 21-day workshop. The workshop entails building a complete cob wall (foundation is not included) and applying one coat of plaster. The workshop incorporates roofing, connecting the doors, windows, shelves, electrical, plumbing, plastering, flooring, and sculpturing. After completing the workshop, you can become a paid cob intern at the company.
- Intermediate cob certificate: Awarded to those who complete a 28-day workshop. The workshop incorporates everything in the basic certification and the foundation. It may also include applying a second plaster layer. You can become a paid intern upon approval.
- Advanced cob certificate: Awarded to those who complete a 35-day workshop. The workshop covers everything in the above two categories plus roof building. Graduands are eligible for paid internships upon approval.
Hempcrete Construction Companies in Tennessee
Hempcrete is a biocomposite building material made from lime, hemp hurds, pozzolans, and sand. It’s suitable for building walls and insulation.
Hempcrete’s sustainability is based on the fact that the material has a low environmental impact, reduces waste generation, and decreases energy use and natural resource consumption.
The best hempcrete construction companies in Tennessee include:
3. The Ridge
The Ridge is a non-profit organization that specializes in sustainable material workshops.
The organization consists of like-minded people who share information on how to build with eco-friendly materials like hempcrete.
As a registered, non-profit organization incorporated in Tennessee, The Ridge has become an established leader in the hempcrete industry.
It aims to promote eco-friendly building technologies in Tennessee and beyond.
The organization strives to provide the best information on building safe structures with environmental conservation in mind.
Hempcrete workshops at The Ridge entail the following:
- Testing hempcrete mixes: Teaching participants how to evaluate hempcrete mixes in terms of stability, strength, and durability for various applications.
- Mixing hempcrete: Teaching how to mix lime binder, pozzolans, sand, and hemp hurds in appropriate proportions to create the best mix design for any project.
- Site preparation: Teaching participants how to prepare the site for hempcrete installation.
- Installation: Illustrating the right procedure to install hempcrete on different surfaces when building.
- Finishing: Explaining how to apply a lime-based application to add further protection and aesthetic value to the finished structure.
4. Hemp Building Institute
Located in Nashville, Hemp Building Institute is among the best sustainable building material companies in Tennessee.
The institute aims to research natural and sustainable construction techniques and educate the public on their benefits. It also helps develop affordable housing concepts with green materials to solve housing challenges.
To create affordable and environmentally-friendly structures, the institute conducts the following programs:
Research
Researching innovative, healthy, and safe natural building materials that enhance sustainable construction.
By researching better building practices and materials like hempcrete, the institute aims to help reduce the carbon footprint attributed to construction projects.
Moreover, it aims to reduce waste generation by suggesting the most efficient building practices and materials for any project.
Under its research catalog, The Hemp Building Institute also performs testing and data tracking. This section entails testing the performance of innovative building materials. It also incorporates collecting data on how these materials hold up.
Education
Educating the public on the benefits of building with natural materials.
It also offers workshops on how to use sustainable materials to build affordable homes.
The institute aims to improve the standard of living in Tennessee by identifying the roadblocks that prevent the completion of affordable housing and how to facilitate the processes better.
Sustainable Affordable Housing
Finally, the institute participates in building sustainable, affordable houses.
Since building these structures needs passion and dedicated professionals, The Hemp Building Institute partners with local organizations for efficiency.
The institute collaborates with local, nonprofit sustainable builders to create affordable housing and improve economic stability.
This implies that they consider the local environment, culture, and community within their projects. Consequently, they create meaningful engagement with the public, fostering self-reliance in communities.
Earthbag Building Companies in Tennessee
Earthbag is a building technique that entails constructing walls using polypropylene and burlap bags filled with soil or gravel. It’s a sustainable building technique that produces little waste.
Moreover, since the materials are collected on-site, earthbag building eliminates carbon emissions due to transportation.
The best earthbag building companies in Tennessee include:
5. PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Since its establishment in 1998, PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc. has maintained its position as one of the best sustainable building material companies in Tennessee.
It provides high-quality engineering services to residential, commercial, and industrial projects throughout the U.S.
The company specializes in sustainable building materials like earthbags.
Although PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc. is headquartered in Oregon, it’s licensed in all 50 states of the U.S.
Boasting itself as a leader in green home design, the company provides top-notch earthbag building services for clients in the U.S.
What makes this company unique is its belief in creating long-term relationships with clients and other stakeholders. It treats clients with the utmost respect while working on their projects to meet the required specifications.
With a 96% positive customer satisfaction rating, you can trust PSE Consulting Engineers, Inc. to provide the best earthbag building services for your projects.
Straw Bales Construction Companies in Tennessee
Straw bale building is a sustainable technique that utilizes oat, rice, wheat, and barley straw bales to build structures.
The walls of the buildings are made using tightly packed straw bales. These straw bales are then covered with plaster to protect them against weather elements and guarantee durability.
The best straw bales construction companies in Tennessee include:
6. The Straw Barn
Since its inception in 1989, The Straw Barn has maintained its position as a premier supplier of quality straw bales in Tennessee.
Located within the Rockvale community, The Straw Barn company is strategically positioned to serve Murfreesboro and Franklin localities.
This company is unique because it supplies fresh straw from the farm. Its straw is also of high quality and consistency to guarantee value for money.
Moreover, The Straw Barn team comprises knowledgeable and experienced staff that provides professional customer service to every buyer.
The Straw Barn firm prides itself on timely deliveries based on a client’s requirements. Its trucks and professional drivers work around the clock to ensure your straw bales arrive on time.
The best part is that the company supplies long straw bales measuring approximately 2 feet (61 cm). Such straw bales are ideal for construction because they’re more compact and easier to shape.
7. Manuel Zeitlin Architects
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Manuel Zeitlin Architects provides excellent architectural services for complex projects.
Since its inception in 1996, the firm has been steadfast in its commitment to providing unique and sustainable solutions for buildings.
Among its services is straw bale design and renovations.
Manuel Zeitlin Architects fosters a collaborative environment with its clients and other stakeholders to ensure the project is designed according to their specifications.
Its innovative and regenerative approaches to architecture make it stand out.
Precast Concrete Construction Companies in Tennessee
Precast concrete is a green building material manufactured in reusable forms and cured in a controlled environment. It’s then transported to the construction site as an individual piece or multiple pieces for assembly.
The best precast concrete construction companies in Tennessee include:
8. Jarrett Concrete
Located in South Ashland City, Jarrett Concrete is among the best sustainable building material companies in Tennessee.
It specializes in innovative precast concrete products designed to perform better in different environments.
Since its inception in 1995, the company has remained steadfast in manufacturing and supplying exceptional products.
As a National Precast Concrete Authority (NPCA) certified plant, Jarrett Concrete guarantees high-quality products in line with Tennessee’s building codes.
Its products include:
- Meter vaults
- Sewer manholes
- Precast concrete grease traps
- Septic tanks
9. GATE Precast
Founded in 1960, GATE Precast is a premier manufacturer and supplier of architectural precast concrete components.
With a production facility in Ashland City, Tennessee, GATE Precast is a one-stop shop for precast concrete solutions. From manufacturing and delivery to installation, this company offers everything you need for your precast project.
This company is unique because it partners with renowned architects to bring dreams to reality.
It also uses cutting-edge technology and creative concrete textures and finishes that make its products unique.
The company guarantees unmatched quality since it is certified by the Precast Concrete Institute (PCI).
10. Mid South Prestress, LLC
Based in Pleasant View, Tennessee, Mid South Prestress, LLC is a leader in precast concrete solutions.
As a single-source precast and prestressed concrete manufacturer and erector, it specializes in products ranging from residential to industrial structures.
Mid South Prestress, LLC is the region’s largest manufacturer and supplier of hollow core.
Since this company is certified by PCI and NPCA, you can rest assured it supplies some of the best-quality precast concrete components.
Its main products include:
- Hollow core planks
- Beams
- Columns
- Wall panels
11. Barger Precast
Located in Kingston, Barger Precast is a premier stone-strong manufacturer in Tennessee.
The company manufactures its stone-strong products to be long-lasting for creating permanent retaining walls.
Whether you want to build a small retaining wall at home or a large commercial wall, Barger Precast has you covered.
You can use this company’s stone-strong products as:
- Box culverts
- Bridge abutments
- Bank stabilizers
- Water and shoreline walls
- Catch basins
- Headwalls
- Septic tanks
- Pump tanks
12. Construction Products, LLC
Located in Jackson, Tennessee, Construction Products, LLC specializes in high-quality prestressed and precast concrete solutions.
Founded in 1961, the company has remained steadfast in its quest to provide superior concrete solutions.
Its prestressed and precast products range from large structural components to marina and railroad utilities.
Construction Products, LLC prides itself on specialized production of top-notch solutions that are shipped anywhere.
Its products include:
- Concrete floating boat docks
- Road and highway construction products
- Precast and prestressed concrete building products
- Railroad products
Earthship Construction Companies in Tennessee
Earthship is an architectural approach for building passive solar structures. This innovative approach uses natural and recycled materials like earth-packed tires.
Earthships are designed to maintain an indoor temperature closer to 70°F (21.11°C) to reduce the need for air conditioning and heating.
The best earthship construction companies in Tennessee include:
13. Earthship Biotecture
Earthship Biotecture boasts extensive knowledge in building earthships globally.
The company has an online store where people can access and buy its earthship designs and building plans.
As the best autonomous and sustainable design-build company, Earthship Biotecture specializes in the following:
- Building autonomous earthship homes.
- Teaching people the technique of building autonomous structures.
- Encouraging people to learn about sustainable building.
- Organizing humanitarian and sustainable development projects globally.
Earthship Biotecture boasts the best eco-building school in the world. It’s from this school that the company shares knowledge for building the best earthship structures.
It also offers building consultations at $400 per hour.
Engineered Wood Companies in Tennessee
Engineered wood is a green building material made fromprocessed wood, often thin layers of wood or wood chips bound together with adhesives (e.g., plywood). Its advantage is that it requires less wood and energy to produce, making it cost-effective.
The best engineered wood companies in Tennessee include:
14. American OEM
American OEM specializes in quality, beautiful, and responsibly-sourced wooden floors.
With manufacturing facilities in Only, Tennessee, the company manufactures its engineered hardwood floors with multiple layers to last a lifetime.
By incorporating hands-on attention to detail, the company ensures each manufactured board reflects a legacy of meticulous craftsmanship and performance.
American OEM’s inventory encompasses a full range of colors, visuals, and textures. These features are designed to improve the floor’s natural beauty.
What sets this company apart is its commitment to sustainability. It sources its materials responsibly while managing its environmental impact.
15. Nashville Lumber
With over 100 years of experience, Nashville Lumber is among the best sustainable building material companies in Tennessee. It specializes in various engineered wood products for residential and commercial projects.
Nashville Lumber ensures clients get the best quality products by operating on the principles of quality, service, and experience.
Its engineered wood inventory includes:
- Laminated veneer lumber (LVL)
- Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL)
- I-joists
- Rim boards
Final Thoughts On Sustainable Building Material Companies in Tennessee
There are many excellent sustainable building material companies in Tennessee with quality products and services.
Whether you’re looking for rammed earth, precast concrete, earthship, straw bales, or hempcrete, there’s a company whose service suits your needs.
However, before choosing any company, review its profile to ensure it offers the sustainable construction service you need.
