Natural Resources

Using natural resources is also one of the keys to protecting the environment. However, there is to hit a balance to ensure there's no overusing. Modern technology allows building developers to pick a set of pure supplies as the essentials or the decorations. The former refers to using them to build foundations, while the latter makes use of them for aesthetic appeal.

Green building is the term that emerges to promote the use of more organic materials in construction. This is due to the fact that it doesn’t solely refer to using stone or wood alone. It prefers to utilise solar and wind energy as the sources for powering the entire structure. Another practice is recycling waste so that it won’t pollute the Earth further.

What is the meaning of natural resources in construction?

Natural resources are the purest forms of building materials that come from the Earth. They don’t involve any technological or human touches. They serve as the basis by which human beings set up their houses at first. Examples of these resources are stone, wood, clay, and sand.

Long before the presence of modern tools, these types of resources have enabled people to make bridges, tunnels, churches, huts, animal cages, and many more. The ancestors lived in tandem with material types. This was possible as forests were still abundant due to the low number of human beings. They took advantage of the things and then crafted them into walls, floors, or roofs.

As our society grows into the modern era, the use of natural resources has become rarer. Modern people prefer to use metals, like concrete and steel, as the structural basis. However, the idea of using more organic material resurfaces to respond to critical environmental issues. Many architects are starting to innovate by using recycled stuff to add comfort to indoor sites and protect the planet

Examples and uses of natural resources

Clay, mud, stones and wood are some of the earliest examples of natural resources used by early humans. However, the more advanced humans are, the more varied the structural materials. Later findings reveal that stone and brick became more common. The Egyptians proved themselves as skilled architects by using them to make pyramids.

Urban growth has spurred the use of science and technology. They serve as the tools for making synthetic materials, like polymer, plastic, and geotextile. Many developers use them due to their practicality, low pricing, and power. However, some of these resources, as in the list below, are not only good for the environment, but they are also renewable, making them sustainable for the future.

Wood

Wood is one of the natural resources that remains popular to date. It was easy to spot wooden houses that stood well on stony or soil grounds back in the day. However, such designs have become a rare sight in today's world. Wood remains present, but its use is no longer dominant due to the lack of supply. It mostly appears in framing, cladding, flooring, and interior finishes. Therefore, its presence makes the structure look natural.

Soil

Ancient houses often used soil as the flooring. The primordial people kept it as it was without any mixing with other natural stuff. Modern constructions make use of soil in various ways. For example, it serves as the source of bricks and cement. Later, they form the foundations of structures, from houses to toll roads.

Stone

Stone was one of the common natural resources that appeared in old houses. This material is renowned for its strength and durability. It retains its uses in modern constructions. Many pick stones to make strong foundations, walls, and paving. Basalt, limestone, travertine, and slate are the top stone types for construction.

Clay

Clay houses remain popular in places where one of the resources is widely available. Vietnam, Trinidad, Morocco, and Indonesia are among the countries where clay houses are present. This model helps to resist earthquakes and climate change. Today, clay is also the material used to make bricks and tiles. They offer high and long durability for any structure type.

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the natural building materials that is simple to build and is very eco-friendly. Usually, bamboo houses appear in villages or inside forests. It serves as a structural part of a construction. The current use of bamboo more frequently appears in cladding, walls, and roof frames. This is an artsy and organic option for interior decoration.

Recycled materials as an option for natural resources

As hinted above, the decreasing number of natural resources around the world makes it a bit hard to use them as major products. Therefore, developers and architects turn to recycled items to lower the negative impacts of construction on the Earth. One of them is recycled plastics, which can be turned into bricks, roof tiles, and wall supplies.

The other one is reclaimed wood, which offers a unique design appeal. The supply comes from various sources, like ships, old houses, and pallets. Besides an interior finish, reclaimed wood is good for flooring, cabinetry, and structural framing. Another similar thing is that recycled steel adds to the value of the metal. This item is an ideal option for making columns, blocks, and other structural parts.

The last is Ferrock, which replaces traditional cement. This supply comes from recycled steel dust and ground-up glass silica. After coming into contact with carbon dioxide, an iron carbonate is formed, which optimally absorbs carbon dioxide. Therefore, these natural resources it is good for the environment and are the top choice for making foundations and walls.