Eco-Friendly Materials in Interior Design
How to create a healthier environment?
In order to create a healthier environment for functioning, eco-friendly materials are increasingly being used in the interior design because its quality is important, both for people and for our planet. Quality of materials used in interior design is reflected in their environmental impact, as well as their durability.
Main features of eco friendly materials
Here are the main features of this materials: Renewable source, reuse of waste product, embedded energy, local availability, reduction in air; land and water pollution, durability and life span, aids energy efficiency in buildings, reuse/ recycle, biodegradable.
Below you can read about the characteristics of eco-friendly materials, as well as the way it is used in the interior design.
Eco friendly materials
Bamboo
Bamboo is quite versatile and can adapt to any weather conditions. Changes in temperature, humidity, soil and climates does not affect its growth. The rate of growth of bamboo is so high that it does not require any usage of fertilisers or pesticides. That plant itself is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-pest and hence it does not require any other form of pest control.
Bamboo wood is way much stronger and hence durable and any other type of wood available in the market as flooring material. It is affordable and easy to install, maintain and clean.
Crushed bamboo can be turned into panels that can replace plywood or wood composites in the manufacturing of earthquake and water-resistant wall paneling or in building furniture with an appealing tropical look. Bamboo is also used in interior decoration as well as for an indoor garden.
As a textile, bamboo is created from the pulp of bamboo grass. These natural fibers are then mechanically combed out and spun into yarn. As a result, you have a fabric with a very soft feel similar to linen.
Teak
Teak is a hardwood from Southeast Asia. That is a sustainable timber commonly used for both indoor and outdoor furniture along with patios and decking. Teak is prized over pine and oak woods due to its natural oils and rubber found inside the tight grains of the wood. Because of these natural oils, teak hardwood has naturally weather-resistant properties that prevent the wood from dry rotting and potentially damaging parasites. Teak is known for its durability and elegance but it will come with an expensive price tag. In comparison to pine and oak, teak will save you from annual waterproofing and upkeep, lasting for many years.
Cork
Cork is an impermeable buoyant material, the phellem layer of bark tissue that is harvested for commercial use primarily from Quercus suber (the cork oak), which is endemic to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. Cork is composed of suberin, a hydrophobic substance. Cork floors are made to feel like hardwood. They’re an interesting sustainable option because extracting cork doesn’t harm the trees. Plus, cork can easily be reused. In fact, some floors made of this material are made entirely of recycled wine stoppers.
Reclaimed wood
Reclaimed wood creates beautiful rustic decor and country home atmosphere. Old wood on a floor, ceiling or walls, and vintage furniture or pieces created of salvaged wood look striking and stylish, adding a natural feel to interior design and creating charming country home decor with unique accents.
Recycled plastic
Indoor and outdoor rugs can be made from recycled plastic – giving new life to non-biodegradable material. A popular form of recycled plastic is high-density polyethylene. HDPE is heavy and dense, so extruded or injection molded furniture is sturdy and durable. Colors are solid throughout the material, so they are highly fade-resistant.
Felt
Wool felt is non-woven and made by condensing and pressing wool fibers together while they are wet. The result is a soft fabric with a fine and dense texture. Synthetic felt can be made from recycled PET plastic bottles and turned into furniture or wall paneling with excellent acoustic performance.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a long-lasting, durable and 100% recyclable material. In addition to the customisation and fusing of components, stainless surfaces can be highly polished. So we can get either an elegantly reflective finish or brush the steel for a soft satin finish. There are many ways to incorporate stainless steel sections and shapes into you interior design project. It can be used for handrails, elevator interior rails, interior glass partition framing, tables and seating, exposed structural framing elements.
Alimunium
Aluminium is among one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable building materials and the most recycled industrial metal in the world. Furniture items made from aluminium include tables, chairs, lamps, picture frames and decorative panels
Clay brick
Clay brick is all-natural and simply made from water and clay from the earth. It is completely recyclable. Clay brick is energy efficient making it a heating and cooling system’s best friend. It absorbs and releases thermal energy. In the summer, it soaks up the heat keeping a house cooler. In the winter, it traps the internal heat longer to provide warmth. Its used in interior design as wall accent, in contrast to polished walls.
Travertine, Granite, Marble and other natural stones
These are famous choices for countertops, backsplashes, showers and flooring. This is beautiful natural stone that comes with unique patterns and colours. Aside from that, these are also durable and easy to clean and take care of.
Bio-Glass
It’s an exceptional green alternative for anything from decor items to bathroom sinks, countertops and flooring. The material is made entirely of post-consumer recycled glass, which is then heated and compressed to create solid-surfacing slabs.
Hemp fabric
Hemp fabric is made from the fibres in the herbaceous plant of the species cannabis sativa. It’s a high-yield crop that produces significantly more fibre per acre than either cotton or flax.
Soybean fabric
Soybean fabric is a renewable resource as it is made from a by-product of soy foods such as tofu and soybean oil. It has a soft texture comparable to silk when it drapes and can be used for many textiles in the home. It’s also a cruelty-free alternative to silk and cashmere production, which both involve the use of animals.
You can look here for some new sustainable materials.
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