Ecological bricks are a key element in green architecture. However, the term brings together different types of materials and their benefits can also be very different.
Despite their differences, they all have in common a number of advantages to environmental or sustainability level. In this post we will make a brief and simple introduction to the subject, actually much broader and more complex.
What are the ecological bricks?
Usually bricks associate with a contaminant material. That is, except for a great little detail: the exceptions.
Today, the use of green bricks is unusual, although historically used routinely for more sustainable construction materials.
Among others, straw, mud or wood, for instance. Currently, conventional bricks need a lot of energy to manufacture so that the environmental impact is important.
Of course, we must recognize that more and more green initiatives that attempt to reinvent or replace traditional bricks using sustainable materials and promoting sustainability with its use to help us save energy. Or, what it is the same, to offset the carbon footprint acting as insulation of the house.
So, we define the ecological ladrilos as those whose production may not be as great as that of the conventional environmental impact. Both the type of materials used and their manufacturing process and functionality may determine that are.
Logically, we find greener than others, depending on their level of sustainability in a bricks and other aspects. Moreover, the green bricks provide the same or greater strength than traditional bricks. Used within an architectural plan of the building biology may offer the same aesthetic qualities and advantages in terms of comfort and safety.
How many types are there?
The coal ash bricks invented in 1999 by Henry Liu is a great way to recycle the ash generated in coal power plants, while its high temperatures for manufacturing prey.
A similar version, still in prototype stage, is proposed by a black brick MIT team led by Michael Laracy and Thomas Poinot, proposing manufacture from waste produced by the paper industry in India.
Your goal is to get an alternative to traditional red clay brick that that country does not continue to scam their natural resources while they can use these wastes.
Also well they are known hemp bricks and straw or peanut shell. In both cases we get very resistant bricks with high insulating properties, which help us to save on the heating bill and air conditioning while we take care of the planet.
The irregular brick showing the image that opens the post is an example of conventional brick, it is made of clay, yet we provide environmental benefits thanks to its insulating capacity.
Basically, bricks are added geometric shapes of a triangle and a rectangle to curb the heat and keep the house cool. Likewise, acoustic insulation is achieved and the facade can stay as is, because their appearance is aesthetic.
Moreover, the compressed earth brick or sand are more expensive and fragile than conventional bricks or concrete blocks, but provide a superior insulation. Ie need to make a subsequent isolation will increase spending and carbon footprint.
In edgy key, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in collaboration with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, proposes a novel material as light as airgel, also known as frozen smoke. It is capable of supporting up to 160,000 times their own weight and can easily be produced with 3D printing.
There are also those bricks that have no known inventor, widely used by word of mouth, internet and this has much of the credit.
This applies, for example, eco bricks made with household waste, ideal for a wall or a small house.
To do this we will use plastic bottles which introduce sand or other non-organic waste, such as paper, cardboard or plastic bags.
The aim is to fill them with materials to provide resistance to the bottles. Once achieved, we group them into a mold that will overturn the cement to fill the gaps. Thus, when dry bricks get good size, which you can use as a block.
The advantages of green bricks
At this point, it is easy to understand that since the ecological bricks cover a wide casuistry, also have very distinct advantages.
Analyze each brick is the best way, therefore, to choose the one that best suits your preferences and needs.
In general, however, we can mention some common benefits to ecological bricks, although not always met, without implying that they are not.
Among them, the lowest environmental impact, insulating capacity (cold, heat, noise and humidity) and saving, both the purchase or production of artisan form as amortizing through energy savings they provide.
They also tend to be lighter, finally, thus reducing construction time and effort to be made by workers. Not forgetting, of course, the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity that promotes the production of many of them.