As demand grows for greener buildings, contractors are increasingly being asked to source materials that reduce carbon emissions, improve energy performance and meet client expectations for sustainability. Here are three fast-rising technologies that are beginning to show up on jobsites across the U.S.
Cross-Laminated Timber
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is an engineered wood product that takes dimensional lumber—typically softwood—and glues layers together at right angles to form load-bearing panels for floors, walls and roofs. The panels, often referred to as mass timber, typically contain three to seven layers and are strong enough for some applications that have previously been limited to steel and concrete, according to Wood Solutions, an Australian trade consortium.
CLT construction is gaining popularity in mid-rise multifamily housing, commercial offices, schools and institutional buildings. It’s the technology behind the new generation of mass timber buildings like Cleveland’s INTRO—a $150 million, nine-story mixed-use project that opened for occupancy in 2022.
At 25 stories and 284 feet tall, the ASCENT in Milwaukee became the world’s tallest mass timber structure when it opened in the same year, according to Fast Company magazine.
Prefabricated panels dramatically speed up framing and reduce the time needed to take a project from foundation to enclosed shell. They’re precut for doors and windows during manufacture, and get hoisted into place by crane.
The thick panels char on the outside during a fire, protecting the core and maintaining structural integrity far longer than unprotected steel.
CLT provides better natural insulation than steel or concrete, and can improve indoor air quality by eliminating the need for additional finishes, notes a report from the Congressional Research Service. Its biggest sustainability advantage is the carbon footprint: trees used for CLT absorb carbon as they grow, and manufacturing emits far less CO₂ than producing steel or concrete.
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While CLT panels typically cost 20-30% more than steel or concrete framing, total project costs tend to be about the same, due to:
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Hempcrete
Hempcrete is a bio-composite made by mixing the woody core of industrial hemp plants with a lime-based binder and water. The mixture hardens into a lightweight insulating material that functions as wall infill. It has a low compressive strength, so it can’t be used for foundations or other load-bearing components. But it’s appropriate for non-load-bearing walls, ceilings and insulating floor slabs.
Hempcrete is most often used in low-rise residential and small commercial buildings. It can be cast on site by packing it into temporary forms around a structural frame, or installed using precast blocks or panels. It’s been used in eco-conscious building projects in France and the United Kingdom for more than 30 years.
As an insulator, Hempcrete’s R-value varies depending on the precise mix (more binder improves R value) but is generally in the range of 2-4 per inch according to a variety of sources. That’s lower than traditional types of insulation (see related post: Sorting Out Insulation Types and their Properties) but far superior to that of concrete.
“Though the thermal conductivity of hempcrete is higher than most conventional insulation products, the material is generally installed as infill material to create monolithic walls, ensuring a thickness that provides similar R-values to conventional wall assemblies,” says a paper from Canadian researchers Yina Shang and Fitsum Tariku. They add that the material “can store heat energy within itself and release the heat when the surrounding temperature is lower … effective for reducing cooling loads in hot climates.”
It's naturally fire-resistant, mold-proof and pest-resistant, with excellent air quality benefits. On the jobsite, it’s lightweight and non-hazardous. As a bonus, it continues sequestering carbon while curing, rather than emitting it into the atmosphere.
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Advanced insulation materials
Aerogels
Aerogels are extremely lightweight materials made primarily from silica and consisting of more than 90% air. Their highly porous structure results in extremely low thermal conductivity, offering R-values of around 10 per inch, according to Shannon Global Energy Solutions—more than double that of fiberglass or mineral wool.
Manufacturers embed aerogel into flexible blankets or rigid boards to make it practical for construction.
Aerogel insulation is valuable where high performance is needed in limited space: interior retrofits for historic buildings, thermal breaks in steel framing, insulation for mechanical systems and niche commercial applications where fire code restrictions limit foam use, notes a report from the National Science Foundation. It’s mold-resistant, hydrophobic, non-combustible and durable.
Aerogel is easy to cut and install with basic tools. While the material isn’t known to be toxic or carcinogenic, silica dust is an irritant to skin, eyes and other soft tissue. Safety recommendations for installation include dust goggles and N95 or P100 breathing protection.
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Phase-Change Materials (PCMs)
Phase-change materials absorb and release heat by melting and solidifying at target temperatures, usually around 70-80 degrees (F). As indoor temperatures rise, PCMs melt and absorb heat, preventing quick temperature spikes. When temperatures drop, they solidify and release stored heat, helping to stabilize indoor comfort.
PCMs were introduced more than 15 years ago in drywall panels from National Gypsum, according to an article in Green Building Advisor, but the products didn’t provide enough energy savings to offset the up-front cost. Today, new formats allow PCMs to be installed as thin blankets, panels or mats behind drywall, above ceilings or in attics. They’re most effective in climates with significant daily temperature swings, working alongside standard insulation to reduce HVAC loads and energy use. PCMs are lightweight and can be installed using basic tools without any specialized training.
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