Recycled Building Materials Made From Trash

Frost King “No Itch” Insulation is made from 100% recycled denim. This insulation can be used for insulation, cushioning and noise dampening. It’s nonirritating, so there’s no need for gloves, goggles or masks when installing—and it can be easily torn and ripped to fit in between joists and around pipes and ducts. It is made … Read more

Five Green Homes in Taos, New Mexico

Ross and Kristin Ulibarri live in a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Valverde Commons, a senior co-housing community within walking distance of historic Taos Plaza in New Mexico. Its sculpted adobe-style exterior makes it look like a traditional Southwestern dwelling. The house has triple-glazed windows and air-tight insulation, so it rarely needs any heating beyond the … Read more

New Hempcrete Products

Italian construction company BIOmat Canapa has created a 100% natural and recyclable brick, crafted from a blend of lime and canapulo, with exceptional insulation properties while combating humidity.  Canapulo is a specialized hemp variety cultivated specifically for construction. Lime acts as a vital binding agent, ensuring cohesion and bolstering the overall strength of hemp bricks. … Read more

Three Homes that Use Thermal Mass in the Desert Southwest

Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb, store, and release heat. It can be used to moderate building temperatures by reducing fluctuations. Materials with relatively high thermal mass, such as stone, rammed earth, and brick, can absorb significant heat during the day and release it slowly when temperatures drop at night, reducing … Read more