Are There Vegan Building Products?

Veganism is not just about what you eat, it’s about the way you live your day to day life and this involves almost everything you come into contact with. The products you use within your home are just as important if you follow a vegan lifestyle. Everything from the type of flooring to what the structure of the walls are made from. 

Looking to learn more about vegan building products? Here, we take a look at some common vegan building options and their advantages of use.

Vegan-Friendly Building Materials 

Vegan building designs and building materials are materials and processes that don’t harm any living creature or cause problems with their wellbeing. This is usually connected to not causing any harm to the natural environment. Some materials are also considered vegan depending on the way they are sourced. For example, wood can be considered vegan when it is sourced responsibly and without harming the environment and the wildlife within it.

Most of the materials here are ones which we are all familiar with and are commonly used to build houses and their interiors. However, there are products which can be considered alternatives to conventional building materials such as hemp materials. 

Hemp Building Products 

Hemp is a product that actually has a long history and is used quite frequently in building materials. Natural building materials like hemp don’t need much processing and are naturally good for the environment. There are two parts of the plant that can be used, these include: hurds and fibers. 

The hurds are mainly used for building products and can be used to create: 

• Roofing tiles 
• Insulation options 
• Bricks 
• Building blocks 

Hemp products are lightweight 

Hemp is known for being an extremely lightweight product. This makes building products made out of hemp extremely good for roof spaces, particularly, lofts and roofs. This is because a roof structure needs to be relatively light so the main structure of the building can hold it.

They don’t require much maintenance

From production to the final implementation, hemp products don’t require a massive amount of maintenance. From the initial growing phase, hemp doesn’t need a lot of water to flourish and can do so in almost any climate, it also thrives without the need for pesticides. It also requires little processing in order to be used in building products. 

Hemp is recyclable 

Hemp is 100% biodegradable and non-toxic to the environment so the process of using hemp is completely circular. This also reduces the need to keep using raw materials from the earth and can protect wildlife and ecosystems.

Limestone for outside and inside use  

Limestone is a type of carbonate rock that can be used in construction and building due to the strength and durability of the material. The great news is that limestone, in this form, is vegan. Some uses of limestone in construction include: 

• To decorate the side of pathways, driveways, or flower beds. 
• In concrete mixtures 
• In paving slabs 
• Cladding for properties and buildings

Limestone adds a unique look to your space 

If you’re using limestone chippings to decorate your garden, including your driveway, pathway, and flower bed area, it will add a really nice look to your space. Limestone chippings allow you to get a little bit creative in your outdoor space, such as by adding contrast to the greenery in your garden. It can even be used indoors for decorative purposes, for example, you might want to add it to the base of your fireplace. Grey coloured limestone goes particularly well with crisp white fireplaces.

Limestone chippings can be used to protect roofs 

It’s common to see limestone chippings added to flat roofs. This is mainly to add a protective layer to the roofing materials and to weigh down the roofing materials. Naturally, the added limestone layer helps to prevent UV rays from damaging the roofing materials and also reduces the risk of damage from other elements such as wind and rain. It also stops debris and leaves from clogging up the drainage system.

Limestone is a strong building material

All limestone products are naturally strong and resistant to corrosion or damage from the natural elements. This is particularly useful if you’re using limestone blocks to create bigger, stronger structures like walls or stair structures. The strength and durability of limestone means it will endure use for a long time, which is cost-effective and beneficial for people using the building structure, as it is less likely to need repairs or replacement.

Vinyl Flooring 

Vinyl flooring is a synthetic flooring material similar to laminate flooring, and it doesn’t use any material that is derived from animal products. It’s a great option for the home due to its clean and fresh look. It also comes in a range of different colours from slate, black, grey, and wood effect, to suit different styles and decor. Luckily, vinyl flooring has a vast range of benefits from giving a nice finish to your interior space to being easy to keep clean. 

Vinyl flooring is easy to maintain 

It’s so easy to keep vinyl flooring clean. It’s as simple as wiping the surface over with a damp mop or cloth to get rid of any spillages or dirt. It’s also water-resistant, so there’s no need to worry if you spill lots of liquid on it. This makes vinyl flooring a wonderful option if you have young children or muddy pawprints. 

It is cost effective and budget friendly

On average, vinyl flooring costs around £70 to fit an area that is 4m squared. Compared with using wooden flooring, this is extremely cost-effective. It’s also durable which means it will last a long time and therefore has a long-term cost benefit.

Beginners are able to install it 

Most surfaces you’re adding vinyl to don’t need any underlay, which is especially true if the surface is flat and smooth. Also gone are the days when you needed to cut and measure all the flooring yourself. Today, it often comes in manageable sheets that can be easily installed. This means the steps to adding vinyl flooring to your home is quite simple and doesn’t require a lot of experience. 

The Future Of Building Could Be Green and Vegan

There is a big shift today into vegan and environmentally friendly building products. Therefore, what was once a dream may well be a reality in the near future, and we may see vegan building products become more widespread, not just in self-builds or eco homes. If you want to know more about the way our materials and products are sourced, please feel free to contact us for more information and we will be happy to help you.