Durable Housing Materials That Can Resist the Effects of Climate Change

Around the world, reports of extreme weather are on the rise as climate patterns shift. In the past few decades, the United States has experienced hotter summers, more intense heat waves, and heavier precipitation events —among other effects that vary by region due to climate change. These trends demand that we shift our lifestyles along with our building habits to endure more extreme conditions, and to build more sustainably to mitigate future impacts.

Anyone designing, building, renovating, or simply imagining their dream home should consider resilient and sustainable building materials that can withstand the extremes of climate change.

Climate change is causing an uptick in natural disasters like floods, wildfires, and large storms in many parts of the United States, making it more likely that your home will be affected by extreme weather. Property data shows that about 1 in 10 residential properties were impacted by natural disasters in 2021, costing an estimated $56.92 billion in total damage. That damage has contributed to rising costs of home insurance across most of the country as well.

In addition to natural disasters, homes are at greater risk from factors like freeze-thaw, mold, and pest problems that may worsen with changing climatic conditions. That’s why it’s worth investing in materials that can not only withstand the forces of nature, but are also made sustainably to help curb future effects of climate change.

Wood is the most common structural material for U.S. homes currently. Widely available, versatile, and relatively inexpensive, lumber is popular for good reason. However, traditional stick frame construction has its drawbacks when it comes to durability, particularly for fire resistance.

Other common materials have serious limitations in their resilience as well, such as asphalt shingles and vinyl siding. These are easily damaged by high wind or hail, and any leaks can expose the structure to further degradation.

As with many commonplace supplies, builders often overlook their shortcomings in favor of short-term savings and convenience. However, with climate change now factoring into decision-making, the following alternative materials are becoming preferable for their long-term benefits.

Fire-rated Engineered Wood

Engineered wood describes any type of composite material made predominantly from wood, although many kinds are rated for fire resistance. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is one of the most familiar and affordable types of engineered wood, and OSB can be made with a fire-rated coating that makes it flame retardant and generally more durable.

Various tiers of fire rating indicate different levels of protection, but ultimately OSB can still be susceptible to deteriorating like natural wood in the presence of moisture, pests, or fire. However, other materials prove much more resilient and even offer additional benefits for energy efficiency.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

For improved climate resilience you might consider structural insulated panels (SIPS). These are made with a core of insulation sandwiched between two sturdy facings. SIPs are typically made to order, and the prefabricated panels then fit together to construct the walls or roof of a home.

Along with energy efficiency gains from their insulated structure, SIPs offer excellent resistance to termites, rot, flooding, and other factors that can damage wood structures over time. Basic SIPs use a foam core between layers of OSB, but advanced versions use concrete facings and internal metal frames for superior durability in the face of natural disasters.

An alternative to SIPs with similarly resilient properties, insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are instead constructed on-site by pouring concrete into a foam-block mold. SIPs and ICFs can even be used together to combine the best of both technologies, typically by using ICFs for the ground level and SIPs for the higher walls and roof.

Straw Bale Walls

Once considered a fringe, low-tech method for sustainable building, straw bale construction has come a long way thanks to its incorporation with conventional building techniques. Straw bale walls are typically made from tightly packed straw, stacked in bales, and coated with plaster. This basic method provides excellent insulation, soundproofing, and fire resistance because compressed straw does not readily burn.

The basic method is more susceptible to pests, however, along with moisture and rot, and it does not always meet building codes. The good news is that updated methods of straw bale construction can meet code and overcome the other downsides while remaining cost-effective.

One such method is called infilling, where straw bales are added for insulation among a structural wood frame. Another way is with straw bale SIPs. These special types of SIPs use compressed straw as the inner layer, with plaster or concrete on the outside for improved structure and weatherproofing.

Clay Roofing Tiles

Clay tiles have long been popular in hot climates like the American Southwest and the Mediterranean, but their advantages are not limited to desert environments. Clay roofing tiles have excellent insulation and heat dissipation qualities.

Compared to asphalt shingles — the most common roofing material in the U.S. — clay tiles can last more than four times as long and hold up much better to extreme weather like high wind and hail. Clay is also a natural and abundant material, so it’s much more sustainable than asphalt shingles.

The major drawback of clay roofing is its cost, as these tiles are more expensive to install and maintain than conventional shingles. There are other options with similar properties, however, that can cost less. Examples are concrete tiles or synthetic tiles that mimic natural materials. Some synthetics are even made with recycled plastic, so they’re considered a green building alternative.

Stucco Siding

Another material that deserves more than its regional popularity is stucco siding, a cement-based coating with a textured finish. Although most common in the Southwest, stucco has advantages for other climates as well. It is long-lasting and notably resistant to fire, pest infestation, and rot. It also has an attractive look and is quite versatile in design.

Stucco does have its drawbacks, especially in wetter climates. It’s prone to damage from excessive moisture and from settling soil. Both of these can cause cracks that expose the sheathing to further damage. Enhanced forms of stucco are available, however, that use additives to improve flexibility and moisture resistance. This can make stucco an all-around more versatile and durable choice for home design.

Brick Siding

One of the oldest building materials on earth, brick has been used to make homes for thousands of years. Although solid-brick walls are not generally strong enough for home construction, brick siding remains an effective means of improving durability and energy efficiency. Bricks are resistant to moisture and freezing; they provide good insulation, and they are virtually fireproof. Bricks are also eco-friendly because they are made from abundant, natural-earth materials.

The downsides of brick are mainly in the costs of construction and repair. Additionally, brick walls can crack with extreme temperature fluctuations that come with climate change, and this can make a structure vulnerable to the elements as well as pests. The best way to prevent damage, however, is choosing the right mortar to resist moisture and temperature changes, and investing in professional installation to ensure quality.

As a time-tested method of home construction, brick can hardly be considered an alternative building material. However, new challenges demand a re-evaluation of traditional approaches, and brick remains a solid option for climate resilience and energy efficiency. When combined with modern technology and with innovative materials like SIPs or recycled synthetics, age-old techniques like brick can still hold up to resist the effects of climate change.