Structure and

materials

ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL RENEWABLE MATERIALS IN THE BUILDING

SECTOR
Sanela Klari, Adnan Novali, Zedina Hujdur, sminur Aybek, Amar Dautovi
International Burch University - Department of Architecture, Bosnia and Herzegovina
sanela.klaric@ibu.edu.ba, adnan.novalic@ibu.edu.ba, zedina.h@hotmail.com,
isminuraybek@gmail.com, amardautovic91@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
Architecture design today has become far more challenging than it once used to be. Both
research and demand for ecological building materials have been growing rapidly, particularly
for insulating materials from renewable resources. On the contrary, conventional design, constructions and materials are still predominantly used in the world, and particularly in Bosnia and
Herzegovina and Turkey. In addition to the accustomed thermal insulation thickness and heating
demand, architects need to design new or renovate existing structures in compliance with the
primary energy demand, CO2 reductions, as well as ecological properties of building materials,
and, in other words, take a holistic approach.
The aim of this paper is to present a comparison between the use of conventional methods, constructions and materials and alternative solutions of renewable insulation materials application in wall constructions. Conventional walls are predominantly made of cement, bricks,
Styrofoam, plaster and paint. For innovative walls, however, materials used for a wall 1 are: brick,
wood fibre insulation, plaster, coat render, and for wall 2: timber, sheeps wool insulation, brick,
OSB board and plaster. The test results indicate the amount of primary energy and CO2 emission
that could be saved if renewable materials are used not only for insulation but for the construction as well. Findings also show great demand for a new clean technology in brick production
that will save energy and CO2 emission. Our findings also suggest that renewable materials have
more ecological advantages and present fewer health risks.
Keywords: wall construction, natural insulation materials, primary energy, global warming
potential, health
INTRODUCTION

445

The production of most of todays building materials is a process that both consumes high
amounts of energy and emits large amounts of Carbon dioxide (CO2). Many wall patterns that
currently exist across the world are constructed using similar building methods or insulation

materials. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and Turkey, wall patterns in residential buildings are
almost identical. For a better understanding of sustainable architecture needs and requirements,
one common wall pattern was examined as well as compared with two innovative wall examples.
This is in line with the requirements of the new European Union ( EU) directives from 2010
t h a t include a more holistic approach to architectural design. DIRECTIVE 2010/31/EU of the
European Parliament and the European Council of 19 May, 2010 on the energy performance of
buildings requires that the energy performance certificate also provides information about
the actual impact of heating and cooling on the energy needs of the building, on its primary
energy consumption and on its carbon dioxide emissions[1]

Structure and
materials

Furthermore, this paperencompasses all necessary information and drawings in addressing

important questions regarding wall constructions as well as for their insulation materials. Unique
to this research is its analysis of one of the newest innovative insulation materials (wood fibre
and sheeps wool) that could be found on the market today. Additionally, the combination of
these insulation materials with one of the oldest brick materials as a commonly used
material in all three case walls will be discussed from several aspects, including CO2
emission and potential for global warming. Results of the research could play a key role in future
reduction of energy demands of buildings as well as providing proposals for new investors
considering innovative local materials in the aforementioned two countries and beyond.
PRESENTATION OF THE EXAMINED WALLS MATERIALS AND DIMENSIONS
The locations of all examined walls are identical. The examined walls are an element
of a residential building, located on the first floor, on the north side of the building, as a wall
without any openings. All examined walls contain the same base construction, i.e. brick. Wall 1
represents the most common wall pattern in B&H and Turkey, while Wall 2 and Wall 3 illustrate
innovative approach that combine brick with natural materials such as a wood and sheeps wool.

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Structure and
materials

Wall 1.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Exterior wall paint 0.0005 m

Finishing coat with cement 0.01 m
Roughcast with cement 0.05 m
Horizontally perforated bricks (0.085 x 0.190 m ) 0.085 m
Styrofoam 10 density 0.03 m
Horizontally perforated bricks (0.085 x 0.190 m) 0.085m
Gypsum plaster 0.005 m
Satin gypsum plaster 0.001 m
Water based silicon interior wall paint 0.0005 m

Figure 1. Wall 1 - 3D visualization of study case external wall; Resource: Authors drawing

447

Wall 2.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Plaster 0.015 m
Brickwork 0.215 m (0.75 W/mK)
Rigid wood fibre insulation 0.2 m (0.043 W/mK)
Lime or polymer (vapur permeable) render 0.02 m

Structure and
materials

Figure 2. Wall 2 - 3D visualization of study case external timber frame wall; Resource: Authors drawing

448

Structure and
materials

Wall 3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Brick external leaf 0.103 m

Unventilated cavity 0.05 m
OSB board 0.01 m
Vapour permeable membrane
Timber frame fully filled with 0.14 m wool thermal
Vapour control layer
Internal finish of 0.0125 m standard plasterboard

Figure 3. Wall 3 - 3D visualization of study case external timber frame wall; Resource: Authors drawing

449

Presentation of the construction and insulation materials of the examined wall

In orderto better understand sustainable requirements of building materials, an assessment
of the energy requirement and CO 2 emissions has been done for the following materials:

Structure and
materials

Fired bricks
Fired bricks were invented in 3500 BC and have become the worlds most common form of
masonry. They are made from clay, which is a natural material. Naturally drained bricks (erpi
/ kerpi) are more sustainable, but fired brick has a higher embodied energy because they
are p r e p a r e d at temperatures of 900-1200 C with high levels of CO2 emissions. With that
in mind, the most environmentally friendly option is to recycle (buy reclaimed bricks), although
it is essential to match the type of brick to its function: facing bricks for cladding, strong
engineering bricks for structural walls, and common bricks, which are durable but not attractive,
for foundations and internal walls. Bricks come in a bewildering array of designs, shapes, textures
and colors, and they can be combined in various patterns, called bonds. They can be used for
cladding, framework, foundations and features such as chimneys. Roughly, 17 % of a brick wall is
made up of mortar. Portland cement is the most common mortar material, but traditional lime
mortar is increasingly being revived, as it is made from a natural non-toxic material and allows
walls to breathe. The advantages of those materials are as follows: they are made from natural
material; most clay pits are carefully managed, and refilled and replanted after use, idly durable
and low- maintenance, combination with lime mortar, high thermal mass, they can be reused or
recycled or are able to be used as a construction aggregate. This material has disadvantages,
also, such as: high embodied energy, most often laid with Portland cement, also a high-energy
product, often used as exterior cladding on lightweight buildings which negates their thermalmass properties, since any radiant heat escapes outwards into the atmosphere. [2]
Styrofoam
Styrofoam, also called EPS, is not a natural material. It is t h e most common material seen
on building construction sites today and. also one of the more accessible insulation materials on
the market when it comes to price and availability. However, the question about the embodied
energy of this material is a part of the debate and discussion. Debate on the choice of insulation
materials tends to be related to environmental considerations, durability and build ability. If we
first consider the environmental aspects (and keep in mind that it can be misleading to talk about
an element out of context, i.e. insulation without considering the entire, say, wall construction)
a principal concern for plastic insulations is ensuring that ozone-depleting chemicals are not
used in their manufacture. The situation is in flux, which is why, individual manufacturers must

450

Structure and
materials

be contacted on their products. [3] Because of these reasons, architects need to be cautious
when insulation materials, keeping in mind their influence on nature.
This insulation material could be used on or below sub-floor slabs, between timber joints,
partial or full fill wall boards or flat or pitched roofs.
Advantages of those materials include their moisture resistance (low water vapor
transmission, no capillary action, high resistance to moisture absorption), resistance to diluted
acids and alkalis, cheap, variation of dimensions as well as their, recyclability.
This material has also disadvantages. It is not such as: not being resistant to organic
solvents, melts and shrinks away from small heat sources, ignites with severe flames and smokes
heavily when exposed to a large heat source, has a high embodied energy and is expensive to
recycle.
Wood fibre
Wood fibre is a fairly new insulation material which was introduced about twenty years
ago. It arose from inventing new ways of transforming timber waste from thinning and
factories into insulation boarding. It is also a recyclable and reusable material that absorbs
CO 2 from the environment in a sustainable way. Its significance lies in its range of functions
including rigid insulation, sheathing and sharking for timber frames, roofs and flooring as well as
flexible insulation for studs and rafters.
In addition to being manufactured from a renewable source, the advantages of those
materials are their breathability which helps the regulation of moisture, material density
(necessary for adding a degree of decrement delay that will be useful for hotter summer days),
heating capacity (twice more than mineral wool), the capacity to both absorb and release
moisture making it a breathable structure, reusability if it is in a suitable condition, recyclability,
compost ability or applications in energy recovery, sequestering of CO2 during tree growth and
hygroscopicity provides a degree of humidity control and decrement delay.
This material also has disadvantages, which include: a high embodied energy, if imported
from another country that could increase the embodied energy, rigid boards can be fragile and
difficult to use on site.
Sheeps wool

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Sheep wool is an easily renewable, easily recyclable and environmentally friendly source
of raw material, which consists on average of 60 % animal protein fibres, 15 % moisture, 10 %

fat, 10 % sheep sweat and 5 % impurities. [4] Sheeps wool is a hygroscopic fibre, meanng that
t absorbs, stores and releases moisture much faster than other materials. It has the capacity to
absorb over 35% of its own weight in moisture without introducing any significant changes to
its thermal performance. [5] Sheeps wool insulation is well suited for timber frame structures
as it maintains a natural synergy with wood. By drawing out the moisture, sheep wool fibres
condition the wood and thereby protects the fabric of the entire building. Indoor air quality
and maximal thermal efficiency are improved by natural insulation because they allow the
structure to breathe while at the same time maintaining thermal resistance.

Structure and
materials

The benefits of sheeps wool also includes its durability and longevity. The importance of
its insulating abilities also lie in the fact that it ensures the products durability throughout the
life of the building. Compression tests proved that sheep wool insulation has a great recovery
rate within the first 24 hours of its installation. The material insulation is resistant to compaction,
unlike some alternatives that will compact over time and compromise thermal conductivity.
This longevity of sheeps wool ensures that the insulation will continue to act by high standards
throughout the whole buildings lifespan.
This natural material ensures indoor air quality because sheeps wool insulation has a unique
ability to absorb noxious gases that are emitted from building products e.g. formaldehyde; a
carcinogenic gas emitted from different man-made building materials. Wool absorbs these gases
by locking them up which helps protect the residents from health risks. A lack of breathability
in buildings can cause various problems, including health issues as a result of mould and damp.
This material also reaches high fire standards. The wool has to be washed and treated in
a specific way in order to become fire safe. Sheeps wool is a comfortable material and easy to
handle as it can be done without protective clothing. There is no risk to human health and natural
material is easy to recycle and eco-friendly, it is biodegradable which means it can becomposted
into the ground to participate in Eraths natural cycle. Moreover sheeps wool insulation can be
recycled in a way to produce extra energy.
U-value calculations for three wall cases
U-value - The heat transfer coefficient is about the flow of the heat U [W/m K], through the
single material or multiple materials in the construction. U-value is the essential characteristic
of the outer structural element and plays a major role in the analysis of the total heat losses
(kWh/m 2), and thus the energy consumption for heating. When the heat transfer coefficient is
decreased, the thermal insulation of buildings becomes better.

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Structure and
materials

453

Comparison of U-values for all three case walls (Wall1, Wall2, and Wall3)
Presented below is the method of calculation of the U-value for the three types of wall
s discussed along with all of the materials that have been chosen. All walls are tested to reach
passive house standards, namely 0, 15 Wmk. It is because of this that all walls have been
calculated with more insulation materials. This method of calculating has been adopted by the
TUW (Technical University in Vienna) as the official U- value calculation method during Project
Sheep Wool Research Centre of Building Physics and Sound Protection at the Vienna University
of Technology.[6] Calculations were based on dimension, density, CO2 emission, water vapor
permeability coefficient and basic dimensions. The calculations were conducted using weather
data from the International Weather for Energy Calculation (IWEC) database of the city of Banja
Luka (B&H) and the city of Istanbul(Turkey). Banja Luka has a continental climate which is
applicable for a large part of B&H. Istanbul, on the other hand, has a Mediterranean climate that
is applicable for a large part of Turkey.Currently official climate data exists only for one city in
B&H and three cities in Turkey. However, specific climate data for specific locations in B&H and
Turkey is required for optimisation, which is why collecting data for various locations in B&H and
Turkey will be a task of future research activities.

Wall 1.

Structure and
materials

Table 1. Final result of U-value calculation (data resource: Baubook Richtwerte und Produkte, IBO, Gramitech, Naporo)

[MJ/m3]

Primary Energy

[MJ/m2]

0.246

0.0738

0.00147

9,180

91.8

5106

KEA

[MJ/m3]

30

KEA

[1]

Acid manner
(SO2-q.)

[kg C02]

Equivalent CO2

[1]

Potential Global
Warming
(CO2-q.)

r
[kg/m3]

m
[1]

Air

Rsi+Rse

l
[W/mK]

Sandwich Brick
Wall

[m2K/W]

d
[m]

Exterior wall reconstruction with 0.25 m EP

0.17

Satin Gypsum
plaster

0.01

0.3

50

Gypsum plaster

0.05

0.3

50

30

0.246

0.369

0.00147

9,180

459

5106

0.085

0.55

1700

0.176

25.432

0.000553 4,233

359.805

2297

0.25

0.042

60

25

4.169

26.05625

822

2996

0.085

0.55

1700

0.176

25.432

359.805

2297

0.005

0.7

50

1000

0.246

1.23

0.00147

9,180

45.9

7686

0.001

0.7

50

1000

0.246

0.246

0.00147

9,180

9.18

2669

Horizontally
Perforated Bricks
Styrofoam 25
density
Horizontally
Perforated Bricks
Roughcast with
cement
Finishing Coat
with cement

0.0149

3,288

0.000553 4,233

U-value 0.15 W/mK

Results of the calculation of the U-value of Wall 1show that the U- value for the common
pattern (insulation only 0.03-0.08 m of Styrofoam) is 0.71W/mK, which is too high. The only way
to improve the results for an energy efficient wall was to decrease U- value, which is done by
increasing thickness of the Styrofoam insulation from 0.03m to 0.25 m. This brought the U-value
down to the satisfying 0.15 W/mk, which enables good thermal performance of the building
envelope.

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Structure and
materials

Wall 2.
Table 2. Final result of U-value calculation (data resource: Baubook Richtwerte und Produkte, IBO, Gramitech, Naporo)

[MJ/m2]

[MJ/m3] Primary energy

Brick

0.215

0.55

1700

0.176

64.328 0.000553

4,233 910.095

7796

Plaster

0.015

0.2

10

1300

0.128

2.496

0.00045

3,328

49.92

19629

0.3

0.048

2300

0.128

88.32

0.00045

3,328

998.4

4355

Rigid wood
fibre insulation

[m2K/W]

KEA

[MJ/m3]

18792

KEA

[1]

64.44

Acid manner
(SO2-q.)

[kg C02]

3,222

Ekvivalent CO2

[1]

0.00049

Air (i und e)

6.048

Brickwork wall
with rigid wood
fibre insulation

Rsi+Rse

0.168

1800

[1]
10

l
0.2

[W/mK]

0.02

d
Lime mortar

[m]

[kg/m3]

Potential
global warming
(CO2-q.)

Exterior wall reconstruction with 0.3 m of wood fibre insulation

0.17

U-value 0.14

W/mK

The U-value during the calculation of the U-value of Wall 2, results of the calculation
for Wall 2 is 0.20 W/mk, which is also too high. In order to lower this, the thickness of the
wood fibre insulation has been increased from 0.25 m to 0. 30 m, which brought the value
down to. 0.14 W/mk which enables good thermal performance of the building envelope.

455

Wall 3.

Structure and
materials

Table 3. Final result of U-value calculation (data resource: Baubook Richtwerte und Produkte, IBO, Gramitech, Naporo)

[MJ/m3]

Primary energy

[MJ/m2]

KEA

[MJ/m3]

KEA

[1]

Acid manner
(SO2-q.)

[kg C02]

Equivalent CO2

[1]

Potential
global warming
(CO2-q.)

[kg/m3]

m
[1]

Rsi+Rse

l
[W/mK]

Exterior timber
frame wall with
20 cm of sheep
wool insulation

[m2K/W]

d
[m]

Exterior wall reconstruction with 0.2 m of sheep wool

Lime mortar

0.01

0.2

10

1800

0.168

3.024

0.00049

3,222

32.22

18792

Brick

0.25

0.55

1700

0.176

74.8

0.000553 4,233 1058.25

7796

OSB Board

0.012

0.13

200

610

-1

-7.32

0.00603

5,685

68.22

18239

Vapour
membrane

0.01

0.23

100000

980

2.55

24.99

0.0253

91,532 915.32

86112

Timber frame

0.2

0.12

50

450

-1.26

-11.34

0.0341

3,618

72.36

13485

Sheep wool

0.2

0.04

30

1.6

9.6

0.0103

3,495

699

735

Vapour
membrane 1

0.01

0.23

100000

980

2.55

24.99

0.0253

91,532 915.32

Air

0.17

U-value 0.13

86112

W/mK

Calculating the U-value of Wall 3, with dimensions of sheeps wool and timber frame (0.14
m), was impossible. In order to get around this, the dimensions of the timber frame and wool
were increased from 0.014 m to 0.020 m, which brought the final U-value to a satisfying 0.13 W/
mk.

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Structure and
materials

Finally, of importance to note is that in each of the three aforementioned wall constructions
it is indeed possible to reach passive house standards by increasing the thickness of the insulation
materials.
Alternative natural material resource and locally existing materials Bosnia and
Herzegovina (B&H)
Material resources can be easily found locally. All brick production in B&H is fired brick,
and its production can be found in few settlement near B&H capital city Sarajevo. All production
in B&H is fired brick.
Wood fibre production, on the other hand, cannot be found in B&H, even though the
wood industry is well-developed in B&H. This insulation material is fairly new in construction,
which is why it is imported from European companies. It is important to mention that there
should be more investment in the wood products throughout B&H, certainly a move that would
increase knowledge about the construction and usage of wooden materials as well as economic
benefits to B&H.
The availability of raw sheeps wool is widely available in B&H, with the country producing
more than 1, 5 million kg per year. Official statistic estimated a population of 1,046,000 sheep
and 747,000 breeding ewes on 31 December 2010. [7] There is currently one manufacturer of
sheeps wool insulation material in B&H. Unfortunately, the cleaning of the wool is still done by
more traditional methods, so there is lot of room for reconstruction and improvement. Also
the production company is under developed and the final product currently does not have any
certification nor any accreditation by laboratory testing. This material is not yet widely seen on
the local market. This industry provides a great economic development opportunity in B&H.
Lastly, production of Styrofoam is readily available both locally and/or imported, it is
therefore safe to assume that there is no problem in finding this material on the market in B&H.
PRIMARY ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EMBODIED ENERGY FOR THREE WALLS
CASES
Primary energy consumption (PEC) refers to the direct use at the source, or supply to
users without transformation of crude energy, that is, energy which has not been subjected to
any conversion or transformation process. [8] The primary energy used varies from product
to product, but it is generally much lower for wood than other materials. However, there are
exceptions, such as wood-fibre which requires high processing temperatures. [9]

457

Embodied energy provides information about the entire life time of materials. According
to definitions it is also called life cycle assessment (LCA) and a useful tool for evaluating
the relative environmental impact of various building materials because it takes production,
transportation and disposal into account, all things that can have a pronounced environmental
impact but are not necessarily reflected in the price.[10]

Structure and
materials

Embodied energy enables, those who are interested to decide on which materials to use
in a structure. Considering long life materials and environmental impact low embodied energy
is the best for energy efficiency. This study encompasses three materials and their embodied
energies;
EPS
:
Wood Fibre :
Sheeps Wool :

1126 kWh/m3
133 kWh/m3
31 kWh/m3

Potential global warming coefficient demonstrates the actual potential of materials for
global warming. For the three walls, the potential global warming comparison for all materials
has been performed as well as a comparison between all materials from all three walls. That
information will, once again, confirm advantages and benefits of natural materials as friendly
products that have the ability to make a negative impact on nature, which in this case is desirable.

Figure 4; potential global warming of wall materials for wall 1, (data resource: Baubook Richtwerte und
Produkte, IBO, Gramitech, Naporo)

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Structure and
materials

According to Figure 4, Styrofoam has the highest level of potential global warming (4,169
CO2 Eq), followed by satin gypsum plaster, gypsum plaster, rough cast with cement and finishing
coat with cement containing the same amount (0,246 CO 2 Eq), and finally horizontally
perforated bricks (0.176 CO2 Eq).

Figure 5; Potential global warming of wall materials for wall 2, (data resource: Baubook Richtwerte und
Produkte, IBO, Gramitech, Naporo)

According to Figure 5, brick has the highest absorption level (0.176 CO2 Eq) followed by
lime mortar (0.16 CO2 Eq), and ultimately. After these two materials is plaster with 0.12 CO2 Eq.
The rigid wood fibre insulation has an amount of -0.8 CO 2 Eq which indicates that there is no
potential for global warming considering the absorption of CO 2.
According to Figure 6, vapour membrane has the highest absorption level (2, 55 CO2
Eq) which is followed by sheeps wool (1, 6 CO 2 Eq). Next is brick (0,176 CO2 Eq) and then lime
mortar (0,168 CO 2 Eq). Finally, OSB board (-1 CO 2 Eq) and timber frame (-1, 26 CO 2 Eq) indicate
that there is no potential for global warming considering the absorption of C02.

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Structure and
materials

Figure 6; potential global warming of wall materials for wall 3, (data resource: Baubook Richtwerte und
Produkte, IBO, Gramitech, Naporo)

Comparison of insulation materials in accordance to Potential global warming,

Equivalent CO2 and Embodied energy

Figure 7; potential global warming of wall materials for all three walls, (data resource: Baubook Richtwerte und Produkte, IBO, Gramitech, Naporo)

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Structure and
materials

Equivalence of CO2 demonstrates how many kilograms of CO2 are produced per 1kg of
materials shown in Figure 7. According to the graph of equivalent of CO2, it can be seen that
wood fibre has conceivably the lowest level (-554, 76 CO2 kg / kg followed by sheeps wool
(9, 6 CO2 kg / kg). EPS contains the highest level of CO 2. These statistics illustrate that the CO2 of
wood fibre has the strongest effect, which is absorbed and does not stay in the atmosphere. This
is characteristic of an ideal state when taking into consideration potential global warming.
CONCLUSION
All characteristics of the planet should be taken into account during the design of
residential buildings as todays materials have an immense impact on the environment. Here we
utilized analyses of wall designs to illustrate a comparison between values and impacts of natural
and synthetic materials.
Styrofoam, a synthetic material, is most commonly utilized in construction due to its
durability, build ability and price. However, its embodied energy, along with its inflammable
characteristics and instability, present a great threat to the environment. Another material
that, similar to Styrofoam, has a high embodied energy, is modern natural wood fiber.
However, due to its breathability, heating capacity, material density, etc., it provides a healthier
alternative to Styrofoam. Furthermore, sheeps wool, with its low embodied energy and the fact
that it is locally available, is another natural alternative as it is comfortable and easy to work with
without potential health hazards. Brick, a common material in all three presented wall cases,
is made from clay and it has a high thermal mass. Moreover, its enormous embodied energy
has a potentially negative effect on the environment, which puts it at a disadvantage.
The main environmental advantage of Sheeps wools unique ability to absorb noxious
gases emitted from building products, resulting in a fire performance rating of Euro Class E which
ensures that the material is flame retardant, is its key environmental advantage. Furthermore,
sheeps wool and wood fibre demonstrate strong fire resistance performances when compared
to Styrofoam, which has different negative performance in flames.

461

When considering the U-value for all three wall constructions, it is clear that passive house
standards can be reached simply by increasing insulation thickness. However, the true indicator
for this ability and thereby the value of a natural material is its potential for global warming. Here
we show that Styrofoam has the highest potential for global warming, whereas wood fibre and
sheeps wool are significantly lower in this regard. Another important factor by which a materials
value is assessed is the equivalence of CO2 emission. Wood fibre, with its negative impact on the
environment, has the best value of CO2. (In other words, the lowest CO2emission)

Styrofoams availability and familiarity in B&H, is a great motivator for most investors in
their choice of insulation materials. Wood fibre is not produced in B&H, thereby pointing out
an investment opportunity for wood products in the region. There is also great potential for
local economic development and export for sheeps wool insulation materials productions which
could be achieved by applications of EU standards and procedures.

Structure and
materials

The health of the planet is something to be kept in mind, and by all means implement ways
to help maintain it, which is why investors and architects should consciously choose construction
materials in order to support sustainability. The utilization of natural materials and their value
have vast advantages over their synthetic counterparts, as is evident from the data presented in
this paper. The current analyses of aforementioned materials provide powerful arguments for the
utilization of natural materials and their advantages not just architecturally speaking but also from
other perspectives, including their local availability and thereby their economic values. Ultimately,
the benefits of the utilization of natural materials span beyond the scopes of architecture. As
weather data plays a significant role in the choice and optimization of natural materials and their
subsequent use in building construction, an updated and detailed weather database that is a
compilation of weather data obtained from full territories is of utmost importance for B&H and
Turkey.
Acronyms
B&H
CO2
CO2 Eq
EPS
EU
IWEC
LCA
OSB
PEC
TUW

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide equivalent
Styrofoam
European Union
International Weather for Energy Calculation
Life Cycle Assessment
Oriented strand board)
Primary energy consumption)
Technical University in Vienna

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on
the energy performance of buildings, Official Journal of the European Union.
2. Strongman C., The Sustainable Home, Merrell, London, New York, 2008

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materials

3. Taylor & Francis / Team of specialists at Max Fordham LLP, Environmental design: an
introduction for architects and engineers, Edited by Randall Thomas, 2006
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2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access
article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank to Professors Thomas Bednar and Professor Azra Korjeni
from the Technical University of Vienna for their technical support and advises. Also we would
like to thanks to the colleagues Yaar, Serdar and Ahmet Sencer, who provided some valuable
data from Turkey for this research.

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