So, you’ve decided to build your own home, but what’s your next step? Well, you need to decide which kind of home you want to build first of all. This is a bigger decision that you might have imagined. Many people just take the conventional route, but there are other options that you might want to consider too. The material that you choose to use when building the structure of your home will have a big impact on how you live in it.

How you choose to design the home and which materials you use will also have a big impact on the overall costs. Some materials are cheaper than others. And some materials could also save you money in the long-term by making the home more energy efficient than conventional homes. So, maybe now you’re starting to realizing how much of an impact these early decisions will have.

You need to be fully informed about the advantages and disadvantages of all the options before you decide. Here are some of the best mainstream and unconventional options that you should consider.

Bricks and Mortar

Let’s start with the most conventional option first. Most homes are made of bricks and mortar, but why is that? Well, first of all, bricks offer you a material that is strong and durable. And it can remain strong no matter how little maintenance is done to the structure. The fact that it’s low maintenance is another reason why so many builders still rely on bricks and mortar. Brick is also weather and fire resistant. Of course, old brick homes can be damaged by heavy storms and winds. But most of the time they will stay standing. There are some downsides that need to be considered though. Bricks can be expensive though, and they leave you with certain design limitations too.

Hemp Concrete Homes

Hemp concrete homes, also known as hempcrete homes, are increasingly being built. This is because they present some very distinct advantages that other materials can’t offer. It is not as brittle as already concrete blocks, so there is no need for expansion joints to be used. It can also absorb carbon dioxide and then releases the oxygen into the air. This makes it a very green and clean building material. It is one of the most expensive building materials around though, so this can present a problem for people with a tight budget. But if you can afford to use hemp concrete for your building project, it might just be worth the money you will have to spend.

Stone

Stone houses are certainly not as fashionable as they used to be. That doesn’t mean that they are not worth considering though. Stone is actually a great material for building your home with for all kinds of reasons. First of all, stone is really cheap to get your hands on. And once a strong and well-built stone structure is in place, it’s not going anywhere. That building will stand for centuries to come as long as no one knocks it down. Stone can also store heat in its walls, meaning that it will stay cool during the summer, and it can keep heat inside during the winter. When you consider how long stone homes have been around, it’s surprising how sustainable they are.

Tiny Houses

Tiny houses are interesting because they propose a new way for people to live. They tend to be made of wood, and they usually only have one or two rooms inside them. The great thing about this is that they’re very environmentally friendly. Some of them are also made out of recycled materials. It’s all about forcing yourself to live in a sustainable and minimalist way. Because these structures are so small, they don’t take much energy to heat them when the winter is cold too. But they won’t be perfect for everyone because only one or two people can live in them. They don’t exactly make great family homes for very obvious reasons.

Shipping Crate Home

This is one of the most interesting types of housing that you could opt for. It is the kind of thing that people will either love the idea of, or they will hate it. Living in a shipping crate might sound like a strange idea. But it’s not quite as simple as that. You need to have them changed and adapted so that they are fit for habitation. You can even have windows and things like this installed. It has become a trendy way of living, and it is certainly very sustainable. They can even be powered by solar panels attached to the roof. The major downside is the limited size and spatial design that they come with.

Log Home

When people hear the phrase ‘log home’, they automatically think of log cabins. But log cabins are usually very small and rustic. Log homes don’t have to be that way. They can be anything you want them to be. As long as they have a basic log structure, it’s a log home. They can be huge, or they can be small. They can be rural, or they can be urban. As long as you treat and stain the logs and maintain them, they will last a long time for you. You can get log stain from Weatherall and other similar companies. You will also have to think about fire safety very carefully because wood is obviously a flammable material. But with the right measures in place, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Steel Frame Structure

Steel frame structures for homes are common in some parts of the world. But in much of the world, there are not many of them at all. It is definitely worth looking at the advantages of steel frame homes though. They are very lightweight, and they can be cheaper than bricks and mortar, so it makes sense to consider it. On top of that, they are very quick to erect, meaning that the building process that you go through could be a lot quicker than you expect. On the downside, steel cannot keep inside the home very well, so there will need to be good insulation installed. If you do that, it could be a good option.

A-Frame

A-frame houses are common in some parts of America. They are called A-frame homes because they are shaped like the letter ‘A’. The roof of the home starts near the ground and rises up on both sides to meet at the top. This frame is good for cold environments because snow can’t build up on the roof of the home. There is also a good amount of storage space in the attic at the peak of the home. There are some downsides though. For example, aside from the attic space, the ‘A’ shape of the home means that there is a lot of useless space in the home. This is not ideal for many people who want to make the most of their space.

Bamboo House

If you’re truly looking to create a home that is eco-friendly, then you have to consider bamboo. It’s a great alternative to timber, which many people opt for. It’s very strong, and bamboo homes have been known to withstand storms and hurricanes in some parts of the world. The fact that this is the case shocks a lot of people. Most people assume that homes made out of bamboo are weak and flimsy, but it’s not the case at all. So, if you’re looking for the kind of home that will be strong as well as good for the environment, then bamboo offers a perfect solution for you. Do some more research into bamboo as a building material if you’re interested.

Structural Insulated Panels

For people who want to build an environmentally-friendly home in a hurry, structural insulated panels are good. These SIPs are composites of different materials that are stuck together to create layered panels. They can be used as exterior walls, and these are then very lightweight. They are commonly used by people who are not professionals and want to build their own home. They are so easy to put in place, and you don’t need many people to help you with the construction process. You will still need help, but you’ll be able to hire fewer people and spend less money on it.

Roundhouse

If you don’t know what a roundhouse is, the clue is given in the name. They are homes that are designed in the round. They have a circular structure, and they can be designed in all kinds of ways. Some of them are structured like mud huts. But there are also very modern roundhouses. It’s up to you how you design your roundhouse and what materials you decide to use. Other than the basic shape of them, there are no real rules that you have to follow. Some are made of glass and steel while others are made of wood. They have been around for centuries, but they are enjoying a renaissance among eco enthusiasts. So, consider whether this could be the type of home for you.