It\’s beautifully easy to miss a budget-friendly modern home these days. That\’s because some of the cheapest constructions are the most forward-thinking ones. Newer technologies provide the opportunity for a more streamlined construction process that saves on the cost of materials, transportation and installation. There are new ideas in the world of recycled and upcycled materials too.
Whatever style you love, it\’s always good to remember that newer constructions are generally much smarter than older homes when it comes to energy efficiency. So although some may cost a little more in the short term, the running costs are generally far lower.
Some of the cheap building materials perfect for a low-cost home!
Prefabricated panels
Prefabricated materials are the very first port of call if you\’re looking to save money. They are available in stunning designs these days and have emerged to become one of the most important housing trends in recent years.
![](\"https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a8/03/b9/a803b9bea45540253ae33e524db36389.webp\")
Shipping containers
Shipping containers are extremely solid structures. They are so popular as a building material that several home building companies construct them from scratch just for this market. They are definitely cheaper than your standard home.
![\"Image](\"http://ecotalk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/45c284c76172d649deb1e03c1e78fc1a-container-buildings-shipping-container-houses.jpg\")
Recycled wood
Old building materials are no longer deemed redundant and thrown on the world\’s ever-growing trash pile. Instead, they are carefully combed over and the best pieces are prepared for reuse. This is a good choice if you love the historical feel of preloved materials.
![](\"https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c0/68/fa/c068fa5e942604570c2a0c6d0bb0e987.jpg\")
Corrugated iron
Black corrugated iron can look very classy, particularly when it covers the whole facade. It\’s also one of the cheapest and lightest construction materials to transport.
![\"Related](\"http://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/bush-house_180116_04-800x514.jpg\")
Laminated bamboo
Bamboo is a classic budget-friendly building material. While it was once known as the poor man\’s lumber in much of Asia, it has finally been recognised by the international design community for its strength, flexibility and environmentally friendly qualities. Just beware of the kind of bamboo you buy. The most long lasting bamboo homes are used with bamboo harvested at a very specific point in the growing cycle.
Iron beams
Iron beams can do double duty in a home design. They can form your base structure and they have a certain industrial chic quality so they can be decorative as well.
![\"Image](\"https://cdn.decoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Steel-beams-become-a-part-of-theinterior-design.jpg\")
Simple brick
Bricks are quite a cheap construction material. The only caveat is that they are a little labor intensive to install and this will raise the costs of installation. In the long term however, brick is very cheap to maintain. It looks better for far longer than many other construction materials.
Straw roof
Straw has been used as a roofing material for thousands of years because it\’s often easily available. This means it\’s both cheap and light to transport. So your primary costs here come from the labor. In some parts of Asia it\’s a fairly common type of roof so a straw roof can be quite cheap to install.
![\"Related](\"https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/w/images/f/f1/Thatchroof2.jpg\")
Natural stone
Natural stone is an excellent insulator if you are concerned about excess heat. It really pays to explore local options because the main costs will involve transportation and installation due to its weight. But once you have made that initial investment, it will last forever.
![\"Image](\"https://cdn.trendir.com/wp-content/uploads/old/house-design/stone-home-pictures-natural-bay-house-1.jpg\")
Ar.Jaspreet Kaur
Senior faculty-IVS School of Design
