Sustainable construction &
biogenic materials 

Explore sustainable construction methods, biogenic materials, and long-term moisture monitoring up to 25 years with Tector.

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Greenroof biogenic built

There is no such thing as “sustainable” in the construction

There is no such a thing as fully sustainable construction. Every building has a carbon footprint, consumes resources and carries risk over its lifetime. What is possible is to make better decisions at design stage, during construction, and in operation  that reduce unnecessary waste, rework and emissions.

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The construction industry is responsible for a significant share of global CO₂ emissions. A large proportion of this comes not from initial built, but from repairs, replacements and premature failure of building elements. When materials fail early, they are removed, replaced and rebuilt, multiplying their original carbon impact.

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Reducing this impact is not about single “green” materials. It is about durability, quality assurance and risk management across the full lifecycle of a building.

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Straw building

Why moisture control is central to sustainability

  • Moisture is one of the most common causes of hidden damage in buildings. Left undetected, it can compromise structural elements, insulation and finishes, leading to costly repairs and avoidable CO₂ emissions.
    Managing moisture early and continuously is one of the most effective, practical ways to::
    • Extend the life of building elements
    • Reduce the need for repairs and replecements
    • Protect the carbon investment already embodied in a structure
    This applies to all construction types, and becomes even more critical when using low-CO₂ and biogenic materials that rely on controlled moisture conditions to perform as intended.

Sustainable construction methods focus on durability and risk reduction

  • Sustainable construction methods are often framed around energy efficiency or material choice. In practice, some of the biggest environmental gains come from reducing failure and rework.
    Effective methods focus on:
    • Design to tolerate real site conditions
    • Sequencing construction to limit moisture exposure
    • Verifying performance with data
        • Maintaining risk visibility post handover
Passivhaus building using straws and tector moisture monitoring
“By implementing Tector's moisture monitoring, we can reassure occupants that their homes are safe, allowing them to feel secure in their investment in sustainable construction.”
Samuel Mydland
Architect and strategic developer at JDH Byg

Use biogenic materials confidently

Choosing low-CO₂ materials is just the start, performance depends on how they’re installed, protected, and monitored. Here’s a quick guide to commonly used biogenic and biobased materials, with links to real-world cases showing how moisture monitoring keeps them performing as intended:

CLT
CLT offers low embodied carbon and predictable structural performance when kept within defined moisture limits. Monitoring during installation, enclosure and early operation helps prevent hidden damage and supports long-term durability.

Read about CLT moisture monitoring at Ripple Residence in Denmark.
Ripple Residence CLT residential building in Denmark
Straw constructions
Straw systems have a very low CO₂ footprint and strong insulation properties. They are sensitive to prolonged moisture exposure during construction phases, making early detection and drying verification critical.

Learn how Tector is supporting the biggest straw loggistics center in Europe.
Bestseller, biggest straw logistics center in the world using tectors moisture monitoring.
Hempcrete and biobased mixes
Hempcrete and similar biobased materials are hygroscopic and often slow to dry. Continuous monitoring helps identify trapped moisture and supports informed decisions during curing and enclosure.
Hempcrete biogenic build
Passivhaus builds
Passivhaus projects prioritise airtightness and low operational energy use. Moisture monitoring supports durability by identifying condensation and vapor-related risks that may not be visible during inspections.

Learn about a Passivhaus homes in England using Tector for moisture control.
Passivhaus biogenic homes in England

Sustainable construction is a long-term outcome

Buildings represent significant carbon and financial investments, yet most lack the continuous monitoring needed to protect their value. Moisture monitoring is a small investment with a big payoff: it detects issues early, reduces remedial work, and avoids unnecessary material replacement, cutting both costs and CO₂ emissions.

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Moisture problems don’t end at handover. Many develop slowly over years, becoming costly and disruptive. Long-term monitoring, up to 25 years, lets owners and project teams track gradual changes, spot trends, and plan maintenance based on evidence, not guesswork.

Prefabricated straw pannels and timber building, sustainable construction using tector
Tector moisture detection system consisting of sensors and application with intelligent alert system

Reduce damage, costs and emissions over the lifecycle

Continuous monitoring, real-time data, and a multi-layered alert system provide reliable insights from construction through operation.

Traceability is key for accountability, without it, disputes can arise, risking delays, cost overruns, and reputational damage.

See how it works

Build sustainably with confidence

Tector helps you to manage moisture risk, prove performance, and strengthen compliance.

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