The pace of construction and renovation of buildings is increasing every year. This encourages the search and introduction of new materials and technologies to improve the comfort of housing. An important problem is also the need to ensure the energy efficiency of buildings. A peculiarity of the Russian natural conditions is a significant daily and annual difference in atmospheric temperatures. The use of various thermal insulation materials in the construction process will significantly reduce the cost of maintaining buildings and provide comfortable conditions for people, regardless of natural events. In addition, the use of certain facade treatments solves the aesthetic problem and can protect against precipitation and industrial emissions. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find additional possibilities for thermal insulation of buildings using non-traditional technologies and materials. Modern approaches to the aesthetics of buildings involve the use of expensive mineral thermal insulation materials. Reducing the cost of their manufacture is possible through the use of industrial waste. Wastes from non-ferrous metallurgy are suitable for the production of slag wool or for the production of slag glass-ceramics. A wide range of possibilities allows the use of various wastes in the manufacture of bricks to increase porosity, strength and frost resistance. The use of a number of additives also provides an increase in economic efficiency and environmental friendliness of production. The use of special coatings for gypsum finishing materials could increase their strength and water resistance. The quality of facade paints is significantly increased when using aluminum silicate liquid sodium glass. Fine-dispersed waste of metallurgical enterprises will allow to lower the cost of production of liquid glass and aluminosilicate glue. The use, obtained from waste, astringent, provides for the production of heat-insulating materials the production of bright colors without the use of pigments. High strength and water resistance of materials can ensure the use of magnesian waste. Keywords: thermal insulation, energy efficiency, industrial waste, building materials, finishing materials, paints.