Different Types of Building Materials and Their Characteristics

Any material which is used in construction of residential or commercial buildings is dubbed as building material. The choice of building material depends on the size and nature of building, its design, intended purposes, availability of resources and location. Usually building materials are classified as natural and synthetic materials (where natural materials have minimal or no human intervention in the production and synthetic materials are mostly made by humans). Let's read about some of the most commonly used building materials all over the world.

Rock:

Easily, one of the most solid and durable material used in constructions, the durability is palpable by existence of several centuries old historical buildings made of stone. However, the weight and hardiness that makes the buildings hard-wearing becomes a drawback when it comes to portability and molding. In addition to that, using rock as the primary building material is a bad choice because it stores energy, leaving the inhabitants vulnerable to extreme weather conditions in summer and winters.

Mud & Clay:

Mud and clay are the most commonly used materials in residential buildings. Not as long lasting as rock but far from being fragile. Buildings made primarily of mud and clay can easily endure many years. Using mud and clay in buildings is a very good option for warm places, as it keeps the building reasonably cool even in scorching heat.

Concrete:

Concrete is made by mixing cement, sand, gravel and water, while the structures are made using steel bars. Concrete is another material known for its durability and is on a par with rock when it comes to longevity. At the same time, it is more convenient to use as far as portability and molding is concerned.

Metals & Wood:

Probably the oldest type of building materials is wood. Humans have been using tree logs and other parts of plants to build homes, for ages. Wood obtained from certain plants is quite durable, however low quality wood is open to many extremities. These days wood is mostly used for making cabinets, furniture or wardrobes. Different kinds of materials are put into use for modern structures, with steel being the most common one. Unlike rock it is flexible, while offering the similar level of durability.

Glass & Plastic:

Glass is normally used in doors and windows and occasionally in walls or roofs. Unlike other building materials, glass allows the light to go through, allowing you to make good use of daylight. Plastic is a light, flexible substance, used mostly for piping in buildings.

Resource: Ezine Article

Variety of Building Materials and Their Uses

Materials used for the construction of houses, offices and commercial buildings are classified as building materials. The most commonly use materials for construction purposes include cement, stones, rocks, tiles and bricks. Different materials are used according to specific requirements, availability of space and type of structure to be built.

Building Materials Used Before and Now

Building materials used during early years were stone, mud and other materials. Instead of concrete, mud was used to fill the gaps between bricks and stones. Construction was done using crude methods and techniques. Clay, leaves, twigs and so forth were also used by people in the olden days to build houses.

Some of the most frequently used building materials include:

Clay and mud: During the earlier days, clay and mud was the most commonly used material though it was not as strong as the concrete constructions. However, it helped to keep houses cool during summers.

Wood: Another most frequently used material is wood. Down the ages, wood has been used by people to build homes, furniture like tables, desks, chairs and so forth. Wooden homes and cabins are found in many places even today. Depending on the type of wood used, these houses are affected by varying climatic conditions.

Metal: Metals are also among the commonly used building materials. Huge mansions and offices built of metals are strong and last for a life time. Today most of the constructions are done in metal to retain its elegance and strength.

Concrete: Concrete is another material which is used for construction purposes. It is a combination of sand, cement, water and gravel. Most of the constructions are done in concrete today. It has become an indispensable part of construction process. It is long lasting and strong compared to mud and wood houses.

Granite: Being one of the hardest materials available for constructing walls, floors and kitchen accessories, this stone has been in use since ancient times. Granite countertops are among the most preferred material for kitchen countertop. Its durability and opulence are the main reasons why it is chosen by most of the people to decorate their homes.

The other advantages of this stone are that it is highly heat resistant and can be cleaned easily. It does not retain any stains and bacteria. Though it is a bit expensive, it is indeed an investment which last for a life time.

Apart from these there are many more building materials used in the modern times like non shrink grouts, multi-wall panel, steel roof drain, crushed stones, wall putty, insulation products and so forth. Brass materials 

are also used for construction purposes.

Today the business of building materials has flourished with the increase in constructions of houses, factories, industries and offices. New products are available in the online stores at affordable rates. In addition to construction materials you can even find flooring materials which are quite versatile. Marbles, tiles, granite in unimaginable sizes and designs are obtained from the online markets. By logging on to a good website, you can find materials for your new home and office.

Resource: Ezine Article, Plumbing Supplies