5 Types Of Building Materials Commonly Used In Construction
Any material used for the purpose of construction – be it a house, commercial building, etc. – is referred to as building material. In the construction industry, depending on which part of the world the construction is taking place, some materials are more common than others. Based on their effectiveness, builders decide which of these types of building materials will be used. Cost is another factor.
To construct buildings, the local rocks, wood, sand, clay, and other naturally occurring substances have been used through the decades. Separate from these, other products in use are man-made, some being more synthetic than others. In many countries, building material manufacturing is an established industry. Typically segmented into specific specialty trades, the use of these materials can be seen in insulation, roofing, plumbing, and carpentry work.
Here, we will deal with structures and habitats. In America, the five construction materials most commonly used include the following:
- Masonry/brick
- Stone
- Wood
- Steel
- Concrete
Brick/Block/Masonry
In the past, heated and dried clay was used to make bricks. Today, concrete blocks display higher vitality and steel may be used for reinforcement. Masonry is durable and fire-resistant. In the following construction components, you’ll find masonry used:
- In flood prone areas, it’s used for gabion construction
- Masonry foundations
- Walls
- For decorating finishes, used as veneer masonry
Stone
Though stone does have its drawbacks, in the following aspects, stone is used in construction:
- For creating attractive polished finishes, stone like marble is used
- Stone may be used for external walls for damp proofing
- For railways, stone may be used as ballast
- Stone may be used in masonry works for bridge piers, dams, and walls
- In construction, stone is used as rough aggregate
Wood
In the construction industry, possibly the oldest material used is wood. It is flexible, durable, strong, cost-efficient, and naturally available. In the following areas, wood is used in construction:
- Acoustic insulation
- Thermal insulation
- In bridge and building frames
- Interior construction like window frames, door frames, etc.
- Construction of ceilings, floors, and walls
Steel
Made from alloys of carbon and iron, steel is a composite material. It’s easy to work with, lightweight, and, compared to other building materials, cheaper to ship. For the following purposes, steel is commonly used in construction:
- Utilities (underground gas, power, fuel, and water lines)
- Internal fixtures (stairs, rails, and other interior fittings)
- Roofing (used to make products such as cladding, ceilings, internal walls, purlins, etc.)
- Structural sections (to increase a structure’s tensile strength, steel is used in reinforcing bars)
Concrete
Possibly the most common construction material is concrete. In construction, concrete is commonly used for its versatility and cost. It can be found in the following applications:
- Sewers and culverts
- Bridge construction
- Both commercial and residential building construction
- Foundations
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