Construction of buildings involves the use of
a variety of building materials. These materials can be classified into two
types, ‘natural’ or ‘synthetic’ (man-made) materials.
Natural constructing materials such as clay, mud, and
straw are still used today in some warmer climate countries. Here in the UK,
natural materials, such as sand and stone, are widely used in a variety of ways
within the construction of buildings. For example, houses can be made of cut
quarry stone and sand is used in almost everything in the construction process,
from an additive when mixing cement to padding under patio slabs.
Synthetic materials are also commonly used. Plastic is
a good example of man-made building material. Plastic pipes and fittings have
taken over from the older metal versions in recent years; UPVC instead of wood
is another great example when it comes to window frames. Below are a few more
common natural and synthetic building materials but how many more can you think
of?
Bricks
Bricks are one of the oldest types of natural building
materials. This is not surprising when considering their advantages; they are
weather resistant, fireproof and even pest proof. They are made by grinding
down shale, a lightweight rock that splits easily into thin layers, then
compacting the residue to form the bricks.
Wood
Wood is another long-standing natural material used in
construction. Carpenters have been around for centuries crafting elaborate
carvings from wood, which were then used as features and motifs to enhance
the beauty of a structure. Wood is almost as common as a brick in the
construction of homes, although, these days wood is used more as an internal
feature (staircase, skirting, etc…) than externally. With modern buildings,
glass and metal appear to have replaced the use of wood.
Concrete
Concrete is a man-made building material, although
created by the mixing of natural materials. You could say concrete (like glass)
is a bit of a hybrid when categorizing in this way. It is widely used in
everyday construction, especially when extra strength and durability is
required, for example, concrete frames are used when building car parks or
shopping centers. Here the use of steel rods within the cement, in particular, ‘piling’ underneath the structure is common practice.
Rock and Granite
Rock and Granite are quarried from the ground and cut
into a usable size. It is used both as an internal (e.g. granite worktops) and
external (e.g. patio slabs) building material. It is one of the strongest and
most hard-wearing materials to use. However, it is very expensive so its use is
more limited than alternative more cost-effective materials.
Plastic or Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the world’s
third most widely produced synthetic plastic. It comes in two basic forms,
rigid and flexible; making it the most common type of construction
material used for fixtures and fittings, in the form of pipes, guttering, and
window frames, etc... Plastic is durable, rustproof and (to a certain degree)
heat resistant so an ideal modern alternative to metal fittings.
Glass
Glass is used as often as bricks in the construction
of buildings, some buildings appear more glass than brick these days, the Shard
in London is a great example of this. It goes without saying; glass is a very
versatile product. It is widely used as a general building material and
different forms of glass are used to enhance the appearance of homes and office
spaces, both internal and externally. Glass bricks, a more recent invention
than regular bricks, are used for just this decorative purpose. Glass, although
another of man’s creations is a mix of refined natural products which have
been mixed together, heated and then molded (when hot and pliable) to create a
clear or opaque material.
Metal
Different types of metals such as iron, aluminum, and
steel are used as construction materials. Coated or polished metals are used as
decorative additions to buildings.
Straw
Although commonly used in the past as a roof thatching
material it is less common to see these days. This is because it has a shelf
life and, unlike slate roof tiles, needs replacing more often over time. An
additional benefit of thatching is that it also functions as insulation,
therefore, keeping the home warm.
In every instance, it is essential to use good quality
materials to ensure strength, safety, and durability of a structure. It is also
important to hire the services of a professional builder and engineer to assist
you with purchasing the right building materials for your needs, their advice
and expertise will be invaluable, and safeguard you against structural issues
with your build at a later date.
Contact
Bishop Ltd – Builders and Developers - for all your building needs!
We are a leading bespoke
commercial and residential construction company. Our services include a
completely managed construction process, spanning the Pre- Construction,
Construction and Post-Construction phases of your project. Our main services
include Architecture and Construction, Project Feasibility, Cost Analysis, and
Project Management. We have offices in Loughton Essex and Aylesford Kent and
operate across Essex and Kent.
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