Construction materials are simply any substances that contractors use to build structures. Of course, there are several types of construction materials available, and depending on your local and national standards, you should choose a particular material based on its structural capability. You should also consider your budget and desired style. Picking the correct material for your purposes, the first time ensures that your construction project will go as planned and be finished on time. Here are some common materials that you can easily find at any construction materials company:
1. Masonry and Brick
Masonry is the art of using bricks, or rectangular-shaped blocks, made traditionally from dry clay and baked at high temperatures, and binding them together with mortar, a compound that hardens as it dries. While masonry has a high resistance to compression, bricks are still delicate and tend to crack easily. However, these days, it is just as common to find bricks that are reinforced with steel.
The main advantages of masonry are that it is both durable and resistant to fire. Its high compression strength is also an asset since it is often used to build load-bearing walls. As a matter of fact, the material, when reinforced with concrete, is able to support multi-story buildings with ease, so it is often chosen as an affordable option for creating larger structures. In addition, masonry is also commonly used for foundations, walls, and even decorative veneers.
2. Concrete
Concrete is most often used in the construction of both residential and commercial buildings, foundations, sewers, and even bridges. A very common building material, it is a composite formed from a coarse and fine aggregate that is mixed with a binder, such as water and cement. When building with concrete, you must allow at least seven days for it to properly cure and dry solidly, though it will reach its optimal strength after 4 weeks of curing. Concrete, like masonry, is often reinforced with steel. This reinforced type is found most often in construction since the strength of any resulting structure will be greatly increased over buildings made with just regular concrete.
Concrete is one of the most important building materials in existence. It’s no surprise, then, that concrete is used in almost every construction job. Its strength and durability give concrete a unique edge over other materials, making it highly favored by builders and engineers alike. Its low cost and ability to be poured into various forms also make concrete an ideal choice when planning a structure. Additionally, concrete provides a strong base that helps protect the structure from both natural disasters and wear and tear over time. Concrete is essential for any project where safety and longevity are key concerns.
3. Wood
Possibly the oldest construction material still being actively used in building, the economic, renewable, and natural resource work well in conjunction with other building materials to create strong, flexible residential and commercial buildings. In tandem with marble, aluminum, or steel, you can count on wood to create lasting structures. It is lightweight, even while maintaining high tensile strength.
Wood is most often utilized to build ceilings, floors, walls, and window and door frames, and is usually used to construct the frames of bridges and buildings alike. It is also chosen because of its ability to insulate and soundproof buildings.
In conclusion, these construction materials are all perfect for the various projects that you may have undertaken recently, either as a contractor, or a layperson. And, after reading the list above, you should have a better idea of which material is best for your needs.
