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When building a structure, the suitable materials make all the difference. Like the straw house that fell apart against the big bad wolf, the wrong choice of materials will have your structure tumbling down before it’s finished.
Modern construction professionals have access to cutting-edge materials that help them build more substantial structures that can withstand various weather elements for years.
Let’s explore the various building materials for your next construction project.
Building Materials for Your Next Construction Project: Top Things You’ll Need
Stone
Stone is one of the most sustainable building materials. It has a low embodied energy, which is the total energy required to make and transport the material to its final installation site. This includes the energy used to mine and quarry the stone, transport it to the manufacturing plant, slabbing and fabrication, transporting the finished product to the building site, and installation. It also has a high compressive strength, meaning it can easily withstand the forces put on it by buildings and vehicles.
It requires almost no maintenance and doesn’t release VOCs. It is also durable and can be repurposed for years, making it an excellent choice for green renovation projects. It also connects to our natural environment and history and gives people a sense of place.
Many rock types are suitable for building, including basalt, marble, limestone, sandstone, quartzite, slate, travertine, and granite. The key is to choose durable stones resistant to the elements and free of defects like soft spots or fissures. Selecting a stone is also good for the planet, reducing waste and using fewer resources. Our ancestors built some of the world’s most stunning structures with stone, including the pyramids in Egypt and Mayan temples. The ancients placed their stones tightly fitted together and stacked atop each other, a method that can be replicated for modern construction.
Cob
Cob is a mixture of clay-based subsoil, sand, and straw. It’s mixed by walking/ stomping on it or using a machine like a digger. It’s then put onto a foundation and left to dry before being built upon. Cob is an excellent, load-bearing material and can be used for both single- or two-story buildings. It can be made to any shape and incorporate doors, windows, and other features embedded in the wall or cut out once thoroughly dried.
Cob also can retain heat from the sun’s rays during the day and release it at night, so you’ll need to use less electricity in your build. That’s especially useful for those living in cold climates or who want to take advantage of passive solar.
A downside to Cob is that it’s challenging to work with if you don’t have experience working with it. That’s why it’s best to find an architect with expertise using natural building materials who can guide you in your build. It’s only sometimes possible to do so, so educate yourself on how to work with Cob and other natural building materials before attempting your construction.
Wood
Wood is a popular construction material, especially in high-rise buildings. Wood is solid and can hold much weight, making it ideal for load-bearing structures like columns and trusses. It also helps keep facilities warm since its low thermal conductivity allows warm air to remain inside and cold air out.
Using wood and other materials purchased with a Home Depot promo code also allows for fast building times, as wooden elements can be pre-assembled in production plants and brought to a construction site ready to be assembled. This significantly improves over traditional building materials like concrete, which require long curing. This also reduces the need for construction site workers, saving money and time.
It is also a renewable and sustainable material, provided it is sourced from a company that uses sustainable forestry practices. This makes it a good choice for green construction. It also has a lower carbon footprint than other building materials, such as steel and concrete.
Finally, it is an attractive construction material that gives buildings a cozy and rustic feel. It is available in many species, giving builders many aesthetic options for their projects. It is also an insulator, reducing noise levels by absorbing sound rather than reflecting it. It has some limitations, such as its susceptibility to rot and mildew, but these can be overcome with proper protection.
Rock
Since humans began building, they have relied on rocks to make sturdy and durable structures. Even in modern times, rocks’ strength, durability, and beauty are still unmatched. Whether you’re looking to build a small garden or a massive skyscraper, stone can be used in many ways to achieve your goals.
Rocks are used as building materials, aggregate for concrete, and decorative elements. They are also crucial for providing traction and stability in construction projects like roads and driveways. In addition, they can also provide erosion control, drainage, and soil stabilization.
Numerous rock types can be used for construction, including sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. High-compressive stones like granite and basalt, such as dams and bridge piers, are commonly used for more extensive construction. For smaller projects like wall cladding and flooring, sedimentary rocks like marble and slate are ideal. Quartzite, gneiss, and travertine are good choices for durable and beautiful cladding.
Rock can be used directly without any treatment or ground up to create other building materials, such as concrete, sand, gravel, and clay. Clay is a natural material that contains silicon dioxide and aluminum oxides. It can be mixed with other elements to create brick, stoneware, and ceramic tiles. It can also be heated to high temperatures to make glass.
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