Over time, men have used a variety of materials to build more durable structures. Wood, concrete, stone, and steel are the basic materials that have made it possible to build most of the historic monuments and buildings. The following article will describe the four main materials that are commonly used in the construction industry.
Wood
Wood is the most versatile of all building materials. It can be used as base material, in the form of logs or mixed with other materials. It can also be used as a decorative or support element. Wood is easily customizable and has an undeniable insulating capacity. Using wood for construction has numerous benefits as it does not deteriorate when in contact with chemicals and is also waterproof. Different forms of wood include framing wood for your home’s structure, engineered woods or interior woods in the form of moldings and woodwork.
Concrete
Concrete is the most common construction material. It is easy to handle, can be formed on site, and can also be hardened to allow it to be transported. Concrete helps in sound insulation and in reducing the carbon impact. It can be used to build long-lasting walls, beams, slabs, foundations, and frames. Due to its weather resistance capabilities, it is the preferred construction material to use. Some types of concrete include lightweight concrete, heavy concrete, self-placing concrete, fiber concrete, decorative indoor and outdoor concrete, and high-performance concrete.
Stone
Stone is a durable material despite its difficulty of extraction and its heavy mass. Stone has many advantages as it can be stacked without the use of mortar. It is known to be weather and fire resistant and contributes to maintaining stable indoor temperatures. Stone buildings and houses do not require much maintenance and are a good investment in the long run. Stone can also be shaped in various models and use as a decorative material. It is more widely used by landscape designers who use it to beautify gardens, paths, and borders or to give more originality to outdoor installations.
Steel
Nowadays, steel is the material of choice when it comes to construction. Its modular properties and ease of adaptation to all types of construction appeal to all categories of customers. 100% recyclable, it is perfect for eco-friendly buildings. Steel also adapts to technological requirements and current standards. In the construction field, various types of steel are used in the building structure, roof, and foundation.
The type of materials to choose for construction will depend on accessibility, location, and the cost!
