Building Materials: Types and Properties

Building Materials

• Wood is an organic, hygroscopic, and anisotropic material with suitable thermal, acoustic, electrical, mechanical, aesthetic, and working properties.
• Wood is a versatile material, making it possible to build a comfortable house using only wooden products.

Concrete

• Concrete is a vital element in individual and commercial buildings.
• It binds other building materials together.
• Concrete is made by mixing aggregate, cement, small stones, sand, gravel, and water.

Masonry

• Masonry is the building of structures from individual units, laid in and bound together by mortar.
• Common materials used in masonry construction include brick, building stone, cast stone, concrete block, glass block, and adobe.
• Masonry is a highly durable form of construction.

Metal/Steel

• Metal is used in construction due to its ability to bind well to concrete and its similar thermal expansion coefficient.
• Metal is strong and relatively cost-effective.
• Reinforced concrete is used to provide deep foundations and basements.

Plastic

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a widely used plastic construction material due to its inexpensiveness and durability.
• PVC is used for pipes and fittings, flooring, window and door profiles, and roof membranes.

Glass

• Glass is used in the building industry as insulation material, structural component, external glazing material, and clading material.
• Glass is used to make delicate looking fenestrations on facades as well as conventional windows.
• Newer uses of glass include solar power glass and switchable glass projection screens.

Adhesive/Sealant

• Adhesives are non-metallic materials that join permanently to surfaces by an adhesive process.
• The use of adhesives in construction offers advantages over other binding techniques.

Water Proofing

• Water proofing is a process designed to prevent water from penetrating into a structure.
• It involves multiple layers and stages to create multiple barriers.
• A building is waterproofed by using membranes and coatings to protect contents and structural integrity.

Paint

• Paint is a liquid or mastic material that can be applied to surfaces to color, protect, and provide texture.
• Paint can be categorized as decorative or industrial.
• It is usually stored as a liquid and dries into a thin film after application.

Indigenous Materials

• Indigenous materials include various kinds of wood and bamboo used for construction, and leaves and grasses used for roofing.

Hardware/Mechanisms

• Hardware and mechanisms are products/tools used in construction and home improvement.
• They include building materials, fasteners, power tools, and other supplies.

Carpentry and Joinery

• Joinery is the method by which two or more pieces of wood are jointed together.