Building Materials

List of 15 local materials used in building construction

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Steel Bar/reinforcement

Steel Bar/reinforcement is an alloy of iron and other metals that is very strong and corrosion-resistant.

Properties – High tensile strength and elasticity.

A low thermal coefficient.

Good bond with concrete.

  Uses help concrete withstand tension forces

Concrete block

Building Block made  of 75% concrete

Properties – Thermal insulation

Absorbs sound

Fire resistant 

Compressive strength

Absorbs water 

Uses  -used to construct load-bearing walls, partitions, or panel walls 

Metal Roofs

Metal Roofs. 

Properties – long-lasting

durable

Fire resistant 

Eco Friendly because most metals are highly recyclable

weather resistance to wind and water

Uses – form the topmost component of a building structure

Wood

Wood is any plant tissue used for structural support

Properties – Thermal insulation.

 Acoustic insulation.

Structural stability.

Better fire resistance due to low thermal conductivity.

Resistance to electrical current

High Aesthetic value

hygroscopic material 

Uses – Formwork to cast concrete element

Structural element- Beams and columns for building

Flooring 

Roof and ceiling

Walls and partition 

Bridge construction 

Glass

Glass-  is a transparent mineral substance produced by melting silica sand and limestone at extremely high temperatures.

Properties– Transparency

It can be blown, drawn, or pressed 

Clear, colourless, diffused, or stained.

Recyclable

Energy efficiency and acoustic control:

Uses Windows and doors. 

Walling Roofing

Reinforcement structures

Sand

Sand- Construction material often provides bulk, strength, and stability to other materials such as concrete, mortar, plaster, and screed. Different types of sand are used for different items of construction.

Properties Texture can be smooth or rough depending on grain size

 Poor water retention properties, 

 High permeability

   Easily compressed 

Uses For plastering purposes

         For moulding blocks

         Mixed with cement to form mortar for joining block/ brickwork

         Mixed with cement and gravel to form Concrete 

Gravel

Gravel – Small fragments of rock that give volume, stability, and resistance to wear or erosion of the construction element. 

Properties Texture is rough.

                   Poor water retention properties, 

                   High permeability

                   Hard to compart  

Uses     aggregate mixed with cement to form concrete

As road base or as the road surface in road construction 

To create walkways 

For landscaping 

Used for filtration in water treatment

Cement

Cement is a mixture of two primary ingredients; limestone and clay. When mixed, they form a plastic paste, popularly used as a binder. 

Properties It has a fine texture.

                 Adhesive and cohesive 

Uses – mixed with sand and water to form a paste, used in blockwork, rendering, and plastering

          Mixed with aggregate and sand to form concrete used in concrete works

          Part of the ingredients in the block moulding

Granite Stones

  

Granite Stones. Large fragments of rock formed primarily of minerals

Properties Texture is rough

                   Poor water retention properties, 

                   High permeability

                   Hard to compart  

Uses    Construction of drainage

Used as hardcore for foundation 

To create walkways 

For landscaping 

Used for filtration in water treatment 

Masonry work

        

Bricks

  

Brick. is a material made from clay and masonry cement

Properties resistance against abrasion

High Compressive strength

Low water absorption 

Durable and long-lasting

Fireproof 

Rectangular shape

Commonly red

Efflorescence may occur to form white powdery scum

sound insulation

thermal insulation

Uses –  Construction of walls

Engineering bricks are used for structural elements

Used in the outer face of masonry as Wall Finishing 

the lining of ovens, furnaces, and chimneys

        

Metal

  

        

Metal – solid material that is generally hard, shiny, and malleable; the variety of metals used in construction are aluminium, stainless steel, iron, titanium, copper, brass, and mild steel

Properties –Durability

 High Strength

Weather resistance

Thermal conductivity

Recyclable

Uses – Windows

 Doors, 

Electrical wires 

Outdoor signage and streetlights

Handrails and balustrading

 Architectural cladding

Structural elements 

Concrete

  

Concrete.  is a composite material made up of cement and aggregate, typically sand or gravel

Properties – Compressive strength. 

Durability

Porosity and density

Fire resistance.

Thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

Impact resistance

Shrinkage 

Absorbs water 

Uses Pavements.

Structural elements like columns and beams

Foundations.

Floor slab

Roads and bridges.

Concrete walls

Culverts and Sewers

Roof 

        

Tiles

  

        

Tile- thin plates or elements made from Granite, Cement, Ceramic, Glass, Mable, or Porcelain used to cover the surface of roofs, floors, or walls.

Properties – scratch-resistant

 Stain-resistant

Prone to cracks

Non-porous

Durable 

Water & frost-resistant 

It comes in a variety of shapes and colours

Eco friendly

Fire resistant

Uses –  Floors & walls surfaces

Swimming pools

Roofing material

Tabletop and countertops

Paints

  

        

Paint – a mixture of pigments and binders generally available in a liquid state.

Properties – Liquid form

It comes in various colours

Quick-drying

Uses -Protect building exteriors and interiors from UV rays, moulds, wind, stains, and water penetration.

Interior and exterior walls’ esthetic 

Improves Windows esthetics

Protects Wood trims, flooring, doors from decay, and pest protection

Protect metal from rust

Plastic

  

        

Plastic is a synthetic compound derived from petrochemicals but is generally non-toxic.

Properties – Durable

Recyclable

Energy efficient 

Safe and easy to install

Insulation against electricity 

Available in different shapes, colours, and sizes

Moisture resistant 

Low melting point

Soundproof

Weather Resistance

high thermal expansion rates

Lightweight 

Uses Flooring

Roofing

Insulation

Walling

Pipes

Windows

Doors

Sanitary Equipment

Building materials are products used to build houses, roads, bridges, skyscrapers, etc. They may be natural, like wood, or manmade, like concrete or steel. Building materials come in various forms, including bricks, tiles, stones, concrete, and steel. These building materials are designed for specific uses and are typically made from natural or man-made sources.


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