Indeed, there are endless options for building materials that you can choose from when planning a construction project. However, each material usually has unique characteristics and qualities that make them either ideal or unsuitable for certain construction activities. Nevertheless, the following are the key building materials and their recommended uses.
This is one of the most popular building materials for residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Concrete, or its reinforced form called RCC, is used in many building tasks including the foundation whereby it is usually incorporated with steel. Concrete is also used in flooring as well as other interior and exterior structural works.
Natural stone has continued to be a material of choice for various kinds of construction projects. Stone is available in different forms including granite and marble, which are highly durable, beautiful, and resilient. Mud bricks come from dried clay and, also quite sustainable. Stone and mud bricks are mainly used on columns, walls, floors, and interior structures.
Steel and aluminum are the most commonly used metals in construction. Apart from their immense strength, those metals are also sustainable with outstanding fire resistance properties. They are mainly used in structural parts that require reinforcements like the foundation, wall columns, staircases, doors, windows, and plumbing.
Various types of wood are used in construction including teak, oak, pine and timber. Wood is stable, durable, and beautiful with great insulation properties. Woodworks in many areas such as the flooring, staircases, doors, ceilings, cabinets, garden, and interior finishes.
Despite its fragility, glass is durable, insulating, and quite luxurious. As such, it works great both indoors and outdoors. Glass is mainly used in cladding, facades, partitions, doors, windows, and lighting.
Generally, there are other building materials that you may also need when constructing a house. However, you should understand the qualities of each material and its applications to determine the most suitable building materials for your project.…
Similar to other industries, home construction remains subject to a series of changes mainly caused by innovations and technologies. While some changes also come with additional risks, they mainly aim to improve customer satisfaction. Nevertheless, the following are key innovative ideas to help you create better living spaces.
Today, most homeowners demand wiring upgrades for multiple phone lines, high-speed internet connectivity, and home entertainment systems. To easily avoid the common problems that builders often experience with such upgrades, you should install a PVC chase that runs from the basement to the top floor.
Building a home with ground-based air intakes will properly address the growing need for fresh indoor air quality, keeping your house cool in summer and warm during winter. One of the best ways to build the intake is by using a stainless steel pipe buried at six feet underground. One end of the pipe connects to the floor register as the other opens up to the yard. The intakes can be connected to each room in the house, ensuring moderate air-intake that will significantly reduce your home’s cooling and heating needs.
Builders have found an innovative and less-costly way of building concrete floors, which you should also consider for your house. The process involves using a structural pan to pour four-inch slabs for the flooring of decks, stairs, and steps then, dyeing and stamping the surfaces to create unique color patterns. The surfaces are not only attractive but, also durable and highly resistant to moisture and wear.
Established builders also recommend using building systems as a great way to avoid huge labor costs as the suppliers can deliver all the panels and materials for building the entire home at once. Building systems are both eco-friendly and cost-effective since they have very little to no construction wastes and, also require less labor. Overall, all the ideas discussed above can help you to create attractive and safe living spaces without any significant financial implications. …
The costs of energy have been on the rise in the past few years and the same trend is expected to continue. That is why energy efficiency should be a key consideration during the construction of every home. The following are useful tips on how to build an energy-efficient house.
The design of your home can either increase or cut energy consumption in the long term. One of the best ways of creating a net-zero house is by developing a smart design. Based on your objectives and budget, you can either select a smart home design from the catalogs of production homes or hire an architect to create a customized one. Smart home designs come with special energy-saving features and parameters for builders to implement at different stages of the construction.
The windows and doors have significant impacts on your home’s energy consumption since they account for the highest amounts of heat loss and retention. Installing highly insulated windows and doors will minimize heat loss during the cold months while also keeping the spaces cool in winter.
Most of the energy used in residential settings mainly goes towards heating and cooling. Today, there are several types of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems for the home that you can install to cut your energy spending without compromising the comfort therein. A good example is the mini-split heat pump.
The sun is a great source of renewable energy that you should also consider when building an energy-efficient home. With solar panels, you can easily harvest enough power for different activities in your home including lighting, heating, and cooling. Today, there are also systems that you can use to store the excesses for future use.
Overall, the process of building an energy-efficient house should begin with creating a smart home design. However, there are also multiple energy-saving features, fixtures, and devices for residential settings that you can install to conserve energy in your home. Some systems can be installed during construction while others are upgrades.
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