5 of the Most Commonly Used Construction Materials
With construction wages up 7%, there’s never been a better time to join this booming industry. But you might be wondering what types of materials construction workers use. While there’s plenty of variety, a few materials emerge above the rest.
Read on to learn about 5 of the most commonly used construction materials!
You’ll Always Find Wood
When it comes to materials for construction, you can’t avoid seeing wood at the site of a new home or building. You’ll generally find pieces of wood cut to standardized dimensions to make configuring a structure easier.
Wood can be used to frame up a new house due to its high tensile strength and lightweight nature. Workers will use pressure-treated wood, too, since wood can warp when exposed to moisture.
Concrete Is a Staple
Concrete is made up of gravel, cement, and other binding agents used in differing proportions, depending on the mix. You’ll see it at construction sites — especially as the base material for a foundation.
Concrete’s appeal rests in its ability to fit any mold and its cost-effectiveness. You may see concrete used in conjunction with rebar or other support materials to increase its tensile strength.
Construction Materials Include Stainless Steel
Steel, which contains carbon and iron, offers a strong support element that can be used to create tall buildings or factories. You’ll find steel gas lines, roofs, and fixtures, too.
Stainless steel offers the advantage of being resistant to corrosion. And because of this, stainless steel fabrication offers a flexible way to make the most of this durable material. Fabricators will take raw steel and shape, weld, or cut it into just about anything!
Look for Bricks
If you’ve heard the phrase bricks and mortar, it goes to show how enduring this form of construction is. Whether assembling a wall or edging a garden, construction workers will use masonry bricks. And when constructing a wall or building, they’ll use mortar as the binding agent to hold everything together.
Bricks offer a sturdy aesthetic for a new building or home. Indeed, brick-and-mortar walls can withstand heat and tolerate a lot of weight. The longevity of a brick-and-mortar wall often hinges on the skillfulness of the person assembling it and the quality of the brick.
Stone Has Been Around for Centuries
Stone is one of the more enduring materials, as it has been in use for thousands of years. Anything from Stonehenge to cathedrals took root in pieces of stone moved into place or chiseled to perfection. And stone still finds its way into modern spaces, from basalt walls to marble floors.
You can expect to see hard stones, like granite or slate, used in kitchen renovations. These stones make excellent countertops — and they can look beautiful. Or you might see limestone or sandstone used on exteriors of buildings.
Know About the Common Construction Materials
Knowing about construction materials can help you know what look you want for your next building project. You’ll always find wooden beams or concrete support structures on a construction site. But you’ll also see creative uses of stone, brick, and stainless steel.
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