Choosing the right building materials depends on several factors.
Sound and good quality building materials are essential for building structures with strength, durability,
ease of service, aesthetics, etc.
This can affect project and maintenance costs significantly,
so materials should be carefully selected to achieve the objectives of the design documents and specifications.
There is also a wide range of building materials available on the market,
and since many factors must be taken into account when choosing materials,
It can be difficult to choose the best option that serves the different requirements of the building.
Factors to consider when choosing the right materials for construction
-
Power
Strength is the most important factor in selecting building materials,
and includes the ability of the material to withstand stresses such as compression, tension, and shear.
For example, there are many grades of steel with different yield strengths that contractors can choose from.
If the building does not have to support large loads,
a lower grade of steel can be used, in which case this helps reduce the cost.
2. Durability
The durability of the building materials used is important to build a long-lasting structure without significant maintenance costs.
Some materials may be more expensive than others,
but lower maintenance costs in the future will offset these higher costs.
3. Cost
The cost of building materials in most cases leads to the final decision on choosing the appropriate material.
Building material costs make up a large portion of the total cost, which is why they play a crucial role.
Ultimately, the cost of the building materials used controls the cost of the entire project.
4. Locally available materials
The availability of materials locally affects both the cost and construction schedule.
If materials are available far from the construction site,
transportation costs are high and can delay work if they are not ordered in advance.
However, if materials are available locally, transportation costs will be low,
and the construction process will continue smoothly.
5. Storage
Material handling and storage must be taken into consideration as it affects construction time, labor requirements, equipment needed for handling, and cost.
6. Climate
Climate is an important factor to consider when choosing materials.
Information about the average temperature throughout the year, rain, snow, weather,
amount of sunlight, required ventilation, and wind are areas of interest for construction workers.
Climate and the properties of building materials are also related to each other,
so the materials chosen must be compatible with the climate of the area in which the structure will be built.
7. Availability of the required skills
When choosing building materials, the decision maker must know the extent of skills required to use those materials.
If skilled labor is needed, this increases the cost of construction.
In addition, if skilled labor is not available, which often happens in remote areas, this delays construction work.
8. Sustainability
The need for sustainable development is constantly increasing due to the demand to reduce carbon emissions.
The applicable rules and standards constantly set more stringent specifications regarding carbon release.
This leads decision makers to turn towards sustainable materials such as fly ash, granulated blast furnace slag, silica fumes,
Which is used to reduce cement use and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
9. Recycling
The ability of materials to be recycled at the end of their life plays an important role when selecting them.
For example, designers and developers should choose bolted steel connections instead of welded steel connections.
The former may require more effort and precision to implement, but is completely recyclable.
However, the latter is hardly recyclable without releasing more carbon into the atmosphere.
10. The function of the building
The function of a building can control the choice of building materials because it directly affects its occupants.
The specific material also determines the space being built.
If the type of structure is load-bearing, you should choose high-quality building bricks as they are the main element that carries the load.
11. Aesthetic appearance
The type of material controls the appearance of a building, and a certain appearance may be attractive to one person but unattractive to others.
So the owner’s request plays an important role here because he may have decided what kind of appearance the building should have.
For example, the type of material affects the appearance of the floor, so the material must be chosen to achieve the desired appearance.
Different flooring materials are also available, such as granite, marble, vitrified tiles, ceramic tiles, wood and kota stone.
The cost of the material may limit options because the most attractive flooring material may be the most expensive.
12. Maintenance
Maintenance sometimes controls the choice of materials, because high-quality materials will not only require low maintenance costs, but also maintain the aesthetic appearance of the building.
13. Specifications
Specifications are also an important criterion for material selection.
The specifications and quality of materials for a particular project are determined based on the required strength, aesthetic appearance, durability, etc.
Specifications may require a type of cement to fight chloride and carbonate attacks if the structure is constructed in tidal zones.
In this case, supplementary additives and cementitious materials may be required.
14. Warranty
Verify and correctly understand the product description, technical specifications and warranty terms and conditions; To ensure the correct selection of materials.
Sometimes, what the material selector understands or what the salesperson presents can be misleading.
15. Support and after-sales service
After-sales services and support are important factors to consider when selecting materials.
So you should check whether the seller provides support and services like regular or annual repairs, spare parts, etc.
Basic steps for choosing the right materials for construction
- Determine design requirements
- Identify candidate materials
- Evaluate the candidate materials and choose the best option
- Determine material selection criteria
The most common building materials
- Concrete
- Steel
- The wood
- Stone
- Brick
The importance of choosing the right materials for construction
Choosing the right building materials provides many benefits,
such as meeting project standards and specifications, lower maintenance cost,
optimization of construction cost, smooth project implementation, etc.
When embarking on your next projects,
it is useful to ensure that the appropriate building materials are used in terms of quality and quantity.
