Everyone knows the story of the three little pigs, one built out of straw, another with sticks and lastly with bricks. And although this story may seem a little silly initially, it holds a powerful premise behind it. It showcases the importance of hard work and choosing the right building material for your structures.
While it is unlikely that a big bad wolf is going to come and blow all your hard work down, it stands true that certain building materials are better suited for your project than others. Modern-day materials tend to include wood, concrete and steel; however, each material has its strengths and weaknesses that must be known about.
In this article, we’ll detail the strengths and weaknesses and how you can take an evaluative outlook on your structure’s design.
Wood
Humans have used wood for thousands of years to build anything and almost everything. Despite massive technological advancements, it remains one of the best and most popular choices for building projects.
Its popularity mainly stems from its relative affordability, and it is also fairly lightweight and can be easily modified and worked with. To top it off, it also doubles as a good source of insulating, keeping the warm air in and the cold air out.
A common misconception is that using wood is bad for the environment; however, wood can be an eco-conscious choice if bought from a reliable supplier like MGM Timber, committed to sustainable forestry. Wood also has a lower carbon footprint than other building materials, using less water and energy to produce.
Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for wood; however, it sometimes suffers in quality. It isn’t always an ideal material for holding lots of weight, i.e., structures with multi-stories. And unlike other materials, after around 100 years, the wood begins to decay. It is also a lot more likely to catch fire, receive moisture damage and even fall prey to termites.
Steel
Coming in next, we have steel. Steel is a popular building material for large, multi-story industrial and manufacturing facilities, and it is reputable for being very strong but not overly heavy. Unlike wood, steel can withstand moisture and is not susceptible to termites or fires, making it much more reliable. And, of course, it will last a lot longer.
Steel can also accommodate wide, open space designs whilst keeping its structural function. It is also quite flexible, giving designers more freedom to explore unique building shapes. As steel is completely manufactured, it means it is completely reliable and provides consistent results.
With great positives also lie negatives. Using steel to frame a building will be substantially more expensive than wood, so there may be a good amount of budget monitoring and limiting expenses.
So, while steel is a lot more attractive to use than wood, it will be more costly.
Concrete
Concrete is a combination of cement, sand or stone, and water. The mixture is then poured into dry and hardening forms, allowing you to form anything such as walls, beams, or sidewalks.
It is both strong and durable, making it a great option for building foundations and can certainly handle the weight of most structures thrown at it. It can also stand up to the harsh soils that surround it. Concrete provides a low-maintenance finish that can last a long time but, as a result, poses a variety of environmental threats. Steel bars can be added to help reinforce the concrete too.
Using concrete for homes can also be energy efficient, as it can transfer heat during the day and release it at night when you need it.
Concrete, however, requires specific skill sets as opposed to wood and steel, meaning that you will want to work with reliable and trusted individuals who do the job efficiently.
Compared to wood and steel, concrete may be the more expensive option on paper but can later provide great benefits that make your investments worthwhile. The durability and energy efficiency can come in handy later down the line, so it may make the upfront cost a little easier to swallow.
To Conclude
As touched upon, all materials have their pros and cons. Understanding the various benefits of each material will allow you to compare them to what practical use you have intended for your project. That way, you can determine what individual or combination of materials is best suited for you.
Self-taught knowledge is always a massive bonus and will ultimately help you make better-informed decisions, but as always, if you are unsure, you should consult with professionals to solidify your choice.
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