10 Types of Building Materials: Uses, Properties and Water Impact

Written By Adam Paul - Waterproofing Expert

Building materials are substances, components or products which are used to construct a building structure. Building materials have different types of properties. The most important properties of the building materials are strength, durability, types, quality, sustainability, aesthetic appeal, flexibility and resistance to water, higher temperature, and chemicals. These properties cause different characteristics of the building material. Below are the most used 10 types of building materials.

10 Types of building materials.

Concrete
Cement
Aggregate
Steel
Brick
Tile
Wood
Plywood
Drywall Panels
Roof Shingles

The building materials can be damaged by external forces, thermal expansions and contractions, and exposure to water and chemicals. In order to prevent these damages these building materials should be waterproof using a waterproofing membrane.

1. Concrete

Concrete is a composite building material made from cement, water, and aggregates. Concrete is a semi-solid mixture and when it hardens forms a strong, stone-like substance.

The main concrete types are Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), High-Strength Concrete, High-Performance Concrete, Lightweight Concrete, Reinforced Concrete, and Pre-stressed Concrete. Concrete typically has a strength range from 15 MPa (2170 psi) for general applications to over 100 MPa (14503 psi) for specialised uses.

Concrete is used for various construction purposes, such as foundations, structural elements like beams and columns, pavements, roadways, architectural features, and retaining walls. A concrete structure can last long more than 50 years.

The quality of the concrete can be detected by the slump test, compressive strength test, visual inspection, rebound hammer test, and ultrasonic pulse velocity test.

Concrete can be damaged by heat when it is prolonged exposure to sunlight. Concrete is a porous material and it tend to seep water through the concrete structure. As a result of this reinforcement can be corroded and material can be deteriorated over time. In order to prevent these concrete waterproofing methods should be applied on the substrate.

2. Cement

Cement is a finely ground powder made from calcined limestone and clay or shale. Cement forms a paste when mixed with water and then it turns into a solid mass. Cement acts as a binding agent in concrete, mortar, and plaster.

The main types of cement are Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Rapid Hardening Cement, Sulfate-Resistant Cement, White Cement, and Pozzolanic Cement. The compressive strength of cement range of 25 MPa (3600 psi) to over 60 MPa (8700 psi).

Cement is mainly used in making concrete, mortar, and grout for applications such as foundations, structural elements, pavements, and masonry. The quality of the cement can be detected by the fineness test, soundness test, setting time test, compressive strength test, and chemical composition analysis.

Cement is a porous material and it tends to leak water. Hence water can seep through the concrete structure. Some additives are mixed with cement to reduce the water seepage through the layer. Too much water reduces concrete workability, and strength while increasing curing time. To prevent this cement should be mixed with aggregate and water in proper proportion.

3. Aggregate

Aggregates are granular materials such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, or recycled concrete used as key components in the concrete mixture. Aggregates provide bulk, stability, and strength to construction mixes.

3 Types of aggregates are coarse aggregates (such as gravel and crushed stone), fine aggregates (such as sand), and recycled aggregates (such as crushed concrete). The aggregate size ranges from 5 mm to 40 mm (0.2 to 1.5 inches) in diameter for coarse aggregates.

Aggregates are used in concrete for foundations, pavements, structural elements, and other construction applications. The quality of the aggregates can be detected by the sieve analysis, specific gravity and absorption tests, water absorption tests, abrasion tests, and flakiness and elongation tests.

Aggregates can be damaged by physical actions, mixture absorption, chemical reactions, and higher temperatures. In order to prevent these damages aggregate mixture should be covered with a protective layer such as a waterproofing membrane.

4. Steel

Steel is a versatile and strong material made primarily from iron and a small percentage of carbon. Steel is widely used in construction due to its high tensile strength, flexibility, and durability.

The most used steel types in construction are carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and high-strength low-alloy steel. The tensile strength of steel grades ranges from 250 MPa (36,000 psi) to 690 MPa (100,000 psi). Steel is highly resistant to tension. Hence tensile strength is always greater than the compression strength of steel.

Steel is used in construction for structural frameworks, reinforcements in concrete, bridges, high-rise buildings, and various components like beams, columns, and reinforcement bars (rebar).

The quality of the steel can be detected by the steel involve visual inspection, tensile strength testing, impact testing, chemical composition analysis, and non-destructive testing methods such as ultrasonic inspection. Steel can be corroded when it is exposed to water and moisture. In order to prevent steel corrosion protective layer should be applied.

5. Brick

Brick is a traditional building material made from clay and fired between 800°C to 1200°C. Bricks are different in size and shape according to the region. However, the most used size is 225mm x 112.5mm x 75mm (length x depth x height). Brick has a higher aesthetic appeal with thermal insulation and higher durability.

The most used brick types are clay bricks, concrete bricks, fly ash bricks, and sand-lime bricks. The compressive strength of bricks generally ranges from 7 MPa (1000 psi) to 10 MPa (1450 psi). The strength of the brick depends on the clay and burning time.

Bricks are used in construction for walls, pavements, façades, and as a structural element in various types of buildings. They are valued for their strength, insulating properties, and ability to create aesthetically pleasing patterns and finishes.

The quality of the bricks can be detected by the colour of the bricks, compressive strength tests, and water absorption tests. Bricks are highly porous materials. It seeps water in a higher rate when it is saturated with the water. In order to prevent this sealants are applied on the brick surface to protect from water.

6. Tile

Tile is a durable building material typically made from white clay, talc, sand, feldspar, dolomite and calcite. Tiles are used to cover surfaces such as floors, walls, and countertops. Tile is a finishing material. It has a higher aesthetic appeal, easy to maintain and resistant to water.

The most used tile types are ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, natural stone tiles (e.g., granite, marble, slate), and vinyl tiles.

Tile is a brittle material and it absorbs 0.5% of water. Tiles provide a durable, easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to moisture, stains, and wear. Hence tiles are mostly used for higher water consumption areas such as bathrooms and kitchens as flooring, wall cladding, backsplashes, and countertops.

The quality of the tile is measured by the tile thickness, layer thickness, water absorption test, breaking strength test, thermal shock resistance test, and moisture expansion test. Although tile is water resistant, tile floors can seep the water due to tile grouts. Tile can be damaged by mold growth, and stain marks when it is exposed to water and moisture over time.

7. Wood

Wood is a natural construction material derived from trees. Wood is versatile, strong and has a higher aesthetic appeal. Hence wood is used in various construction purposes.

Woods are mainly of 4 types: softwoods (pine, cedar), hardwoods (oak, maple), engineered wood products (plywood, OSB), and reclaimed wood. The strength of wood varies from 40 MPa (5800 psi) to over 80 MPa (11600 psi).

Wood is widely used for various structural and decorative applications in building constructions. Wood is used in construction for structural framing, flooring, cabinetry, furniture, and decorative elements.

The quality of the wood was detected by the inspection for defects, moisture content measurement, density and hardness tests, grain pattern evaluation, and structural integrity assessments.

Wood is a natural resource and it can be damaged by the insects such as pests and mites. As well as wood can be damaged by the water when it is exposed to water and moisture. Wood can be warped, rot, and swell when it is prolonged exposure to water and moisture. In order to prevent this wood should be sealed and stained properly.

8. Plywood

Plywood is an engineered wood product made from layers of thin veneer sheets glued together with the grain of adjacent layers oriented perpendicular to each other. Plywood is an option for natural wood with the same properties and characteristics.

Types of plywood are softwood plywood, hardwood plywood, marine plywood, and exterior plywood. The strength of plywood varies with the grade and type, but it generally provides high shear and tensile strength, making it suitable for structural applications.

Plywood is used in construction for flooring, wall sheathing, roof decking, cabinetry, and furniture. Its layered construction provides excellent strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to warping and cracking.

The quality of the plywood can be detected from the visual inspection for defects, checking the number of plies and veneer quality, measuring bond strength, conducting moisture content tests, and assessing the structural integrity through load-bearing tests.

Plywood can be damaged by the higher temperature, water and moisture. When the plywood is exposed to water and moisture it can swell and delaminate. Prolonged water exposure cause to mold and fungal growth, rotting, and warping the materials.

9. Drywall Panels

Drywall panels, also known as gypsum board or sheetrock, are construction materials used for creating interior walls and ceilings in the building.

4 Types of drywall panels are regular drywall, moisture-resistant drywall, fire-resistant drywall, and soundproof drywall. Drywall panels consist of a layer of gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of paper or fibreglass matting. Hence drywall panels offer a smooth surface that is easy to paint and finish..

Drywall panels are used in construction to create partitions, ceilings, and wall surfaces in residential and commercial buildings.

The quality of the drywall can be detected by visual inspection for surface defects, checking for uniform thickness, assessing edge integrity, conducting moisture resistance tests, and evaluating the fire-resistance rating.

When a drywall panel is exposed to water it can sag, warp and be prone to mold growth over time. To prevent these water damages you should use moisture-resistant drywall panels or install a waterproof membrane on the surface.

10. Roof Shingles

Roof shingles are overlapping elements used to cover and protect the roof of a building. Roof shingle are made from asphalt, metal and composite materials. Roof shingles are waterproof and they provide a waterproof barrier and increase the aesthetic appeal of the roof.

The most used shingle types are asphalt shingles, wood shingles, metal shingles, and slate shingles. The durability of roof shingles is between 15 to 30 years, while metal and slate shingles can last 50 years or more.

Roof shingles are used to cover roofs, providing protection against rain, wind, and UV radiation. They also contribute to the roof’s overall appearance and can influence energy efficiency through insulation properties.

The quality of the roof shingle can be determined by visual inspection for damage or defects, checking for proper granule adhesion, assessing the integrity of the sealant, conducting flexibility and impact resistance tests, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Roof shingles can be damaged by algae growth and damp conditions due to prolonged water exposure.