When it comes to home design, natural materials are on-trend and durable. However, it’s important to understand the less obvious ramifications of choosing specific materials to ensure you select the best one for your needs.
For instance, plastic is made from natural resources (oil and cellulose) but can also be synthetically produced in laboratories. This means that it is not biodegradable and can cause environmental damage if it isn’t properly recycled.
Wood
While wood has long been a popular building material, some have moved away from it in favor of engineered products or metals. However, there are still many reasons to choose wood as your preferred building material.
Among the most important reasons to use wood is its durability. This term often connotes strength, but it can also describe a resistance to rot and other natural elements. Natural fungi and microbes, as well as certain finishes and coatings, can help protect wood from the exposures that cause it to rot. Certain species of trees, such as bald cypress and some cedars, are naturally resistant to decay as well.
Most of the issues that plague wood can be traced back to moisture. Wood is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs and loses water in response to relative humidity changes. When wood absorbs too much water, it swells; when it loses moisture, it shrinks.
These movements of wood are what causes warp, cracks and other problems. Wood is also a food source for some insects and fungi, which can eat away at the structure of your home or other buildings. Other biological deterioration factors include the weather, sun and other environmental influences. However, if your wood is protected by proper maintenance and coatings, it will last for years or even centuries in most environments.
Stone
Stone is an impressive, durable building material that has been used by civilizations since the early days. Unlike brick, it’s capable of supporting large vertical loads without deforming and can withstand the elements and fire. However, it can be challenging to quarry and heavy to move.
It’s important to consider the performance attributes of any material that’s chosen for a project. How will the material hold up to different environments, conditions and uses? It’s also crucial to consider a material’s embodied energy, which is its overall environmental impact over time.
Natural stones like sandstone, granite and marble have shown their durability over time and are an excellent choice for exterior paving. They are ideal for a variety of climates, with many performing well in freeze/thaw conditions. Their low embodied energy is an advantage when pursuing sustainability goals.
Manmade stone is a common and popular option that offers a similar look to natural materials but is much easier to install. Manufactured stone is made of concrete that’s molded into molds to look like natural stone. It is less expensive than natural materials and doesn’t require footings or fasteners to be installed.
Whether you’re using limestone walls to separate spaces with rustic charm or granite columns to define grand formal entrances, natural stone can punctuate your design with elegance. Choosing natural stone is an excellent way to support sustainable construction while bringing beauty and character to any space.
Concrete
The most common man-made building material in the world is concrete. It is a mix of large and small aggregates (rock, gravel or sand), cement and water that hardens and sets over time. The primary binder in concrete is calcium silicate hydrate, which allows it to withstand high temperatures (up to 910 degrees Celsius) without losing its strength and efficiency. This property makes concrete highly durable and suitable for construction in areas with wildfires or other natural disasters.
In addition, concrete is also naturally fireproof. It stores heat and can withstand flames for hours, making it a good choice for buildings in wildfire-prone areas. It can also withstand abrasion, chemical action and weathering, which is another important factor when choosing materials for construction.
Researchers are also experimenting with using different types of plant or vegetable fibers in concrete to enhance its strength and durability. They are trying to find the right balance between cost, sustainability, and energy-efficiency. This is important because plant and vegetable fibers are more sustainable than steel or polymers, which can cause environmental concerns if not managed responsibly. Plant and vegetable fibers are also renewable and biodegradable, and they can help reduce the amount of waste produced by the construction industry. They also have a lower impact on the environment than synthetic materials. In the future, we may see more residential buildings made from this green and eco-friendly material.
Metals
The strength and durability of metals make them excellent choices for building construction. Steel, for example, is capable of supporting the weight of large buildings without bending or buckling. Additionally, it can withstand harsh weather conditions that would otherwise damage or destroy other types of building materials.
Metals, including iron and steel alloys, are commonly used to build everything from skyscrapers to train tracks. They are also utilised as structural components and decorative elements in buildings. Additionally, metals are often used to make coins, jewellery and surgical implants.
Alloys are created by combining different metals to produce a material that has superior properties compared to the individual metals used alone. A common alloy is steel, which is a highly durable material that offers tensile (pulling) strength and resistance to corrosion.
Some metals and metal alloys have high tensile strength and stiffness, making them ideal for use in shear, bending and torsion applications. However, metals can weaken if exposed to heat or forces greater than their elastic limit.
Unlike natural building materials, metals do not rot or attract pests like termites and bore-beetles. They also do not develop mold, mildew or other fungi growth that can contaminate a structure and require costly repairs. Additionally, they are a good conductor of electricity and heat. This makes them an excellent choice for the modern energy-efficient buildings that many people prefer to live in.