Construction is one of the biggest industries in the world and for good reason. Everyone needs somewhere to live, somewhere to work, and somewhere to enjoy themselves! Where do you go to do those things? Almost always in some form of building that has been designed and built by experts in the construction industry.

But, the work doesn’t stop there. When buildings are put together, it’s important to consider how durable and easy to maintain the chosen construction materials are. If the wrong materials are used, the building can sink, subside, or simply decay. So, let’s take a look at modern construction and why certain materials are used.

How Construction Has Changed

Over the past few centuries, construction has changed massively. New materials have been developed and used in all kinds of construction from residential to commercial. Each innovation has been created to try and boost each building’s durability, make it cheaper, and make it easier to maintain.

It wasn’t so long ago that all buildings were made from stone. Ancient stone buildings still stand today, though many have fallen into disrepair and that is down to the methods and materials used. These days, modern buildings are designed to last centuries without very much work at all. 

Metals

One of the most commonly used materials these days is metal. Metal has become more and more popular for myriad reasons. As the metal building specialists from www.metal-buildings.org explain, “The elements do not affect metal buildings and painting is a thing of the past.” Metal is one of the most durable materials on the planet, meaning that buildings with metal frames and components last a long time.

Plus, as mentioned above, metal is super easy to look after. It requires very little treatment or effort to protect it from the elements. With some metals, there is no upkeep involved at all. This means that a metal building is far easier to maintain than many other buildings using other construction materials. 

With metals, you do not need to worry about keeping the material dry. You also don’t need to worry about wind, paint, dirt, or anything else. These materials will not decay. This is why metal is used to frame and support most skyscrapers and many other modern buildings. 

Concrete

Concrete is widely used in foundations and building frames all around the world. Once again, there is a good reason for this choice. It is one of the most durable materials in the entire world. 

Now, unlike metal, concrete will decay quicker when exposed to bad weather. It is, after all, a wet mixed material that sets hard. However, concrete is super easy to treat and weatherproof. Plus, if any cracks or deterioration occur, it’s very easy to replenish, replace, or treat. This is why concrete is chosen by construction companies all over the world and has been for years.

Wood

Wood – yes, wood – has a lot going for it in terms of ease of use and maintenance. You may assume that wood is a softer material than the above, which may well be true. However, this doesn’t make it hard to maintain as a construction material.

Woods do need more treatment than metals, but the process is not painful or hard. When wooden frames are used for the interior framework of buildings, they will be treated so that they are heat, damp, and water-resistant. This means that the frame won’t need to be looked after again for decades.

When it comes to the exterior, wood needs a little more care. It will need to be weatherproofed with varnish and sealant. This treatment should last a very long time. If there are any extreme weather conditions to contend with, it may be worth re-treating the wood yearly. 

Brick

Finally, a classic material that you see around you every single day, is the humble brick. Brick constructions last decades with absolutely no treatment whatsoever. Bricks can withstand dirt, dust, rain, and wind with no trouble at all.

This makes brick the chosen material for simple construction all around the world. Over many decades, your bricks and the cement between them can succumb to extreme weather, but it only takes one skilled builder to repoint and re-set your bricks. Then, they will be weatherproof for decades once more. 

There are, then, a variety of suitable construction materials, each with their durability and maintenance pros and cons. Depending on the type of building and construction method, any of the above materials can last decades with very little care. Metals are outstanding materials, but there are plenty of good things to be said for the others too.