Are you taking on a home remodeling project by yourself? This type of big job will require you to purchase a variety of building materials and supplies in Seattle. Different types of jobs require a reliance on different types of materials.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common types of building materials used in construction, particularly in residential remodeling projects:
- Wood: Wood, obviously, is one of the most common building materials used in the world of construction, and is extremely versatile. You’ll find it used for building pretty much any type of structure in any type of climate. It is very flexible under loads, allowing it to maintain its strength even while bending, and is extremely strong when vertically compressed. Mass-produced dimensional lumber is frequently used for framing and load bearing, but wood can also be used for finishing for floors, cabinetry and some aesthetically-pleasing design elements.
- Concrete: Concrete is a composite material that features a combination of aggregate and a binder (often cement). Portland cement concrete is far and away the most common form of concrete. You’ll find concrete used in just about any kind of general construction. While concrete on its own has a low tensile strength, it is usually reinforced with rebar. Concrete can be used for foundational work and other structural elements, and in some cases can be used for finishing when shaped and molded with interesting designs.
- Metal: Metal is also frequently used for structural framework, especially for larger commercial buildings, but it can also be used as an external surface covering and for rooftops. Metals commonly used include titanium, steel and aluminum, and decorative elements can feature copper, brass, chrome, gold and silver.
- Brick: Brick is a type of block made out of a kiln-fired clay, shale or mud. These bricks are made in a mold, or can be commercially manufactured through a die- and wire-cutting process. Bricks were frequently used up through the 1900s because they were highly fire resistant. Today they are generally more expensive than wood, which means their usage has taken a bit of a dip, but brick construction is still extremely popular on a broad scale due to its attractiveness and durability.
- Rock: Rock structures date back to the earliest forms of human civilization. Rock and stone last essentially forever, and you’ll find them readily available. Today, stone is commonly used for floors and countertops, but can be used for other unique elements in a remodel as well.
- Glass: Obviously, glass gets a lot of use for windows and doors, but you can also create modern glass walls to cover facades of buildings. Glass can also be highly useful in other elements throughout a home.
For more information about the various types of building materials that are most common in the world of residential construction and remodeling, we encourage you to contact Stewart Lumber & Hardware Co. We stock a huge variety of building supplies in Seattle and would be happy to answer any of your questions.