When you’re building or remodeling your home, using durable materials that won’t wear out or need frequent repairs within the next few years should be a priority. This is a great way to protect your investment and prevent inconvenience later down the road. Finding the best building materials can seem like an overwhelming task, especially if you don’t know where to start looking or what to look for.
Luckily, there are plenty of construction materials that can help you keep your home in great shape so you won’t have to worry about repairs or replacements anytime soon. Many of these options are also great for the environmentally-conscious. Here are four of the most reliable options to consider when picking out durable building materials:
Timber
Timber is a great option for home construction because it’s durable and strong. As trees age, they grow stronger as their fibers strengthen. Additionally, timber is also easy to maintain, repair, and adapt to suit your needs. Timber also comes in a variety of colors, textures, and shapes to suit every type of room you want to build into your home.
Timber can be treated with preservatives that allow it to remain strong despite moisture exposure without having harsh effects on indoor air quality. In terms of durability, timber is perfect for exterior constructions since it can weather harsh conditions such as rain or snow without any problems at all.
Asphalt
When it comes to durable building materials for roof repair, asphalt shingles are hard to beat. Considered a soft roofing material, asphalt shingles have been popular for decades and that’s because they’re inexpensive and offer a variety of attractive styles and colors. The cost of asphalt shingles is one of their biggest selling points, as they are a more affordable material.
In most cases, asphalt roofs will last around 20 years with little maintenance necessary. In general, though, concrete is more durable than asphalt roofs – making them ideal if you live in an area where there’s heavy rain or snowfall.
Brick
Brick is one of your best bets when it comes to building materials that can stand up to outdoor elements. This material is durable, fireproof, and water-resistant, making it a smart choice for patios, pools, or walkways. Brick is also available in many colors, which means you can customize it to your unique style. It has a classic look that is always in style, so it’s a great option if you’re going for a timeless appearance.
Concrete
While you may associate concrete with unfinished basement floors, it can also be a durable, professional, and modern flooring option. If you lean toward a contemporary style, concrete could be the perfect option to complement the other sleek features of your home. Structurally speaking, concrete is also commonly used for foundations due to its long-lasting qualities. It can be difficult to find contractors who are familiar with installing it, so be sure to do your research when hiring for this project. As concrete is heavy and needs to be cured before being walked on, it’s important to find a trustworthy and experienced contractor to help with your design needs.
Structural Steel
Structural steel is not the first thing you think of when it comes to construction, but it’s a great option. It’s known to be durable and affordable as well as recyclable, which makes it a good fit for a variety of projects. They can also make more irregular shapes than other materials like typical lumber. This could make it especially useful for unique architectural structures. Even further, steel buildings tend to last 50 to 100 years, making it a great investment in the long run.
Bamboo
Another material that is less commonly taken advantage of is bamboo. Bamboo has many of the aesthetic qualities of timber, however, bamboo plants themselves grow 15 times faster than trees. They also regrow from the same roots, eliminating the need to replant after harvest. This makes it much faster and more sustainable to produce–not to mention it leaves the existing forests to filter Co2 out of the air and house wildlife uninterrupted. Bamboo is also very strong and has an amazing strength-to-weight ratio. If you need a balance between lightweight and durable, bamboo is the perfect choice.
Polycarbonate
As a glass alternative, polycarbonate plastic shines for its strength and durability. They have the desired transparency while still being extremely tough. Polycarbonate is what is typically used for bulletproof glass, which further attests to its reliability. If you are concerned about security or even harsh weather conditions, polycarbonate might be the perfect choice for your windows or other glass features. It is also UV resistant, which could make it a great choice for the roofing of a greenhouse or other similar features. Don’t overlook this option if you want a stronger alternative to glass for your project.
Final Thoughts
To ensure that you have someone you can trust working on your property, ask friends or family for recommendations. Doing your research will save you time and money in getting what should be an easy job done correctly.
Durable building materials can be hard to come by, but luckily, there are plenty out there that will stand up to the test of time. When you’re in need of building materials, don’t be fooled by low prices or cheap deals. Instead, look for these durable building materials that will make your new building survive years of wear and tear and last decades longer than it would have otherwise.