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In this article, we will present you some details on how you can calculate construction materials. You will like all the information we have gathered.

The construction materials of a house are calculated based on the dimensions of each element of the construction, such as:

1. The structures of the house.
2. Walls or columns.
3. covers.
4. Sanitary and electrical installations,
5. Coatings and plastering.
6. The specifications of the
7. architect
8. Engineers who have worked on the project are essential to determine the type of material, its resistance, dimensions and components, and even
9. How many bricks in m².

Calculation of construction materials for the reinforced concrete structure

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The structures of the house are made up of a series of elements, which in this case we will describe, as an example of its calculation: reinforced concrete, columns, solid slab, joists, vaults and others. 

These parts of the reinforced concrete structure are made up of materials such as concrete from which its resistance will be obtained, given by the engineer. For example, a resistance of 200 kg per square cm, this determines the type and quality of cement, sand and stone that the concrete mix contains; likewise, for each element of the structure there will be information on the type of steel rod, its diameter and quantities. 

These reinforced concrete structures and their design are found in the structural plans of each one of the projects and their calculations and specifications in the calculation sheets attached to the project. 

Vault slabs specify the vault blocks and the amount and type of welded mesh needed to cover the slab.

Calculation of materials for the iron structure

The same thing that we explained to you in advance occurs in iron or wood structures. All constructions with these materials as raw materials will have their calculations and specifications.

In short, it all depends on the material chosen for the construction of the house in question.

Calculation of materials for wooden structure

To calculate the materials in wooden structures, it is important to specify the type of wood and its characteristics, as well as the dimensions of each part.

1. For floors and ceilings, lumber is counted according to the areas to be covered and then cubed according to lumber thickness specifications.
2. In roofing, wood is commonly used in the covering of structures, also made of wood, which are covered with tiles after waterproofing.
3. In floors, a wooden structure must be made that is installed, on a concrete floor base, to which this structure is fixed and on it the wooden planks of the floor are fixed. Everything has to be accounted for separately, with your specifications to give the final amounts of the apartment.

Calculation of materials for the walls

In the walls, it must be defined if the wall is going to be built with concrete blocks, exposed pottery bricks or worked stone. Depending on the type of construction material, this has the specification of the dimensions of the material and the type of mixture to join them in the construction of the wall.

In these cases, to calculate the construction material, the design or the way to lock these elements must be specified in order to define the quantities per square meter that is needed for each one. Also, if the material is going to be visible or not, this detail modifies the quality of the material, since it will not be able to have imperfections, which would later be hidden with the jarres that cover them.

It is very important to calculate well the construction materials.

Calculating how many clay bricks are needed to build a wall

Depending on the dimensions of the elements for a wall, whether it is pottery or cement brick, this determines the quantity per square meter of the material, taking into account the width of the wall, if the rows are double or single

Pottery bricks have different designs:

the hollow brick

It does not support loads but the weight of the same material, the holes in its design make it lighter. 

solid brick

It resists loads, with a great finish that can be used on walls with the apparent material, the dimensions of each one are exact.

the perforated brick

It has about 10% perforations in its shape, this allows the cement to penetrate when a wall or wall is being built and gives it greater resistance.

You must calculate the mortar or mixture with which the bricks are going to be glued, and calculate the amounts of cement, sand and lime that you will have, depending on the design you choose.

Calculation of the enjarres

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The materials for plastering are calculated depending on the type of plastering, and these are charged per square meter. In general, the jars are made with cement, sand, lime and sometimes plaster is added.

Prices for this type of finish range from $80 MX per square meter to $400 MX per square meter. It depends on the type and the quantities that are contracted. Do you need help with your project?
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Calculation of floor finishes

From the polished concrete on the floors to the marble. It is counted according to the square meters needed to cover the floor areas.

The type and amounts of mix are also included in the calculation, in cases where it is needed to glue the pieces together. In the case of the cement floor, the thickness and strength should be decided, in order to cube the amount of cement. In this way, you can quantify the materials that the floor has.

It is important not to forget about the dosage of concrete.

Calculate the cost and purchase of roof coverings

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On roofs, the type of waterproofing that will be used. Its duration is first determined. Either 5 years or 10 years, and its cost will depend on this. 

Calculation of roof waterproofing:

1. Waterproofing is done on a concrete or wooden roof. Always before placing any other coating and after having defined the slopes of the roof.
2. In the case of a flat concrete slab, this is calculated per square meter of roof. 
3. In tiled roofs, these already have an established slope, depending on the type of tile.
4. The quantities of tiles are also calculated per square meter. It depends on the dimensions and type of the material. Its design and installation specifications. Since they must have an overlap in their assembly.
5. Roof dimensions include eaves, ridge, and any design elements that need to be covered by shingles.

How to calculate the cost of electrical installations

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Electrical installations

1. They have as components: the pipes that channel through the walls and ceiling. The electrical conductors that are cables of different dimensions or calibre. And also, the number of outlets, and the rooms where it is located. In addition, equipment that it feeds. 
2. The calculations of the electrical installations are carried out by the electrical engineer for its design.
3. As essential accessories of electrical installation materials, there are switches, sockets and lamp holders, as well as a system of safety devices and electricity control. These are counted: some by linear meters, the canalization and the conductors; the rest per unit, specifying type, caliber, quality, brand and model as the case may be.

Now let’s talk about the sanitary facilities

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Sanitation

1. Sanitary facility, include the introduction or supply of white water that reaches the house. And the black or residual water, that is discharged into the city’s sewage system.
2. All this type of installation is handled with iron, copper and concrete pipes depending on the use, with the appropriate diameters, calculated by the professional responsible for this design. 
3. Grease traps, sump grates, visitation boxes, their designs and dimensions are also calculated. 
4. The heaters and sanitary pieces, plus their accessories, are computed according to the specifications of the models and brands chosen.

Other costs to calculate in a construction:

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It is worth mentioning that, at the beginning of the construction. The cleaning of the land, the excavation for the foundations of the structure. And the disposal of the excavation material calculated per cubic meter also enters. 

In some cases, a filling material is needed to consolidate the ground. In this case, it is specified what type of material is appropriate. And the quantity according to the design of the base to be built.

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With this information and the total dimensions of each of the parts that make up the building, you can calculate the materials that must be purchased for construction. The purchase of these materials can be staggered. Following the construction program that the responsible professional can supply to the owner. And also, depending on the type of contract, that the latter makes with the person or company that will do the construction.

In this article, we will explain the list of materials used in building construction. Choosing the right materials for your project is vital. To be honest, we have covered a well researched list of materials used in building construction as follows:

• What are building material?
• 5 Main Families of building materials
• Metallic Building Material
• Organic Building Material
• Mineral Building Material
• Composite Building Material
• Characteristic And Different Types Of Building Material

What Are Building Materials in Construction?

List Of Building materials in construction

The range of materials used in the building construction industry (buildings and public works) is vast and is enriched every day, especially. New materials were created for different purposes, including.

5 Main Families List Of Building Materials In Construction

Besides having numerous list of building materials, they are five main families of building materials in construction. These are: metals, organics, minerals, composites and plastics.

1. Metallic Building Materials

Metals are ubiquitous in the world of construction today. These are the materials of choice for structure, and frames, including cladding, roofing, joinery, heating equipment and plumbing works. 

Among their strong points are the high rigidity, leaving great freedom of creation. The high resistance support loads with less material and increased durability. Thanks to the resistance, at the same time, to bad weather, corrosion, UV and even to earthquakes.

Metal products also have the advantage of being able to be recycled in their entirety. Without altering the qualities of the metal, even after several recycling cycles. Unlike most non-metallic materials,

List Of Common Metals Used In Construction

The most common metals used in construction listed as follows: steel (carbon, stainless), aluminium and copper.

Steel is particularly robust, and the frames made of this metal guarantee you a perfectly stable structure. Especially when it comes to carbon steel, generally used to manufacture beams, rigid pipes, profiles, etc.

Stainless steel, on the other hand, is efficient to corrosion and does not rust. Clarity can be used in many fields, in particular for the manufacture of sheet metal or plumbing elements. Such as taps or shower columns.

Light and ductile, aluminium is the modern material par excellence. And makes it possible to produce made-to-measure elements in many colours to meet all constraints. In addition, it is resistant to weather, and efficiently used in the design of windows, doors, bay windows, as well as other elements facing the outside. Call us now, at Last Builders, so that we can help you find a wide choice of aluminium joinery.

Contrary to aluminium, copper is one of the oldest building materials, which captivates with its timelessness and longevity. Being also resistant to corrosion, it is used for hot and cold water pipes, in heating systems, but also for various architectural elements: roofing, down spouts, gutters, etc.

2. Organic Building Materials

Organic building material mainly made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen atoms, organic materials can be of natural or synthetic origin, but it is preferable to treat the latter separately.

Types Of Organic Material In Building Construction

The Organic materials of natural origin were the first materials to be used by humans in construction projects. Nowadays, they are especially appreciated for their lightness, their elasticity and their capacity for thermal and electrical insulation. 

They are also interesting from an environmental point of view because it is possible to produce them intelligently using renewable sources in order to limit the depletion of natural resources.

Natural organic materials are obtained from plants (plant origin) or animals (animal origin). Among the first to have been used, let us mention among others hemp, cotton or even cork which are used as insulation in the form of rolls, panels or in bulk, but also straw which can be used in the composition of some coatings, and of course wood. 

This noble, aesthetic and easy-to-work material is in great demand in construction, from the creation of the framework to exterior or interior joinery.

Among the materials of animal origin , sheep’s wool and duck feathers are mainly used. They are good thermal insulators, respectful of the environment and human health.

3. Mineral Building Materials

Scientifically speaking, mineral materials are inorganic materials that have ionic and covalent bonds. These are rocks (building stone, gravel), ceramics (sandstone tiles, porcelain stoneware, terracotta) and glass. 

These materials have been used since antiquity, and their nature has remained unchanged for several millennia. They are distinguished by their hardness and rigidity, as well as their mechanical and chemical resistance. They are ideal for heavy work.

Different Types Of Mineral Building Materials in Construction

Building stone is in particular one of the most used mineral materials in construction, even if today it is becoming increasingly rare in structural work because of its difficult implementation and its price.

Nevertheless, natural stone is still appreciated for its authentic side and its power to capture calories and accumulate them and then release them gently (inertia). 

Brick is another traditional material widely used in masonry work. Made from clay and terracotta, the brick comes in four formats: solid, perforated, alveolar and hollow, each with its own particular properties. 

Difference Between Hollow And Solid Brick

For example, solid brick is strong but heavy, while hollow brick is light but offers a poor level of thermal and sound insulation. 

Porcelain stoneware tiles are part of the ceramic family. A mixture of clay and silica with the addition of other mineral materials, pressed and fired at a very high temperature, to then be covered or not with a layer of enamel, it is one of the most resistant in the world.

Uses Of Porcelain Stoneware Tiles

 Main advantage of porcelain stoneware tiles are very widely used as a coating in modern construction or renovation because it represents a good compromise between technical performance and competitive price compared to other materials.

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4. Composite Building Materials

The composite material is an alloy of at least two immiscible materials:

First, it has properties that its components alone do not have. Second, it is made up of a framework, called a reinforcement, which provides mechanical strength, and a matrix which guarantees the cohesion of the structure and distributes the forces. 

Classification Of Composite Material

Composites can be classified according to the nature of the matrix: it can be resin, organic or ceramic. The reinforcements can also be different: it is possible in particular to use glass fibres, carbon fibres and even plant fibres such as hemp and flax. 

These include concrete and reinforced concrete, which shaped the face of the 20th century, plywood, used to build partitions, but also new materials, such as composite wood, made from recycled wood, crushed and mixed to a polymer resin.

Advantage of Composite Building Material

 Its advantage: a preserved wood appearance, which is moreover with good resistance to heat, humidity and termites. There are also composite materials for roofing, such as fibre cement roofing sheets or recycled composite tiles. Lighter, more flexible and robust, these materials are the guarantee of a waterproof cover for many years.

Disadvantage Of Composite Building Material

One of the disadvantages of most composites are difficult to recycle due to the presence of thermosetting polymers. 

Thus, to reduce the environmental impact of buildings, it is now possible to use biocomposites made with natural fibres from plants or cellulose, and a biodegradable matrix (e.g. PLA, poly lactic acid).

5. Plastic Building Materials

Definition: Plastic Building materials are polymers, usually mixed with additives, colourants and fillers. 

Like natural organic materials, they contain carbon, but are man-made through chemical processes. The majority of them are obtained from petroleum, and they were developed in the 20th century to deal with the shortage of certain materials of natural origin. 

Types Of Platic Materials

There are many types: thermoplastic polymers (ABS, PVC, etc.), elastomers (silicone, polyurethane, etc.), thermosetting polymers (epoxy, Bakelite, etc.), bioplastics (PLA, polyamide 11, etc.).

Uses Of Plastics In Construction Projects

Most plastics have numerous useful properties in the field of construction.

•  They are durable and resist corrosion, making them ideal for raceways and window and door frames. 
• Light, malleable, easy to handle and transport, and reduce installation time. 
• Easy to maintain and clean, so they are good floor and wall coverings, especially in environments that require impeccable hygiene. 
• Plastics are inexpensive and at the same time good thermal, sound and electrical insulators. Thus, they make it possible to design affordable, high-quality housing with low energy consumption. 
• Used for the exterior (as coating, insulation, to channel rainwater, etc.), for the interior (coatings, joinery.

Advantages Of Plastic Materials

Fortunately, plastic waste is becoming a source for construction. Through mechanical or chemical recycling, opaque PET waste can, for example, be transformed into insulation foam.

 End-of-life windows, doors, cables and pipes can be mechanically transformed into pellets and reused for the same applications. 

Recycled PVC mixed with sawdust can be used to make deck boards. In the end, by using plastic materials for construction, it is possible to fight against pollution.

Disadvantages Of Plastics In Construction

The problem with plastic material faced in most construction projects is that very little is recycled, with many going to landfill or lost to nature. 

Characteristics And Different Types Of Building Materials

In a construction, each material plays a specific role. 

Wall materials, for example, support the weight of the roof and at the same time withstand the constant onslaught of the elements. 

The materials of the openings must allow light to pass through, but they must not let through water, cold or heat. 

Filling of the walls, in addition to their supporting and protective function, must make it possible to maintain a comfortable temperature inside. 

That is why each element plays its role to perfection, it is important to choose the building materials according to their fields of use and their main characteristics.

Strongest Building Materials

Every home builder wants to build a solid house. But we must also not forget that the climate and its constraints may be different from one region to another, and the requirements concerning the resistance will not be the same either.

Thus, in a region subject to severe weather, it will be necessary to favour reinforced concrete blocks. In an earthquake zone, lighter and more elastic materials, such as wood or steel, will be preferable. 

Conversely, wood will not be sufficiently resistant in a humid environment, and cinder blocks and concrete blocks should be preferred, with anti-capillary insulation for the facades. 

As for the brick, it has excellent resistance to strong temperature variations, which makes it a suitable product for regions subject to significant heat peaks.

The Most Insulating Building Materials In Construction

When it comes to Construction projects, most conventional building materials must be associated with insulation in order to guarantee a good level of thermal comfort to the occupants of the dwelling while not wasting energy by overheating. 

Since heat loss is greater in the attic and the roof, it is these walls that should be insulated as a priority.

Two Fundamental Roles Of Insulators

A thermal insulator is a material that has two fundamental roles: it prevents the heat from entering in summer and, on the other hand, it preserves the dwelling from the cold in winter. 

For this, it must absorb very little heat: its surface temperature can indeed rise very quickly, but only change very slowly inside. Everything depends on the thermal conductivity and the thickness of the insulation.

Best Insulation Material

Among the best insulators are synthetic (polyurethane foam), natural (sheep’s wool, cellulose wadding) and mineral (rock wool, glass wool) insulation. 

Synthetic insulators are the most frequently used because they have a good cost-effectiveness ratio. 

But they are less efficient in terms of sound insulation and can be harmful to health while having a certain impact on the environment. This is also the case for mineral wools, which can also settle, which reduces their lifespan. 

Natural fibre insulation is biodegradable and has a low impact on the environment, but it can be destroyed by animals that eat it or by fungi if it gets wet. To be chosen according to the specifications!

Also note that, as the insulation sector is expanding, new insulations appear on the market regularly. These include so-called “new generation” insulation, such as single-wall bricks, insulating formwork, insulating paint, etc.

To find the insulation that best suits your needs, do not hesitate to call Last Days Builders 

Most Malleable Building Materials

Malleability is the ability of a material to deform hot or cold without breaking, and to retain its new shape. It can thus be flattened, bent, curved. Most metals and their alloys are malleable and ductile, that is, they can stretch without breaking, and are often selected for the manufacture of wires and cables.

The malleability makes it possible to obtain various shapes and aesthetic finishes. Steel and aluminium radiators can thus take on the most designer forms while the more malleable metals, such as zinc, can be used to produce roofing and rainwater drainage elements, cladding and decorations of facades.

Even for structural work, it is unwise to focus only on the hardest metals (note that the hardness of steels is determined by their carbon content), because the harder a metal is, the harder it is, even impossible, to solder.

Plastics are also very malleable: some can be heated, then shaped in the moulds and then reheated and reshaped; others may only be heated and shaped once. They are mainly used for the manufacture of pipes and tanks, as well as other elements with complex shapes.

What Are Conductive Materials?

Conductive materials are opposed to an insulator, a conductor is a material allowing energy exchanges between two systems. There are thermal, electrical and optical conductors. 

In the field of construction, it is above all the thermal and electrical conductivity that interests us, and it is still the metals that are found at the top of the table.

Copper is in fact the most used to make electrical wires and cables, while steel and aluminium are used more in heat distribution and evacuation systems (cooling).

Which materials are recyclable and the most friendly to the environment?

Today, humanity has understood that natural resources are not inexhaustible. This is why the modern house should not only focus on comfort, but also on its overall ecological impact. In this context, the use of sustainable products, non-polluting, recyclable materials takes on its full meaning.

Examples Of Preferred Materials:

These are some examples of preferred materials

• Wood, natural and renewable, with good thermal performance.
• Hemp concrete, made from hemp debris and a lime-based binder with very interesting characteristics (thermal and acoustic insulation, elasticity).
• The single-wall brick, which preserves heat in summer and allows energy savings in winter, to be used without insulation.

Things To Consider When Using Organic Materials

On the insulation side, it is preferable to use organic materials (such as straw or cellulose wadding), which are less toxic than mineral wool. As for finishes, mineral paints (lime, clay) and natural coatings will be less harmful than, for example, vinyl floors and glycerol paint.

It is also necessary to wonder about the quantity of energy necessary throughout the life cycle of the building material, that is to say for its manufacture, its transport, its storage, its distribution, its use, its maintenance and finally, it’s recycling or disposal. This is what is called “gray energy”. 

Metals and synthetic materials consume a lot of embodied energy, as do products that come from afar. The least processed products, the least heavy and consumed as close as possible to their place of production, consume little embodied energy. Solid wood will therefore be the big winner, while cinder block and brick will be the most energy-intensive.

Building a house today while having the lowest possible environmental impact is not an easy task between the need on the one hand to take into account energy and environmental issues, and on the other, not to sacrifice comfort. Traditional construction materials, known for millennia, but also the most efficient modern materials, are there to make your job easier. Just choose them carefully!

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All the advisors at Last Days Builders will be happy to support you throughout your various projects. Don’t hesitate to contact them and ask for their advice. 

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