Architecture is believed to have been born nearly ten thousand years ago, just after the Ice Age ended when man began looking for ways to build more permanent structures. Everything is better than living in caves!
This marked a fundamental change in which the nomadic lifestyle was left behind for small groups of societies and villages in places where there was an abundance of food and water. Humanity’s search for powerful materials to build societies, structures, and cities is ongoing. Upgrading the interior and exterior of older buildings is well underway by reputable general contractors and home remodeling companies to achieve greater efficiency.
Let’s take a look at five durable building materials that modern humans are still using after all these years.
Wood
Wood can be used not only as the main building material, but also in conjunction with other materials. When it comes to redecorating your home, it can be used for many purposes, from decoration to actual structures like decks and hardwood floors that add instant appeal to your home. It is also often used for support purposes. It’s easy to cut to length, lighter than stone, and once you season it to remove moisture, it’s durable and strong.
However, there are some downsides to using wood, such as decay, moisture, termites, and sometimes fire. Despite all these disadvantages, wood is still one of the most widely used building materials in the world. The oldest building made of wood is found in Japan, which is the Horyu-ji Temple, which was built in the 8th century.
Brig
Clay is used to make bricks that have been used extensively in many ancient structures such as the Great Wall of China. The bricks are hard, fire resistant, weather resistant, and easy to fabricate for remodeling or building new homes. It is also very convenient to work with them. This building material can be easily manufactured into uniform and uniform shapes, simplifying brickwork.
Not only do brick-built houses look beautiful and old, but they also stand the test of time. Brick is a solution, but remember to discuss your options with the general contractor you hire for your specific job. They should be able to orient you based on the requirements and structure of your home.
Stone
Stone is one of the most prolific building materials known to mankind and is still used in the construction of new buildings, usually for aesthetic purposes. The problem with using stones to build a house is that the stones are extremely heavy, making movement difficult and they have limitations when it comes to stress and tension.
Unlike bricks that require mortar to hold bricks in place when it comes to stacking, stones can withstand heavy vertical loads without the need for mortar. If you have the resources to excavate stones in large quantities and cut them into precise shapes, the use of stone as a building material is very sensitive.
The stone is resistant to fire, weather and even deformation. Some of the most extraordinary structures in the world have been built with stones. They are also widely used for decoration. Steel and concrete have dethroned stone, which is still used for its aesthetic and vintage values.
Concrete
Concrete is made by mixing stone and sand with binder and water. The resulting mixture is then allowed to dry.
Concrete is generally manufactured on site and can be given any shape and form, making it an ideal replacement for stone and wood. Reinforced concrete was discovered in the 18th century, which increased its tensile strength. Used by all remodeling contractors in the US and in areas around the world, rebar reinforcement helps make concrete usable for beams, walls, frames, slabs, foundations, and more.
It is now used to support huge structures made of steel rods and frames. Concrete is used to embed steel rods and frames. To increase the water repellency of concrete and reduce its ability to contract and expand, precast concrete is manufactured in extremely controlled environments.