Building Materials

 

Evolution of building materials

The core of a construction project apart from its design is the materials used. Construction has always been highly related to its materials, which have been an essential component since as far back as 400 BC! Buildings and structures including bridges, dams, roads and canals have been built since pre-history. Building materials thus have a long history of around some thousands of years.

Very initially, buildings were made of perishable materials like leaves, branches and animal hides. With invention, materials like stone, clay and timber were used. Slowly came the age of bricks and concretes. Then, with industrial revolution, came metals and steel, which was considered as a revolution of architecture. Today, we see buildings made of bricks, concrete, wood, steel and glass. These materials are no more a revolution.

Now, other innovative materials are coming up in the industry of architecture. With ongoing research and innovative technologies, a variety of modern material options have become available today. With the styles and designs on modern construction, we need materials that can maintain structural strength while reducing its impact on the environment. Polycarbonate is one of the latest materials used in construction because they can withstand harsh weather conditions like wind, rain, hail and snow. They are also highly corrosion resistant and can also resist fire. Thus, polycarbonate roofing is one of the best and most popularity-gaining materials today that is used in greenhouses, skylights, pergolas, sidings, sidelights and many other roofing applications.