Building matters: Construction materials for homes

Traditionally, the ordinary home was built using bricks, timber or fibro – standard fare in the building game. However, advances in both building technology and knowledge on which materials are safest to work with have not only made an impact on the resources people choose for building but also the way in which we view residential construction projects. Building Pages considers the options open to the contemporary home builder.

Modern home building: Materials in use today

In addition to the standard materials used in home building, there are many more options available and readily used in present day construction. Some, like mud bricks, have been around for centuries and are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, but others are newer innovations that are proving to be as popular as they are durable. These newer materials include:

• Aluminium
• Bush Rock
• Cement composite boards and cladding
• Cement blocks
• Aerated Concrete

Choosing materials for home construction

Concrete is one of the most popular materials used in contemporary housing due to its ability to be formed into almost any shape. Polished Concrete floors and walls are good looking and Concrete has excellent insular properties.

Aerated Concrete is light, whilst retaining Concrete’s strong insular qualities. It’s fireproof and resistant to termite infestation. Houses built with this material generally go up faster and are quite cheap to build.

Aluminium is becoming more popular and is most actively used for window frames, roofing and walls. Bush Rock is another material incorporated into modern home builds, offering the wonderful ambience that is only found in stone structures. In rural areas where it is in plentiful supply, it can be used as an inexpensive (yet attractive) and durable building material.

Cement boards and cladding are commonly utilised due to their ease of application and resemblance to traditional wooden cladding once painted. This material is weather resistant and termite proof and lengths usually just click together.

Despite the availability of these more modern resources, wood never seems to lose its appeal and timber is still a common and very popular material for housing and house frames. Timber homes convey a sense of warmth and charm that is somewhat difficult to compete with.

The style of home a house builder has in mind will almost certainly dictate the type of building material they choose. If you are building your own home, however, it’s worth reviewing materials available, as it may affect the style of design you settle on. Be sure to consider a variety of combinations of materials and finishes – you may just discover the perfect blend for your ideal home.