If you own some kind of property, then you understand the level of responsibility you have to maintain it. For a single-family home, repairs must be done quickly to ensure the house is safe for the whole family. A commercial property must be updated to meet the needs of the modern business tenant. Rental properties need to be cleaned and upgraded to consistently attract tenants who will yield rental income.
No matter what type of property you own, there will likely be opportunities to expand or improve the property through construction projects. These projects could be small in scale, such as a half-bathroom renovation, or they could be massive, such as building an entirely new structure on the land.
An important consideration for any building project is the materials you will use. There are many building materials you can select for your next project, and the best fit will depend on the type of project you are working on. Let’s talk about the various building materials and when they would make sense for your property.
Story Stages
Concrete
Some materials are more suited to specific parts of a building than others, and concrete is one of them. Cement is mixed with sand, water, and/or stone to create a mixture that eventually hardens once it is poured into a mold or shaped area. Concrete is most often used in the foundations of buildings, but it can also be used for beams, walls, sidewalks, and other aspects of the structure. You can rely on concrete to be very long-lasting, withstanding most weather conditions that it will come up against. Concrete is also a popular choice for patios or as footings for decks.
Wood
One of the most common and simple building materials is wood. People have been relying on wood for thousands of years because it is simple to cut, shape, and fasten in versatile layouts to form structures. Wood is also one of the cheaper building materials that you can use for your project and works for foundations, floors, subfloors, frameworks, roofing, and even siding. The danger with wood is that it is very porous and more susceptible to rot and termites. If you are trying to build structures that will last a long time, you will need pressure-treated lumber or a lot of insulation to protect it from the damp.
Steel
There are many types of metal used in construction, but one of the best investments you can make is steel. Compared to other metals, steel is more resistant to rust and corrosion. This means it tends to last a bit longer before needing replacement. Additionally, steel is very strong and will allow for fewer total materials to be used while still maintaining structural integrity. For example, if you were building a pole barn and used 24 ft trusses made from steel rather than wood, there would be more storage room in the upper reaches of the building due to more open space. Wooden beams would take up much more room to hold up the roof safely.
Stone
Stone might be one of the more expensive building materials, but it is also one of the most durable. Additionally, many property owners fall in love with the more natural appeal of stone rather than the artificial look of concrete or metal. There are even artificial stone materials that mimic the look of natural stone but cost a little less, though they will not last as long. Stone is the oldest building material in the world, being first used to carve out caves for shelter. It has come a long way in how it is used and is now a popular building material for homes and commercial structures.
Sustainable Materials
All homes consume energy to keep the lights on, the ovens going, and the HVAC operating smoothly. For a comfortable home, you need electricity to run the outlets and appliances. In the name of a smaller environmental impact, as well as long-term energy savings, many people are searching for sustainable building technologies that can accomplish both objectives. You could invest in solar panels to harness energy from the sun and turn it into electricity. A small windmill on your property could accomplish a similar task while using the wind. You can even set up grey-water recycling systems that dramatically decrease the amount of water your home requires. When working on a new project, sustainability can mean long-term savings, a smaller carbon footprint, and more appeal for future buyers or tenants.
Weigh Material Costs With Benefits Before Deciding
It is easy to only think about the final result for your project and then consider what materials will be used as an afterthought. However, the materials you select can dictate what can be accomplished with your next building project. Do you want it to last for a long time before repairs are needed? Then steel or stone might make more sense. Is it more about aesthetic appeal and achieving a natural look? Perhaps lumber is the way to go in that case. Sustainable practices like green energy can lower your property ownership costs as well. Don’t glance over this important step when you are planning major projects on your property.
