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Building Materials

Hermanus Building Materials: Everything You Need to Know for Your Next Project.

When planning any construction or renovation project, one of the most critical decisions you will face is choosing the right building materials

Whether you’re constructing a new home, doing a small remodel, or working on a large-scale commercial project, the quality, type, and durability of building materials you select can make or break the outcome. 

At Build it Hermanus, we’re dedicated to helping our customers understand their options when it comes to building materials, ensuring they make informed decisions for their projects.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of building materials, their uses, and the benefits of selecting the right products. 

By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of what materials are best suited for your construction needs and how choosing wisely can save you time, money, and effort in the long run.

What Are Building Materials?

Building materials refer to the substances used in the construction and maintenance of buildings. 

These materials range from natural products like wood, stone, and clay to synthetic products such as steel, cement, and plastic. 

The selection of building materials varies based on factors like the project’s size, the location, weather conditions, and the type of structure being built.

Why Are Building Materials Important?

The right building materials ensure the safety, longevity, and aesthetic appeal of a structure. 

High-quality materials offer durability, energy efficiency, and resistance to environmental factors, while poor-quality materials can lead to structural failures and expensive repairs. 

Furthermore, the materials you choose will impact the building’s appearance, thermal efficiency, and overall performance.

Types of Building Materials and Their Uses

1. Concrete and Cement

Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials globally due to its versatility, strength, and durability. 

It’s used for foundations, walls, floors, and outdoor paving. Cement is the key ingredient in concrete, acting as the binding agent. 

When mixed with sand, gravel, and water, it creates concrete that can withstand heavy loads and resist environmental damage.

  • Benefits: High strength, durability, resistance to fire and water, long lifespan.
  • Common Uses: Foundations, roads, bridges, driveways, walls.

2. Bricks and Blocks

Bricks and blocks are traditional building materials commonly used for constructing walls, partitions, and load-bearing structures. 

Available in a variety of materials like clay, concrete, and fly ash, bricks are known for their strength, fire resistance, and sound insulation properties.

  • Benefits: Energy-efficient, fire-resistant, easy to maintain, cost-effective.
  • Common Uses: Residential and commercial walls, garden pathways, chimneys.

3. Wood and Timber

Wood is one of the oldest and most natural building materials used in construction. It’s valued for its beauty, flexibility, and thermal insulation properties. 

Timber, in particular, is used for structural purposes such as framing, roofing, and flooring. 

However, wood requires treatment to resist moisture and pests, especially in outdoor applications.

  • Benefits: Renewable, eco-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, strong yet lightweight.
  • Common Uses: Structural framing, roofing, flooring, furniture.

4. Steel and Metal

Steel is a popular building material for its incredible strength, flexibility, and resistance to environmental factors. 

It’s commonly used in commercial and industrial projects but is also increasingly utilized in modern residential construction. 

Metals like aluminium and copper are used for roofing, siding, and electrical applications due to their lightweight nature and corrosion resistance.

  • Benefits: High strength-to-weight ratio, recyclable, durable, fire-resistant.
  • Common Uses: Steel frames, roofing, staircases, doors, structural beams.

5. Glass

Glass has become a popular choice for modern buildings due to its aesthetic appeal and ability to provide natural lighting. 

It’s used for windows, doors, partitions, and facades. With advancements in technology, glass can now be treated to provide thermal insulation, UV protection, and increased strength.

  • Benefits: Allows natural light, energy-efficient, soundproofing, modern appearance.
  • Common Uses: Windows, doors, facades, skylights, room partitions.

6. Insulation Materials

Insulation is critical for maintaining energy efficiency in a building. Proper insulation helps control temperature, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling. 

Common insulation materials include fiberglass, foam, and cellulose, which can be installed in walls, roofs, and floors.

  • Benefits: Energy-efficient, reduces heating and cooling costs, soundproofing.
  • Common Uses: Wall cavities, attics, basements, floors.

7. Plastic and Composites

Plastic materials, including PVC and composites, are widely used in construction for piping, electrical insulation, and siding. 

These materials are lightweight, easy to install, and resistant to corrosion and chemical exposure. Composites like fiberglass are used for their strength and durability in roofing and flooring.

  • Benefits: Corrosion-resistant, lightweight, cost-effective, versatile.
  • Common Uses: Pipes, windows, doors, flooring, electrical conduits.

How to Choose the Right Building Materials

Selecting the right building materials for your project depends on several factors. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

1. Project Requirements

The type of project you’re working on will largely determine the materials you need. For example, building a house will require different materials than renovating a bathroom or constructing a deck.

2. Climate and Location

Consider the climate where the building is located. Certain materials perform better in specific environments. 

For example, timber may be ideal in dry climates, while steel or concrete might be better suited for areas with high humidity or seismic activity.

3. Budget

Budget is always an important factor. However, it’s essential to balance cost with quality. 

Investing in high-quality building materials may increase your upfront costs but will save you money on repairs and maintenance in the long run.

4. Sustainability

Many modern builders are turning to sustainable building materials to reduce the environmental impact of construction. 

Choosing eco-friendly options like reclaimed wood, recycled metal, or low-VOC paints can help create energy-efficient, green buildings.

5. Aesthetic Preferences

The visual appeal of building materials is another factor. Natural stone, wood, and glass offer a timeless look, while composite materials and metal can provide a sleek, modern finish.

Benefits of Using High-Quality Building Materials

Choosing high-quality building materials offers a range of benefits that go beyond aesthetics and cost savings. Here are some key advantages:

  • Durability: Quality materials last longer, reducing the need for repairs and replacements.
  • Energy Efficiency: Proper insulation and high-performance windows can drastically reduce energy bills.
  • Safety: Using reliable materials ensures that the structure meets safety standards and can withstand environmental stressors.
  • Resale Value: A well-constructed building made from quality materials typically has a higher resale value.
  • Sustainability: Environmentally friendly materials help reduce the carbon footprint of a building and promote sustainable living.

When embarking on a construction or renovation project, the right building materials are key to its success. 

From the foundation to the roof, every component of a structure depends on the quality and suitability of the materials used. 

At Build it Hermanus, we offer a wide range of building materials that meet the highest standards of quality and performance. 

Whether you’re a contractor working on a large-scale project or a homeowner undertaking a DIY renovation, we have the products and expertise to help you every step of the way.

Build it right with Build it Hermanus!

Follow us on social media, to stay up to date with our latest sizzling specials and promotional offers.

Build it Hermanus offers added value services in respect of hardware retailing; embracing all activity within the building materials industry, focusing specifically on the building of; urban, township, rural housing as well as all home improvements and do it yourself.

Build it is a division of the SPAR Group Limited South Africa. A voluntary trading group of individually owned retail stores with more than 10 000 employees across the group, we currently have stores in South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique with plans to expand into Botswana and Zambia in the near future. We view ourselves not only as a supplier of materials, but as a partner to our valued customers in accomplishing their building or renovating projects.

Categories
Building Materials

All About Bricks, A Comprehensive Guide to Building Materials.

Bricks, the fundamental building blocks of modern masonry structures, have stood the test of time as a reliable and versatile building material.  In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of various types of bricks for sale, their manufacturing processes, and their applications. 

Whether you’re a seasoned builder or a DIY enthusiast, understanding the nuances of bricks is essential for successful construction projects. 

Join us on this educational journey as we explore the world of bricks, from the ancient sun-dried varieties to the advanced engineering bricks of today.

What Is Brick?

At its core, a brick is a rectangular block of uniform size, hardened through either heating or chemical processes. Bricks serve as the foundation for diverse masonry structures, offering durability and versatility. 

The market boasts various types of bricks, including clay bricks (1st class, 2nd class, etc.), solid or hollow bricks, interlocking bricks, concrete bricks, and more.

Types of Bricks

1. Clay Bricks

Sun-Dried Bricks or Unburnt Bricks

Advantages:
  • Easy to make.
  • Cost-effective.
Disadvantages:
  • Low compressive strength.
  • Unsuitable for permanent structures.
  • Burnt Bricks

A. First Class Bricks

The first-class bricks are the highest quality burnt bricks, table moulded, wire cut, heated in kilns and allowed to dry. These bricks are uniform in shape and colour and have properly defined edges. First class bricks are used for pavements, walls of permanent structures, and for ornamental purposes.

Advantages:
  • High compressive strength (minimum 10.5 N/mm2).
  • Suitable for permanent structures.
  • Uniform shape and colour.
  • Ideal for load-bearing walls.
Disadvantages:
  • Not suitable for freeze-thaw conditions.
  • Slight expansion over time.
  • Prone to chemical attacks.

Properties Of First-Class Bricks

        1st Class Bricks             Properties
1Type Class 1
2. Feature Table moulded.
3. Shape & Size Standard and uniform (rectangular).
4. Surface & Edges Sharp, smooth, square, and straight.
5. Colour Uniform red or brown.
6. Maximum Water Absorbing 15% of its self-weight when submerged in water for 24 hours.
7. Crushing Strength 105 kg/cm2
8. Making Process Burnt in kilns.
9. Use Permanent and superior work.

 

B. Second Class Bricks

These types of brick are made using the same method but may be slightly over burnt, with slight hair cracks and small irregularities on the surface. This type of brick is usually used in buildings where the walls will be plastered, as a brick ballast in concreting and in some load-bearing buildings.

Advantages:
  • Cost-effective.
  • Suitable for plastered permanent structures.
  • Usable in single-storeyed load-bearing buildings.
Disadvantages:
  • Higher water absorption (22%).
  • Less defined edges.
  • Lower compressive strength (7 N/mm2).

Properties Of Second-Class Bricks

     2nd Class Bricks             Properties
1. Type Class 2
2. Feature Table moulded.
3. Shape & Size Irregular
4. Surface & Edges Rough, uneven faces, may consist of hairline cracks.
5. Colour Uniform colour.
6. Maximum Water Absorbing 22% of its self-weight when submerged in water for 24 hours.
7. Crushing Strength 70 kg/cm2
8. Making Process Burnt in kilns and sometimes may be slightly over burnt.
9. Use Used in internal walls. (Plaster or coating is required.

 

C. Third Class Bricks

These types of brick are table moulded but burnt in clamps instead of kilns, which makes then slightly under burnt, this imparts poor quality to the bricks. These types of bricks are used for non-load bearing walls, boundary walls, low-rise walls, etc,

Advantages:
  • Economical.
Disadvantages:
  • Higher water absorption (25%).
  • Unsuitable for heavy rainfall areas.
  • Lack well-defined edges.
  • Lower compressive strength (3.5 N/mm2).

Properties Of 3rd Class Bricks

      Third Class Bricks                   Properties
1. Type Class 3
2. Feature Ground moulded.
3. Shape & Size Non-uniform
4. Surface & Edges Irregular and distorted edges.
5. Colour Non-uniform and dark.
6. Maximum Water Absorbing 25% of its self-weight when submerged in water for 24 hours.
7. Crushing Strength 30 kg/cm2.
8. Making Process Burnt in kilns and may be overburnt or under burnt.
9. Use Used in temporary structures.

 

D. Fourth Class Bricks

Disadvantages:
  • Over-burnt and weak.
  • Non-uniform shape, size, and colour.
  • Suitable for filling material or ground into powder for other uses.

2. Sand Lime or Calcium Silicate Bricks

Advantages:

  • Ideal for ornamental purposes due to various colours.
  • Compressive strength of 10 N/mm2.
  • Smooth finish requires less plastering.
  • Greater fire resistance.
  • Provides sound insulation.

Disadvantages:

  • Low abrasive strength, unsuitable for wearing surfaces.
  • May shrink after placing, requiring special considerations.

3. Concrete Bricks

Advantages:

  • Higher compressive strength than clay bricks.
  • Pleasing appearance suitable for facades.
  • Smooth finish requires less plastering.
  • Greater fire resistance.

Disadvantages:

  • Shrinkage makes them unsuitable for foundations.
  • Limited lifespan (approximately 65 years).
  • Prone to acid attack and efflorescence.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing.

4. Fly Ash Bricks

Advantages:

  • Replaces clay with fly ash, a waste product.
  • More resistant to freeze-thaw cycles.
  • Higher compressive strength (30 N/mm2).
  • Reduces mercury pollution.
  • Cost-effective and quick production.
  • Low water absorption.
  • Light in weight, reducing foundation costs.
  • No need for soaking before usage.

Disadvantages:

  • Compatibility issues with all fly ash types.
  • Bonding may be less due to smooth finishes.

5. Fire Bricks

Advantages:

  • Low thermal coefficient of expansion.
  • High strength and resistance to palling.

Disadvantages:

  • Costly.
  • High water absorption.
  • Limited aesthetic applications.

Uses:

  • Chimneys, boilers, kilns, and furnaces.

6. Engineering Bricks

Advantages:

  • Suitable for cold weather regions.
  • Applicable in underground construction.

Disadvantages:

  • Lacks pleasing appearance.
  • Higher cost than clay bricks.

The world of bricks is vast and diverse, offering options to suit various construction needs. From the ancient sun-dried bricks used in temporary structures to the advanced engineering bricks with high compressive strength, each type has its unique characteristics and applications. 

As a leading building materials retailer, Build it Hermanus is committed to providing high-quality bricks and expert advice for your construction projects. Visit our store today to explore our extensive range of building materials and embark on your next construction endeavour with confidence. 

Build it right with Build it Hermanus. Log on to our online store, and shop from the comfort of your home: www.buildit-store.co.za

Follow us on social media, to stay up to date with our latest sizzling specials and promotional offers! Build it Hermanus offers added value services in respect of hardware retailing; embracing all activity within the building materials industry, focusing specifically on the building of; urban, township, rural housing as well as all home improvements and do it yourself.