Construction materials

[edit] Definitions of construction materials

There is no single accepted definition of what constitutes 'materials' in the construction industry, and how these might differ from components, products, equipment, tools and so on. Some definitions are set out below to illustrate the range of possible meanings:

Approved Document 7 of the building regulations (materials and workmanship), gives a very wide definition of materials: 'Materials include manufactured products such as components, fittings, items of equipment and systems; naturally occurring materials such as stone, timber and thatch; and backfilling for excavations in connection with building work.'
Narrower definitions of materials, such as: 'physical substances that things can be made from' exclude manufactured products such as components, fittings, items of equipment and systems. For example, steel is a material, whereas a steel beam is a product.
Primary materials are the materials that make up the majority of the structural components, foundation and envelope of construction projects. Ref The Living Building Challenge.
In some circumstances, Materials might also refer to project information material.

[edit] The importance of construction materials

The UK construction industry is the largest consumer of resources, requiring more than 400 million tonnes of material a year (ref. Davis Langdon) that must be delivered to site, on time, and in the correct order, quantity and specification to meet the needs of the project. This is a complex process involving a very long supply chain, that incurs very significant cost, and the impact on the environment and carbon emissions is very high.

Despite this, 32% of landfill waste comes from the construction and demolition of buildings and 13% of products delivered to construction sites are sent directly to landfill without having being used (ref. Technology Strategy Board).

For more information see: Waste.

Resource management is the process of planning the supply and management of the resources necessary to satisfy the client’s requirements. on time and to budget. Proper resource management ensures that resource demand is satisfied and that the benefit derived from resources is maximised.

For more information see: Resource management.

[edit] What are some common construction materials?

Some of the more commonly used construction materials that might be considered to fall within the narrower definition of 'physical substances that things can be made from' are listed below. For a wider list, including products and components see: Products and components.