Products and components in construction: Knowledge hub

Summary

Products are finished items manufactured for sale such as doors, windows, HVAC units etc as distinct from raw materials (like sand or steel) and services (like design or installation).They are tangible, finished combining materials into usable forms.

Construction components are parts of systems or assemblies, specific parts within a building, like bolts, latches, or sensors, used to assemble larger products or systems.including fittings, fixtures, equipment, and building elements.

Why do products and components matter ?

Products and components are essential to construction. They are the key elements of any building and can help define its quality, safety, and longevity, influencing cost, performance, efficiency, buildability, compliance and sustainability.

Selection and availability can impact:

• Logistics, programmes and so on,
• Performance & compliance: Ensuring buildings meet structural, thermal, acoustic, fire, and hygiene standards.
• Efficiency & quality control: Prefabrication and standardisation can shorten programmes, reduce waste, and improve fit.
• Cost management: Choosing the right products helps budget control and lifecycle cost planning.
• Innovation & sustainability: New products (e.g., phase-change, recycled plastics) and off-site methods (MMC) drive efficiency and environmental goals.
• Coordination: Products and components must be properly specified in drawings and specifications to avoid clashes and ensure proper installation.

Key articles about products and components

Here are some of the key and widely read articles about products on Designing Buildings:

General introductory articles:

• Assembly. Group of components or types to enable the reuse of standardised design or specification elements.
• Building component. An independently manufactured part of a building or asset.
• Building products. Defines finished items sold for construction, distinguishing them from materials and services.
• Building systems. Constituent building parts like structural, electrical, façade systems.
• Construction Products Regulations. EU regulation harmonising performance info of construction products.
• Construction materials. Overview of raw substances used as fundamental inputs for products.
• Elements of buildings. Lists building elements like cladding and structural components.
• Lead time. How long it takes from ordering to receiving.
• Manufacturers. Organisations converting raw materials into finished products for sale.
• Products v goods v materials. Materials are raw; products are finished items offered for sale.
• Resource management. Planning supply and usage of resources to meet client needs.
• Specification for construction. Documents that describe required products, materials, and work in a contract.
• Supply chain. Interconnected supply contracts hierarchy enabling construction procurement.

Introductions to key products and components:

• Adhesives.
• Aluminium.
• Bricks.
• Building services.
• Cladding.
• Concrete.
• Doors.
• Equipment.
• Finishes.
• Fittings.
• Fixtures.
• Flooring.
• Glass.
• Roofing.
• Steel.
• Timber.
• Windows.

Summarising different types of a range of products and components:

• Types of alarm.
• Types of barrier.
• Types of battery.
• Types of beam.
• Types of blinds.
• Types of boiler.
• Types of bolts.
• Types of brick.
• Types of building services.
• Types of carpet.
• Types of ceiling.
• Types of concrete.
• Types of curtains.
• Types of damp-proof courses.
• Types of domestic heating system.
• Types of door.
• Types of engineered wood products.
• Types of filler.
• Types of fixing.
• Types of floor.
• Types of flooring.
• Types of glass.
• Types of heat pump.
• Types of insulation.
• Types of lamp.
• Types of lifts.
• Types of lighting.
• Types of lock.
• Types of metal.
• Types of mortar.
• Types of nails.
• Types of nuts.
• Types of refrigerant.
• Types of sanitary appliances.
• Types of screws.
• Types of sensors.
• Types of showers.
• Types of shutters.
• Types of spring.
• Types of stairs.
• Types of steel.
• Types of stone.
• Types of suspended ceiling systems.
• Types of tile.
• Types of timber.
• Types of wall.
• Types of washers.
• Types of window.

All articles about products and components

There are more than 3.000 articles about products and components on Designing Buildings. A full index is available here.

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