Building Materials Guide
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Common Types of Home Building Materials
from: SelfHomeImprovement.comStucco
Stucco is a versatile building material that is used on both the interior and exterior of homes. Stucco is comprised of various aggregates, binders, and water. On the exterior of homes, stucco can be applied over brick, concrete, or wood and requires little to no maintenance. On the interior, stucco is often applied to walls and ceilings. Although you can paint stucco, you can also get colored stucco from the manufacturer in either standard or custom colors.
Stucco makes an excellent covering for both interior and exterior walls because it is resistant to fire and rot. In addition, stucco is a durable and cost effective building material that is easy to maintain and repair. Aesthetically pleasing, stucco is also used as a trim and can go a long way toward improving the look of your home.
Brick
Brick has long been a building material standard and brick has evolved into blocks of all shapes and sizes and even colors. Brick is used on the interior and exterior of homes, with different types used for different jobs. Homeowners with brick exteriors don't have to worry about painting or siding their homes and brick homes have long been esteemed as quality homes.
Brick is Cost Effective
Brick may be more cost effective than you think as it is consistently recycled. You don't find mountains of brick in landfills the way you do other building materials, although other building materials are starting to be recycled as well. Yet you can purchase used brick that is in as good a condition as the newer, more expensive brick. In addition, brick helps insulate your home so it is an energy efficient choice as well.
Types of Brick
Before purchasing brick for your home improvement project, make sure you are getting the correct grade and type of brick. For example, if you are purchasing brick for an indoor fireplace, you want to make sure you get brick that is heat resistant and therefore made for this purpose. There is also brick that is made for indoor use only as it offers no protection against the weather so before you tackle a bricking job, do make sure you have the right type of brick. You will save money and countless headaches by ensuring your brick is fit for the purpose you have in mind.
Types of Wood
Most people are familiar with the various types of wood but not everyone realizes that wood is graded based on different factors, mainly appearance, however, it is important to get the right type and grade of work for the project you are doing. Hardwoods, like cherry, oak, and pecan are good woods to use for furniture and indoor projects while the softwoods like Pine, Fir, and Cedar are great to use for outdoor projects. This isn't a hard and fast rule, though as it depends on what it is you are constructing and on personal taste. Before you buy wood, though, take the time to see what that particular type of wood is used for rather than just going on price or appearance.
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