The adoption of technology has largely revolutionized
building construction. From site sensors, drones, and 3D designs, to machine
learning, every building construction site you visit today looks a whole lot
different from what it used to be a decade ago. Technology infusion has found
wide acceptance thanks to its unrivaled ability to quickly boost productivity, enhance
process efficiency, augment site safety, and cement collaboration.
That said, technology alone is not enough to succeed in
building construction. The smarter homeowners, real estate developers, and
commercial property owners are going a step further to add high-quality building
materials to the whole equation. In other words, combining cutting-edge
technology with the best-in-class building materials yields unprecedented structures
sure to arouse interest.
So, why quality materials? It’s simple. Quality materials
produce quality results. That means when you build using quality materials, you
have every right to expect a sturdy and durable building as the end product. That
is always guaranteed!
The other thing to think about is where to source your
quality building materials from. Since you are here already, you might want to
check out what Pioneer Hardware, Ruaka has to offer.
Being in the building construction industry for decades, we are
well versed with the latest building trends and the right materials to go along
with the emerging trends. Whether you are looking for customized building
solutions or prefabricated ones, our industry experience and knowledge base are
vast enough to accommodate your unique needs.
Located in one of the fasted growing development hubs in the
East African region, Pioneer Hardware has continued to play a leading role in
ensuring the quality and safety of the structures we help put up. We achieve
this by supplying our clients with top-of-the-range building materials and
expert advice. We source all our materials from the best brands to keep quality
compromise out of the question.
If that fits the description of a building construction
partner you are looking to work with, give us a call today to get started.
What Is a Building Material?
Simply put, a building material is any material used in
setting up your building. It may include cement, re-bars, bricks, sand,
aggregate, wood, clay, and the like.
While traditionally wood and bricks were the main highlights
of any building, modern engineers have reinvented the process entirely. Nowadays,
it is possible to mix and match different materials optimally to produce better
quality structures.
That said, the choice of materials always comes down to a
client’s budget and whether the materials chosen would attain the desired
structural results. Generally, the quality of the materials dictates the
strength and durability of the building.
To save mother nature from extinction, most modern building
materials are manufactured. Modern materials are synthetic to reduce the use of
natural building materials like wood whose extraction threatens the ecosystem.
Furthermore, from the concept of synthetics, pre-fabricated
structures have emerged. These structures are manufactured and pre-assembled
off-site. Once acquired, your project team will only need to fit them in the
building and that’s it. Some examples include cabinets, walls, doors, and
windows.
What Are the Most Important Building Materials to Think About?
In any building construction project, there are certain materials
that you would hardly miss in the picture. They play a fundamental role in bringing
the other building elements together for an overall wholesome structure. Being
that crucial, you cannot afford to compromise on their quality.
Some of these materials include:
ü Cement
Think of cement as the binding agent in your building
project. That means cement is responsible for binding bricks, sand, steel bars,
and other structural components to achieve maximum structural integrity.
In the Kenyan market, cement comes in various classes according
to application. The three major ones are:
1. Class 32.5 N: The most commonly applied
cement, Class 32.5 N is ideal for normal strength construction where high
strength is not necessary. It is mostly used in the construction of concrete
water tanks, swimming pools, and plastering.
2. Class 32.5 R: Mostly used where high
early strength is not needed in construction. Requiring little binding
strength, it is, therefore, suitable for tiles installation, plastering, and
building walls.
3. Class 42.5 N: Designed to withstand
larger loads and higher pressure, Class 42.5 N comes with a higher initial
strength during curing. It is widely used in constructing heavy structures like
dams, bridges, and subways.
ü Sand
Comprising particles of disintegrated rock, sand adds unique
properties such as strength to concrete used in construction. There are several
varieties of sand available for building construction including River Sand, Rock
Sand, Pit Sand, and Fine Sand. They all vary in particle size and binding
properties.
ü Stone
Being heavyweight, stone is commonly used in the
construction of floors and walls. As a natural building material, stone not only
adds durability to a building but also natural aesthetics. Generally, building
construction projects use two stone types, that is, manual cut stones and
machine cut stones.
ü Brick
A brick is simply a block used in constructing different
elements of a building such as walls and pavements. It may contain clay or
other materials. Some of the popular types of bricks used in building
construction include clay bricks, engineering bricks, concrete bricks, and lime
bricks.
ü Aggregate
Probably the most popular item in building construction,
aggregate plays a crosscutting role. It simply refers to an assortment of particulate
material comprising a good mixture of coarse and medium-grain properties.
Aggregate is mixed with cement, lime, or gypsum to produce mortar or concrete.
It, therefore, adds stability and volume to the entire mixture.
ü Wood
Wood is the most versatile material used in building
construction for different applications. The major types of wood used in erecting
a building are:
1.
Softwood (pine, spruce, fir, cedar, hemlock)
2.
Hardwood (mahogany, oak, teak, maple, cherry)
3.
Engineered wood (plywood, MDF, composite board)
ü Metal
Rarely are buildings constructed without metal and therefore
the right metal type and quality matter a lot. The common metal varieties
mostly used are stainless steel, aluminum, mild steel, copper, and brass. These
types are preferred for their high tensile strength to undergird durability.
ü Glass
Glass adds incredible value to a building including natural
light transmission, thermal insulation, and sound insulation. Thus, you cannot
rule out quality when considering the best glass for your building. The most
popular glass types in any construction include tinted glass, laminated glass, shatterproof
glass, float glass, chromatic glass, and toughened glass.
Why You Need Quality Building Materials
If you take quality out of any equation, the outcome is
always compromised or frowned upon. You cannot afford that for your building
project given it is a huge investment and a lifetime milestone.
That’s why quality building materials are a must-have when
you are setting up your new home or renovating your commercial building.
Among other things, quality materials guarantee:
ü Durability
Working with high-quality materials means minimizing any
chances of having to replace them. Such materials offer the utmost performance guaranteeing
your building to last a lifetime. Unlike poor-quality materials that are
susceptible to cracks and breaks, quality materials require low maintenance
causing your building to always look in tip-top shape.
ü Safety
Built to last, quality materials have a stronger endurance
and offer greater resistance to the elements. Over time, they can easily stand
the tough test of time without compromising the structure’s integrity. This
affords you great peace of mind resting in the assurance that you are in safe
hands. In other words, when applied professionally, quality materials add
reliability and efficiency to your building.
ü Cost
Savings
Investing in quality materials from the get-go helps you to
save on future unforeseen costs. Opting for poor-quality materials amounts to
frequent maintenance ultimately translating to higher building overheads. Further,
replacements and repairs of broken sections of the building are way costlier in
the long run.
ü Sustainability
As the world moves toward a sustainable future, so should
your building. The only way to keep up with sustainability in your home or
commercial property is to build with quality materials that are also
eco-friendly.
What Are the Main Parts of a Building?
Broadly speaking, a building can be split into two sections,
that is, the sub-structure and the super-structure.
The sub-structure simply refers to the section of the
building constructed below the ground level. On the other hand, the super-structure
is the section of the building constructed above the ground level. All the
activities entailing building construction such as flooring, walls, and roofing
can only take place after laying the sub-structure.
That said, the entire building structure features a
well-coordinated sequence of different components including:
·
Roof
·
Parapet
·
Lintels
·
Beams and slabs
·
Columns
·
Damp Proof Course (DPC)
·
Walls
·
Floors
·
Stairs
·
Plinth Beam
·
Plinth
·
Foundation
All these components work in close harmony to secure the
integrity of your building. Some play the supporting role, some the enclosing
role, and others the protection role.
What Are the Top Qualities of the Best Building Material for Your Roof?
The best roofing material for your building is one that
affords you a genuine smile for the entire lifespan of your roof. Being an
expensive decision, buying a roof is not something you do every few years.
Therefore, you should be keen to choose a roofing material
sure to last and save you money by eliminating frequent roof repairs.
Roofing experts at Pioneer Hardware agree that these are the
key characteristics to consider when acquiring a new roof:
·
Strength:
Roofing strength automatically comes with durability. A strong roof doesn’t
break easily and can withstand the toughest punishment from the elements
without caving.
·
Wind
resistance: Being your first line of defense, your roof should stay put
even amidst a ravaging wind storm to guarantee your safety.
·
Water
resistance: Moisture invasion on your roof is inevitable. Therefore, your roof should remain
structurally sound even after prolonged exposure to moisture.
·
Fire
resistance: A good-quality roofing material should contain fire retardant
elements to enhance its fireproofing capabilities.
The most popular roof materials available in the market are
clay tiles, concrete tiles, metal sheets, asphalt shingles, slate tiles, and
wood shakes.
What Are the Top Qualities of the Best Building Material for Your Wall?
Whether you are thinking about your exterior walls or
interior walls, the type of wall material you choose has a significant bearing
on the overall outlook and lifespan of your building. That said, in addition to
strength and durability, your wall also plays a leading role in the visual
interest of your structure.
So, how do you select the best wall material? Generally, a
good quality wall material should be assessed based on:
·
Durability
·
Chemical resistance
·
Fire resistance
·
Thermal capacity
·
Heat conductivity
·
Frost resistance
·
Water permeability
With that in mind, your exterior walls may require totally
different materials from your interior walls. The most popular options for
exterior walls are brick, wood, metal, vinyl, concrete, ceramic tiles, plastic,
and stone. On the flip side, wood paneling, paint, tiles, brick, and glass make
a great companion for interior walls.
Remember, for the best outcomes, you should select your
interior wall material in line with your interior décor or your furniture
colors. Moreover, budget considerations should also come into play.
What Are the Top Qualities of the Best Building Material for Your Floor?
You can accomplish your building’s flooring using different
materials including concrete, tiles (porcelain or ceramic), wood, laminate, marble,
granite, and vinyl, among others. The truth is that all these materials have
varying properties.
Therefore, you should determine the best floor material for
your building based on several factors like:
·
Durability:
The material should be strong enough to resist weathering caused by all
sorts of load punishment.
·
Appearance:
Based on the different colors, styles, designs, and shapes available, the
floor material should be visually appealing.
·
Smoothness:
To protect your equipment on the floor, the top surface of your floor material
should be smooth and level.
·
Damp
resistance: The floor material should resist dampness with ease, especially
in places prone to wetness like bathrooms and kitchens. This helps to mitigate
floor deterioration.
·
Cleanliness:
The material should also be easy to clean and resistant to chemicals, oils, and
greases. It should also resist stain formation with ease.
·
Maintenance:
The floor material should be low-maintenance.
What to Consider When Choosing Lighting Supplies for Your Building
Whether you are looking to install fluorescent lamps, incandescent
lights, or LED bulbs in your building, it is imperative to make your selection
based on the right considerations. Poor lighting can potentially ruin the
appeal of a magnificently constructed building. So, you want to make sure your
lighting design complements the aesthetics of the building for the most value.
Some of the considerations when designing your building’s
lighting system include:
·
Light brightness and distribution
·
Energy efficiency
·
Aesthetics
·
Light color temperatures
·
Heat load
·
Lighting control and flexibility
·
Maintenance
What to Consider When
Choosing Electrical Supplies for Your Building
Whether for your residential or commercial building, electrical
accessories will remain vital in keeping your building functional, convenient,
and comfortable. From wiring and gang boxes to switches and sockets, you will
have to decide on the best accessories to suit your building in the most
optimal manner.
Some of the considerations to factor in your selection of
electrical supplies include:
·
Fireproof material
·
Water-safe products
·
Eco-friendly products
·
Value-adding accessories
·
Reputable supplier
Find All Your Building Materials Under One Roof!
Yes, that’s actually possible! When you step into Pioneer
Hardware, your search ends right there. We save you time by sparing you the
trouble of hopping from store to store. We have stocked everything together in all
the best qualities.
If you have been looking for a multipurpose hardware store
for all your building solutions, contact us for further inquiries.
In the store, you can access a huge selection of modern building
materials including:
·
Cement
·
Plastic drums
·
Water tanks
·
Engineered wood
·
Ladders
·
Roofing sheets
·
Binding wire
·
Manhole covers
·
Construction nails
·
Construction safety gear
·
Electrical accessories
·
Lighting accessories
·
Tiles
Make Your Investment Count!
Your choice of building materials largely determines the
success of your building construction project. The materials you choose can
either make or break your project. So, as you plan for your project, take some
time to analyze the materials best suited for your building.
Having the right material supplier by your side in the
planning stage can help you make the whole process completely hassle-free. The
best supplier will not only help you select the right building materials but
also ensure timely delivery in line with your project schedule.
Pioneer Hardware is your go-to store for the best quality
building materials. Our attendants are knowledgeable about all the latest
brands in the market and will always offer free expert advice to inform your
buying decision. Our aim is to add value to your project right from the onset
by recommending only the materials resonating with your unique needs.
Ready to work closely with us? We are ready when you are! Simply
contact our Ruaka store today to start building backed by quality!
