It is not always easy to make the right choice of materials to use for building a house, especially when you are not from the field. There are several types of materials for constructing your house, each with its specificities, advantages, and disadvantages. The choice of which one you will use for your house must meet criteria such as budget, house architecture, etc.
Walls of the house: which material?
Walls play a major role in the architecture of a house. Their function is to support the structure of the building and protect it from various weather conditions like rain, snow, etc. They must also provide good thermal and acoustic insulation for the occupants. Therefore, it is important to choose your materials for the house carefully, especially for the wall part.
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There is concrete block or cinder block, which is made from gravel, cement, and water molded into a rectangular shape. This material is inexpensive and resists frost, fire, and break-ins well. However, due to its low insulating properties, it requires an additional layer of insulation.
There is also cellular concrete, which is composed of lime cement, aluminum powder, sand, and water. Its cost is higher than that of cinder blocks. However, its thermal and acoustic insulation level exceeds that of cinder blocks. This is why it does not need an additional insulation layer.
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You also have raw earth bricks, which are an excellent ecological material. A bit more expensive than cinder blocks, it nonetheless offers very good insulating properties.
Choosing materials for the house frame
For the frame, if you plan to use wood to construct it, prioritize those from local production. This will help reduce the ecological impact of your construction. It is also advisable to choose from deciduous trees or coniferous trees.
For the large pieces of the frame, you can choose between Scots pine, spruce, elm, maritime pine, etc. For rafters and joists, prefer chestnut, poplar, or fir. Thus, each type of wood is necessary for each part of the structure to ensure good robustness of the frame overall.
There are also metal frames made of rolled steel that offer flexibility and maneuverability and are more resistant than wooden frames. However, they are less aesthetically pleasing than wood and are less fire-resistant. Their price is about 10% cheaper than that of wooden frames.
You have concrete frames, which are less commonly used than others but adapt easily to all configurations. They are, however, more resistant and easier to assemble.
What materials for the roofing?
The choice of materials for your house’s roofing depends on the comfort and level of aesthetics you want. There are terracotta tiles, which are the most commonly used material in France. They come in various colors, and their installation is relatively easy.
There are concrete tiles that are more durable, with a longer lifespan, but they have the disadvantage of not being breathable like terracotta ones. You also have slate tiles, which can be natural or synthetic. They are non-porous and resist frost and moss well.
They also present a good aesthetic appearance and maintain their look over time. However, they are more expensive and more difficult to install than other tiles.
Besides the materials mentioned, there are many others that come into play for building a house.