| Cement, bricks and tiles are the main building | | | | specially shaped bricks for joints, striking and |
| materials used in the construction of buildings. | | | | tooling, as well as glazed or rubbed bricks for |
| Today, increase in the demand for various building | | | | decorative purposes. |
| materials have led to many building material | | | | Thatch is one of the oldest types of building |
| manufacturing companies. Many new building | | | | material used for roofing. Another generic building |
| materials are environmental hazards, which have | | | | material is wood. Because of the diverse |
| become a big concern to all. | | | | character of different types of wood, it can be |
| Traditionally, the basic types of building materials | | | | used for any type of structure in most climates. |
| used for construction were mud, stone and brush. | | | | Even though wood structures were very |
| Mud was used for filling the spaces between | | | | common in earlier times, they disappeared with |
| bricks and acted as a concrete and insulation. | | | | the approach of concrete structures. |
| Centuries ago, houses were made entirely of dirt | | | | Concrete is a composite building material |
| and clay. This was followed by the use of rocks | | | | comprised of aggregate and a binder (cement). |
| (mainly granite) as building material. From the | | | | Concrete finds good use in all types of building |
| Neolithic period through the medieval age to | | | | construction. Fly ash is a major ingredient in the |
| modern times, granite has been commonly used | | | | concrete mix because of its lightweight and high |
| as a building material. Brush structures were | | | | thermal insulation. |
| commonly seen in tropical areas and were made | | | | More recently, new types of building materials are |
| entirely from plant parts such as branches, bark, | | | | being used. These include metals (for the |
| twigs and leaves. These structures were often | | | | structural framework of larger buildings), plastics, |
| used by Native Americans as resting places. | | | | asbestos and fabrics. Tar-based waterproof |
| Stones and bricks were also common in | | | | materials, paper linoleum, polyvinyl chloride clay |
| construction. Different types of bricks have been | | | | and solvent coatings for inner wall are other |
| and are still used for masonry. This includes | | | | building materials. |