Building materialFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other kinds of building materials, see Household hardware, Biology, and Star formation.

Concrete and metal rebar used to build a floor

Building material is any material which is used for a construction purpose. Many naturally occurring

substances, such as clay, sand,wood and rocks, even twigs and leaves have been used to construct buildings.

Apart from naturally occurring materials, many man-made products are in use, some more and some less

synthetic. The manufacture of building materials is an established industry in many countries and the use of

these materials is typically segmented into specific specialty trades, such

as carpentry, plumbing, roofing andinsulation work. They provide the make-up

of habitats and structures including homes.

Contents

  [hide] 

1 Fabric

2 Mud and clay

3 Wood

4 Rock

5 Thatch

6 Brush

7 Gypcrete

8 Ice

9 Sand

10 Concrete

11 Metal

12 Glass

13 Plastic

14 Foam

15 Cement composites

16 Modern industry

17 Building products

18 See also

o 18.1 Testing and certification

o 18.2 Related articles

19 References

20 External links

[edit]Fabric

The tent is the home of choice among nomadic groups all over the world. Two well known types include the

conical teepee and the circular yurt. It has been revived as a major construction technique with the

development of tensile architecture and synthetic fabrics. Modern buildings can be made of flexible material

such as fabric membranes, and supported by a system of steel cables, rigid or internal (air pressure.)

[edit]Mud and clay

Sod buildings in Iceland

The amount of each material used leads to different styles of buildings. The deciding factor is usually

connected with the quality of thesoil being used. Larger amounts of clay usually mean using

the cob/adobe style, while low clay soil is usually associated with sodbuilding. The other main ingredients

include more or less sand/gravel and straw/grasses. Rammed earth is both an old and newer take on creating

walls, once made by compacting clay soils between planks by hand,

now forms and mechanical pneumatic compressors are used.

Soil and especially clay is good thermal mass; it is very good at keeping temperatures at a constant level.

Homes built with earth tend to be naturally cool in the summer heat and warm in cold weather. Clay holds heat

or cold, releasing it over a period of time like stone. Earthen walls change temperature slowly, so artificially

raising or lowering the temperature can use more resources than in say a wood built house, but the

heat/coolness stays longer.

Peoples building with mostly dirt and clay, such as cob, sod, and adobe, resulted in homes that have been built

for centuries in western and northern Europe as well as the rest of the world, and continue to be built, though

on a smaller scale. Some of these buildings have remained habitable for hundreds of years.

[edit]Wood

A natural material for building dwellings for thousands of years, wood was also used to make Churches in the

past. The main problems with wood structures are fire risk and moisture-related problems. Wood is an

aesthetically pleasing material that never goes out of trend completely, though the current popularity of

composite and engineered materials are taking its place in many construction sites.[citation needed]

[edit]Rock

Mont Saint Michel

Rock structures have existed for as long as history can recall. It is the longest lasting building material

available, and is usually readily available. There are many types of rock throughout the world all with differing

attributes that make them better or worse for particular uses. Rock is a very dense material so it gives a lot of

protection too, its main draw-back as a material is its weight and awkwardness. Its energy density is also

considered a big draw-back, as stone is hard to keep warm without using large amounts of heating resources.

Dry-stone walls have been built for as long as humans have put one stone on top of another. Eventually

different forms of mortar were used to hold the stones together, cement being the most commonplace now.

The granite-strewn uplands of Dartmoor National Park, United Kingdom, for example, provided ample

resources for early settlers. Circular huts were constructed from loose granite rocks throughout

the Neolithic and early Bronze Age, and the remains of an estimated 5,000 can still be seen today. Granite

continued to be used throughout the Medieval period (see Dartmoor longhouse ) and into modern times.Slate is

another stone type, commonly used as roofing material in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world

where it is found.

Mostly stone buildings can be seen in most major cities, some civilizations built entirely with stone such as

the Pyramids in Egypt, theAztec pyramids and the remains of the Inca civilization.

[edit]Thatch

Thatch is one of the oldest of building materials known; grass is a good insulator and easily harvested.

Many African tribes have lived in homes made completely of grasses year round. In Europe, thatch roofs on

homes were once prevalent but the material fell out of favor as industrialization and improved transport

increased the availability of other materials. Today, though, the practice is undergoing a revival. In the

Netherlands, for instance, many new buildings have thatched roofs with special ridge tiles on top

[edit]Brush

Toda tribe hut

Brush structures are built entirely from plant parts and are generally found in tropical and sub-tropical areas,

such as rainforests, where very large leaves can be used in the building. Native Americanes for resting and

living in, too. These are built mostly with branches, twigs and leaves, and bark, similar to a beaver's lodge.

These were variously named wikiups, lean-tos, and so forth.

[edit]Gypcrete

Gypcrete is a mixture of gypsum plaster and fibreglass rovings. Although plaster and fibres fiborous

plaster have been used for many years especially for ceilings, it was not until the early 1990s that serious

studies of the strength and qualities of a walling systemRapidwall, using a mixture of gypsum plaster and

300mm plus fibreglass rovings were investigated. It was discovered, through testing at the University of

Adelaide that these walls had significant, load bearing, shear and lateral resistance together with earthquake,

fire resistance and thermal properties. With an abundance of gypsum (naturally occurring and by-product

chemical FGD and phospho gypsums) available worldwide gypcrete based building products, which are fully

recyclable offer significant environmental benefits.

[edit]Ice

Ice was used by the Inuit for igloos, but has also been used for ice hotels as a tourist attraction in northern

areas that might not otherwise see many winter tourists.

[edit]Sand

Used with cement and sometimes lime, to make mortar for masonry work and plaster. Sand is used as a part of

the concrete mix.

[edit]Concrete

Falkirk Wheel

Concrete is a composite building material made from the combination of aggregate and a binder such

as cement. The most common form of concrete is Portland cement concrete, which consists of mineral

aggregate (generally gravel and sand), portland cement  andwater. After mixing, the cement hydrates and

eventually hardens into a stone-like material. When used in the generic sense, this is the material referred to by

the term concrete.

For a concrete construction of any size, as concrete has a rather low tensile strength, it is generally

strengthened using steel rods or bars (known as rebars). This strengthened concrete is then referred to

as reinforced concrete. In order to minimise any air bubbles, that would weaken the structure, a vibrator is used

to eliminate any air that has been entrained when the liquid concrete mix is poured around the ironwork.

Concrete has been the predominant building material in this modern age due to its longevity, formability, and

ease of transport. Recent advancements, such as Insulating concrete forms, combine the concrete forming and

other construction steps (installation of insulation). All materials must be taken in required proportions as

described in standards.

[edit]Metal

MIT Stata Center

Metal is used as structural framework for larger buildings such as skyscrapers, or as an external surface

covering. There are many types of metals used for building. Steel is a metal alloy whose major component

is iron, and is the usual choice for metal structural building materials. It is strong, flexible, and if refined well

and/or treated lasts a long time. Corrosion is metal's prime enemy when it comes to longevity.

The lower density and better corrosion resistance of aluminium alloys and tin sometimes overcome their

greater cost. Brass was more common in the past, but is usually restricted to specific uses or specialty items

today.

Metal figures quite prominently in prefabricated structures such as the Quonset hut, and can be seen used in

most cosmopolitan cities. It requires a great deal of human labor to produce metal, especially in the large

amounts needed for the building industries.

Other metals used include titanium, chrome, gold, silver. Titanium can be used for structural purposes, but it is

much more expensive than steel. Chrome, gold, and silver are used as decoration, because these materials

are expensive and lack structural qualities such as tensile strength or hardness.

[edit]Glass

British Museum Great Court

Glassmaking is considered an art form as well as an industrial process or material.

Clear windows have been used since the invention of glass to cover small openings in a building. They

provided humans with the ability to both let light into rooms while at the same time keeping inclement weather

outside. Glass is generally made from mixtures of sand and silicates, in a very hot fire stove called a kiln and is

very brittle. Very often additives are added to the mixture when making to produce glass with shades of colors

or various characteristics (such as bulletproof glass, or light emittance).

The use of glass in architectural buildings has become very popular in the modern culture. Glass "curtain walls"

can be used to cover the entire facade of a building, or it can be used to span over a wide roof structure in a

"space frame". These uses though require some sort of frame to hold sections of glass together, as glass by

itself is too brittle and would require an overly large kiln to be used to span such large areas by itself.

[edit]Plastic

Plastic pipes penetrating a concrete floor in a Canadian highrise apartment building

The term plastics covers a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic condensation orpolymerization products

that can be molded or extruded into objects or films or fibers. Their name is derived from the fact that in their

semi-liquid state they are malleable, or have the property of plasticity. Plastics vary immensely in heat

tolerance, hardness, and resiliency. Combined with this adaptability, the general uniformity of composition and

lightness of plastics ensures their use in almost all industrial applications today.

[edit]Foam

Foamed plastic sheet to be used as backing for firestop mortar  at CIBC bank inToronto.

More recently synthetic polystyrene or polyurethane foam has been used in combination with structural

materials, such as concrete. It is light weight, easily shaped and an excellent insulator. It is usually used as part

of a structural insulated panel where the foam is sandwiched between wood or cement or insulating concrete

forms, where concrete is sandwiched between two layers of foam.

[edit]Cement composites

Cement bonded composites are made of hydrated cement paste that binds wood or alike particles or fibers to

make pre-cast building components. Various fiberous materials including paper and fiberglass have been used

as binders.

Wood and natural fibres are composed of various soluble organic compounds like carbohydrates, glycosides

and phenolics. These compounds are known to retard cement setting. Therefore, before using a wood in

making cement boned composites, its compatibility with cement is assessed.

Wood-cement compatibility is the ratio of a parameter related to the property of a wood-cement composite to

that of a neat cement paste. The compatibility is often expressed as a percentage value. To determine wood-

cement compatibility, methods based on different properties are used, such as, hydration characteristics,

strength, interfacial bond and morphology. Various methods are used by researchers such as the

measurement of hydration characteristics of a cement-aggregate mix;[1][2][3] the comparison of the mechanical

properties of cement-aggregate mixes[4][5] and the visual assessment of microstructural properties of the wood-

cement mixes.[6] It has been found that the hydration test by measuring the change in hydration temperature

with time is the most convenient method. Recently, Karade et al.[7] have reviewed these methods of

compatibility assessment and suggested a method based on the ‘maturity concept’ i.e. taking in consideration

both time and temperature of cement hydration reaction.

[edit]Modern industry

Modern building is a multibillion dollar industry, and the production and harvesting of raw materials for building

purposes is on a world wide scale. Often being a primarygovernmental and trade keypoint between

nations. Environmental concerns are also becoming a major world topic concerning the availability

and sustainability of certain materials, and the extraction of such large quantities needed for the human habitat.

[edit]Building products

In the market place t the term building products often refers to the ready-made

particles/sections, made from various materials, that are fitted in architectural hardware and

decorative hardware parts of a building. The list of building products exclusively exclude the

building materials, which are used to construct the building architecture and supporting

fixtures like windows, doors, cabinets, etc. Building products do not make any part of a

bajingo rather they support and make them working in a modular fashion.

It also can refer to items used to put such hardware together such as glues, caulking, paint,

and anything else bought for the purpose of constructing a building

Moisture accumulation in the building envelope reduces the structural integrity of the wall and can lead to mold infestation. When appropriate moisture management methods are not incorporated in to the wall it can lead to failures in many of the wall’s components including the premature blistering or cracking of exterior finishes on claddings such as wood, fiber-cement, brick, stucco, or stone.

Rainscreen Products

Home Slicker® - The unique, vertically-channeled, three-dimensional rainscreen matrix of Home Slicker provides a continuous space for drainage and drying, a thermal break and pressure equalization — eliminating the threat of trapped moisture.

Home Slicker® Plus Typar® - A cost-effective, labor and material saving, moisture eliminating rainscreen combined with a water resistive barrier. Each roll contains the patented Home Slicker three-dimensional rainscreen matrix bonded to Typar, the premium residential and commercial grade housewrap.

Home Slicker® Stone & Stucco - A vertically channeled rainscreen that has been specifically designed for use with manufactured stone, natural stone, stucco, and masonry applications. Each roll contains the patented Home Slicker three-dimensional rainscreen matrix bonded to a fabric which prevents mortar from entering the wall cavity during cladding installation.

Drainable Housewrap

HydroGap Drainable Housewrap™ - the newest moisture management product from Benjamin Obdyke. This product allows construction professionals to effectively eliminate excess moisture and prevent the damaging effects of mold and rot resulting in a better built wall. Its unique design removes at least 100X more bulk water from a wall versus standard housewraps. This is achieved through the one millimeter spacer bonded to the high performance housewrap. This “GAP” provides a positive drainage space between the sheathing and cladding material.

Mortar Deflection Products

Blockade™ Mortar Deflection System - Designed specifically for use in brick wall cavities the entangled matrix design of the Blockade Mortar Deflection System blocks mortar from clogging the weep holes and allows excess moisture to flow freely out of the wall cavity. The result is a brick wall that is built to stand the test of time and remains free from the deteriorating effects of mold and mildew.

Typar® is a registered trademark of Fiberweb, Inc.

As a leading provider of high-quality roof and wall building solutions, Benjamin Obdyke offers today's building professionals a unique set of advantages — high-quality, innovative ridge vent, rainscreen and moisture management products backed by more than a century of in-depth industry know-how and attention to detail. Here at Benjamin Obdyke, we

understand that our responsibility to architects, builders, and installers is more than just "making products". In support of this, Benjamin Obdyke provides a wealth of product knowledge and support aimed at helping building professionals to "build better" every step of the way. For more information on our ridge vent, rainscreen and other moisture management systems products please see out product FAQ's.

Protect the life of your roof by controlling moisture with our unique underlayment products. Each prolongs the life of the roof materials, creating a roof assembly built to stand the test of time.

Cedar Breather® - This moisture management underlayment protects the beauty and life of wood roofing by providing a space for continuous airflow between the solid roof deck and shingles or shakes.

More than any other part of your house, the roof is subject to extremely high heat, both on and under the roof deck. In the summer, on a clear 90°F day, the sun can heat the roof shingles to 170°F. Without adequate ventilation, heat can build up to as high as 140°F inside the attic, temperatures which can damage shingles. Eventually this uncontrolled hot air can penetrate the home's living space, warming the area below and causing increased demands on air conditioners and increased utility costs. A properly ventilated attic that utilizes Benjamin Obdyke ridge vent products enables excess heat to escape outside, allowing the roof to maintain its structural integrity, and improving insulation performance.

Roll Vent® - The most innovative, effective ridge vent that protects roofing from the deteriorating forces of excess heat and moisture build-up.

Rapid Ridge® - This nail gun-able ridge vent offers the quickest installation of any rolled roof ventilation product on the market, complete with superior weather and insect infiltration protection.

Cougar® Ridge Vent - This easy to install classic style ridge vent is made from nylon matrix technology. It can be installed by hand or with a pneumatic nail gun (coil nails are included).

Xtractor Vent® family of products - A full line of externally baffled, shingle over ridge vent products are specifically designed to extract heat and moisture out of the attic.

 

With a tradition of innovation in building products since 1868, Benjamin Obdyke is one of America's leading providers of high-quality roof ventilation and wall moisture management building products. Driven by the goal to always “build better”, we constantly develop and add new advances to our product offerings by listening to the needs of the architect and builder communities as well as our distribution partners.

Our moisture management products include ridge vents, rainscreens and other moisture management related building supplies.

Our products enhance the building system to maximize the performance, durability, and value of a building's most critical elements — its outer structure. When you “build better” with Benjamin Obdyke, you build to last.

Sand and Clay

Before you build anything, the land needs to be graded level and the topsoil removed. It is a good idea to elevate the foundation above grade level for better drainage. To do this, you will need a layer of fill that will elevate the structure and provide a route for rain water to drain down away from the home.

The bulldozer used for grading will put down a layer of sand and clay to provide the drainage medium. The weight of the bulldozer packs the sand and clay mixture down, and a couple of days' exposure to the sun will make it hard.

Concrete

In areas where the climate is mild, many homes have crawlspace foundations made of concrete blocks. Other areas will have poured

concrete foundations where the concrete is poured into plywood forms reinforced with steel. Insulated concrete forms are covered with foam as insulation to make the home more energy efficient.

According to the University of Illinois, concrete is a composite of cement, water and sand. It was used by the ancient Romans to build colossal structures such as the Colosseum and large arched domes.

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Fly Ash Concrete

Today fly ash is often used instead of cement. Fly ash, a coal byproduct, makes strong, lower cost and lighter weight concrete. According to Tool Base Services, this lightweight concrete uses less water and is easier to pour.

According to the University of North Dakota, the first large scale use of fly ash concrete was in the construction of Hungry Horse Dam in Montana. Fly ash concrete is also used to form lightweight concrete blocks for construction.

Preservative Treated Wood

Preservative treated wood is a cost-effective solution in building foundations. The wood is pressure infused with preservative chemicals. It can be used for the construction of crawlspace stem walls and basements.

Wood foundations are lighter, easier and faster to build, and do not require a poured concrete base to build on. According to Tool Base Services, more than 300,000 homes have been built in the United States with preservative treated wood foundations.

Materials & construction

Stone. Timber. Wrought iron. Where men live, they build. What they build can be as important to your setting as where they live. Whether they build squat, sod houses in the prairie where the bulrush grass grows or under the eves of the Larch trees upon the slopes of the Vorelberg Mountains you must determine the type of habitation and what materials were used in its construction.Below you find terms laid out and defined and lists from which you can cull your own material and design the habitation that best suits your setting.

Materials

Adobe: A sun dried brick derived from a yellow silt or clay deposited by rivers.Brick: A block of clay hardened by drying in the sun or burning in a kiln. Bricks come in numerous shapes and sizes. Bricks come in numerous densities and hardness depending on the baking process, parent material and the material mixed with it for hardening (pebbles, hay, grass, twigs ect).Brick & Timber: Mud brick is different than normal bricks in that it is made from puddled mud which is later gathered, molded and sun dried. It is durable enough for light load bearing and can be carved fairly easily after drying. All external walls using this material are covered with linseed oil to help prevent weathering. This makes a poor brick in areas with extreme weather.Cloth and Poles (pavilion, tent): Canvas, cotton and even silk are placed on poles to form makeshift or temporary structures. Shape and size are limited only to the weight of the material, strength of the supporting poles and the innovation of the builder. These do not hold up well in extreme weather conditions.Earth, Rammed: Soils with high clay contents are pulverized moistened and dumped into frames or formed into walls. Compaction is created by ramming. These buildings are allowed to sun dry. Structurally sound and weather resistant, these buildings survive for several hundred years or more.Felt (yurt): Similar to cloth and pole constructions, yurts use hides from animals instead of cloth. These are generally heavier and more durable constructions. Framing devices can be wood, iron or bone and come in many shapes including circular, square, and hexagonal. They include tepees and all related constructions.Grass and Poles/Sticks (hogan, hut, shack, wickiup):Popular in very dry areas, these constructions consist of poles and sticks interwoven with grasses and branches to form small structures. Often times these structures are recessed into the ground several feet or more.Metal Sheet: Thin sheets of metal including gold, copper, bronze, steel and aluminum or others, used for siding or roofing in architecture. This includes corrugated metal. Sheet metal is used to protect exposed surfaces or for aesthetic reasons, rather than load bearing.Matting: A course fabric of rushes, grass, straw, hemp, or the like used for wrapping, covering floors, etc.Plaster & Board/Timber: Wooden structures are covered in a moistened mud, clay or soil for added protection and insolation. Mud and clay plasters are only use in drier climates.Sod: A square or rectangular section cut or torn from the surface of grassland containing the matted roots of grass. Used in regions where there is little or no tree growth. Sod

houses tend to be squat but solid constructions.Stone: Limestone, marble, granite, sandstone and other durable rocks are used for construction. These rocks are altered and polished for specific needs and come in almost any shape imaginable. They are load bearing and durable often lasting thousands of years or more. Stone is used as facing, for internal support and augments or is augmented by brick and timber constructions.Timber: The most widely used material for building. It is light, durable, strong and easily managed. Woods range widely in density and durability.Wattle: Rods or stakes interwoven with twigs or tree branches. Wattle is used for making fences, walls etc. Also refers to basket manufacturing, the interweave. These are not very durable nor are they strong.Wattle & Daub: The employment of Wattle, mud and clay for the construction of buildings. The mud is smeared into the wattle. Depending on the parent material, drying conditions and density of the wattle, these can be long lasting and fairly durable constructions.

Metals

Aluminum: A silvery metal, remarkable for its light weight and malleability and resistance to oxidation. It is found abundantly in clay.Antimony: A silvery white brittle metal used in alloys with other metals to harden them and increase their resistance to chemical action.Bismuth: A greyish-white, red tinted, brittle metal that is often found in a crystalized state in other metals, particularly cobalt. Chiefly used in making alloys of low melting points.Brass: A yellowish metal that is an alloy of copper and zinc. Known for its hardness and durability.Bronze: See below.Copper: See below.Electrum: See below.Gold: See below.Iron: A white metal that is malleable and ductile. It is the most common and useful of all the metals.Iron, Cast: A hard, rigid and strong, nonmalleable ironcarbon alloy made by casting.Iron, Magnetic (Lodestone): A strong magnetic variety of the mineral magnetite.Iron, Meteoric: Iron usually alloyed with nickel and cobalt. Found in meteorites.Iron, Wrought: A soft, ductile, malleable iron containing some slag and some carbon. It cannot be tempered or easily fused.Latten: Brass or a brass-like alloy hammered into thin sheets.Lead: A heavy, soft malleable bluish-gray metal used in piping an in numerous alloys.Lodestone: See Iron, Magnetic above.Magnesium: A light silver white metal, that is malleable and ductile used in making several alloys.Mercury: A heavy silver, white metal liquid at ordinary temperatures, quick silver.Nickel: See following page.Nickel Silver (Nickel and Copper): See below.Nickel Steel: A steel alloy made harder than ordinary steel by adding small amounts of nickel.Pewter (Lead and Zinc): An alloy of tin with lead, brass or copper that takes on a grayish luster when polished.

Platinum: See below.Silver: See below.Steel: A hard metal composed of iron alloy with carbon added. Steel made be alloyed with other metals to make specific properties such as resistance to rust.Tin: A soft silver white metallic element, malleable at room temperatures. Capable of a high polish and used as an alloy.Titanium: A dark gray lustrous metal found in rutile and other minerals, used as cleaning agent in molten steel.Zinc: Bluish white in color it is used as a protective coating for iron and as a constituent for various alloys.

Metals, The Complete Precious Metalsmith

Pure metal is 24 carat, or .999 fine in regards to silver, and alloys of it are indicated by the number in carats, or percentage of silver, of the main metal in the alloy. They are cataloged in order of value.Platinum: The hardest of precious metals. It is worth c. 125% to 250% its weight in gold, even more if the smelting process employed in the fantasy milieu demands magical heat. It does not tarnish. It is a silvery metal with a soft and lustrous sheen. Platinum is very seldom alloyed with other metals.Gold: The softest of precious metals. It does not tarnish. Usually in an alloy with other metals to increase its hardness. There are three general sorts of gold used in jewelry:Yellow gold (18 carat): 75% gold, 15% silver, 10% copper. Value c. 77% pure gold.Red gold (18 carat): 75% gold, 20% copper, 5% silver. Value c. 76% pure gold.White gold (18 carat): 75% gold, 25% silver. Value c. 78% pure gold.Electrum: A fairly hard alloy when compared to gold. An alloy of 24 carat gold and .999 fine silver, usually in equal proportions. It has a value of about 55% pure gold when alloyed in equal proportions. It tarnishes somewhat because of the silver content of the alloy. Electrum looks much like pale white gold.Silver: A moderately soft metal worth about 1/60 to 1/ 100th its weight in gold. Silver tarnishes from exposure to air and other substances.Nickel: A moderately hard metal that is the next to the least valuable of the pure ores of the group. It is worth around 20% its weight in .999 fine silver. Nickel tarnishes only slowly and to little extent, and polishing restores its shine. It has a soft silver-gray luster.Nickel Silver: A moderately hard metal because of the combined metals used. An alloy of 50% copper and 50% nickel for increased hardness and little tarnishing. Value c. 17% .999 fine silver.Copper: A moderately soft metal that is the least valuable of the group. It is worth around 9% to 12% its weight in silver. Copper tarnishes (corrodes) when exposed to air, but polishing restores its shine.Bronze: A moderately hard metal because of the combined metals used. An alloy of 50% copper and 50% tin for increased hardness. Tarnishing is common, with verdigris apparent when oxidation of the metal occurs. Value c. 70% pure copper when used in equal proportions. Bronze had a copper-brown, or sometimes golden-brown hue when more copper is used (c.60%).

Fantastic Metals

Adamantite/Adamantium: If not the hardest, certainly one of the hardest of fantastic metals. It accepts magical enchantments, and it is worth at least five times its weight in platinum. Its weight is about 25% that of steel. It does not rust and is not a conductor of electricity. It holds an edge. It is a deep indigo metal with a soft and lustrous sheen.Adamantite is sometimes alloyed with other metals, mainly steel in armor and weapons.Mithril: A very hard fantastic precious metal. It accepts magical enchantments, and it is worth at least three times its weight in platinum. Its weight is about 60% that of steel. It does not rust or tarnish. It holds an edge. It is a bright, silver metal near to chrome in its appearance. Mithral is sometimes alloyed with other metals, silver for ornamentation, steel for armor and weapons.Oracalc/Oracalcum: A very rare, hard and flexible fantastic metal with utmost tensile strength. It is worth at least 10 times its weight in platinum. Its weight is about 50% that of steel. It does not rust or tarnish, and it is a non-conductor of electricity. It holds an edge. Although extremely difficult to work, it can be forged as flexible or unyielding. It is a glowing, golden-copper color metal near to chrome it its appearance. Oracalcum is sometimes alloyed with other metals, silver for ornamentation, steel for strength etc.Tilferium: A rare and exceptionally hard fantastic metal with great tensile strength and the capacity to “store” magical force. It is worth at around two times its weight in platinum. Its weight is about 20% that of steel. It corrodes very slowly when exposed to strong alkaline substances. It does not hold an edge well.It is a dull gray-green in node form. One ounce of the metal contains, and can contain, sufficient magical energy to power one spell of middling sort. Tilferium is always alloyed with other metals, the maximum part of any sucmix being one-tenth. This is done to strengthen the alloy and to allow the containment of magical energy placed within such objects as are ten forged from the alloy.Xagium: A very rare and very hard fantastic metal with incredible tensile strength and the capacity to “store” magical force. It is worth at around four times its weight in platinum. Its weight is about 50% that of steel. It does not rust or tarnish, and it is a non-conductor of electricity. It holds an edge of great keenness very well. Although difficult to work, it can be forged as flexible or unyielding. The metal has a dark metallic blue color that tints other metals with which it is alloyed. One ounce of the metal contains, and can contain, sufficient magical energy to power one spell of highest sort, or about 150% the energy of tilferium (see above). Xagium is always alloyed with other metals, the maximum part of any such mix being one-eighth, thus giving that much blue color to the mixture. This is done to strengthen the alloy, give flexibility and durability to it, and to allow the containment of magical energy placed within such objects forged from the alloy.

Table: Magical Metals for the d20 System

(Suggestions, to be considered for conversion later)

Metal Bonus Hardness Hit PointsWeight ft.

cubicMelts at

F

Adamantite +4 20 40/inch of 125# 3000

thickness

Mithril +3 1530/inch of thickness

300# 3500

Oracalcum*

+5 2545/inch of thickness

225# 4500

Tilferium +3 1430/inch of thickness

700# 3700

Xagium* +4 1835/inch of thickness

100# 3850

Adamantite: Gives a +4 bonus to magical arms and armor made from this metal. If wearing armor made from this metal, any electrical-based magical attacks do only half damage with no save, and no damage with a successful saving throw.Mithril: Gives a +3 bonus to magical arms and armor made from this metal.Oracalcum: Gives a +5 bonus to magical arms and armor made from this metal. If wearing armor made from this metal, any electrical-based magical attacks do only half damage with no save, and no damage with a successful saving throw. Any cold or fire-based spells do half damage with no save, and one quarter damage with a successful saving throw.Tilferium: Gives a +3 bonus to armor made from this metal. If wearing armor or using another magic item of this metal, it gives the user a Spell Resistance of 12 + caster level (up to 20, if the character is a spell caster).Xagium: Gives a +4 bonus to arms and armor made fro this metal. If wearing armor made from this metal, any electrical-based magical attacks do only half damage with no save, and no damage with a successful saving throw. Also, If wearing armor or using another magic item of this metal, it gives the user a Spell Resistance of 15 + caster level (up to 25, if the character is a spell caster).

Items other than arms and armor, such as rings, rods, staves, wands, etc. can be made from these metals with the same bonuses and resistances.

Table: Value of Certain Metals per Ounce (gold & silver) for the d20 system

Metal Value (approx)

Platinum 50gp

Gold 25gp

Electrum 135sp

Silver 5sp

Nickel 1sp

Nickel-Silver

25cp

Copper 5cp

Bronze 4-5cp

Adamantite 250gp

Mithril 150gp

Oracalcum 500gp

Tilferium 100gp

Xagium 200gp

Table: MOH’s Hardness Scale

Hardness Material Note

1 TalcEasily scratched by the fingernail; equal to a pencil “lead” 1-2 or plaster of paris.

2 GypsumJust scratched by the fingernail, 2.5; equal to limestone or a seashell.

3 Calcite Scratches and is scratched by a copper coin of 3.5; gold or

silver in the 2.5 to 3.

4 FluoriteNot scratched by a copper coin and does not scratch glass; equal to brass at 4, platinum at 4 to 4.5 is a bit harder.

5 ApatiteJust scratches glass and is easily scratched by a steel knife; equal to iron at 4.5 to 5, but glass is 5.5 to 6.

6 OrthoclaseEasily scratches glass and is just scratched by a file; iron pyrite 6.5, steel file 6.5 to 7.

7 Quartz Not scratched by a file unless of hardened steel alloy at 7.5.

8 Topaz N/A.

9 Corundum N/A.

10 Diamond N/A.

Table: Continuation of Hardness Scale

A modified scale to include magic materials.

Hardness Material Note

0 Liquid N/A

1 TalcEasily scratched by the fingernail; equal to a pencil “lead” 1-2 or plaster of paris.

2 GypsumJust scratched by the fingernail, 2.5; equal to limestone or a seashell.

3 CalciteScratches and is scratched by a copper coin of 3.5; gold or silver in the 2.5 to 3.

4 Fluorite Not scratched by a copper coin and does not scratch glass;

equal to brass at 4, platinum at 4 to 4.5 is a bit harder.

5 ApatiteJust scratches glass and is easily scratched by a steel knife; equal to iron at 4.5 to 5, but glass is 5.5 to 6.

6 OrthoclaseEasily scratches glass and is just scratched by a file; iron pyrite 6.5, steel file 6.5 to 7.

7Vitreous pure silica

not scratched by a file unless of hardened steel at 7.5

8 Quartz just scratched by magic-enhanced steel

9 Topaz just scratched by powerfully magic-enhanced steel

10 Garnet just scratched by mithril

11 Fuzed zirconia just scratched by adamantite

12 Fuzed alumina just scratched by tilferium

13 Silicon carbide just scratched by magic-enhanced mithril

14 Boron carbide just scratched by magic-enhanced adamantite

15 Diamond just scratched by magic-enhanced tilferium

Wood

Alder: A tree which grows in moist land whose bark is used in dyeing and tanning. The wood is used for bridges and piles because it is resistant to underwater rot.Ash, White: Tough elastic wood with a straight, close grain.Ash, European: See above.Balsa: A very light, strong wood, used for raft construction.Basswood: A light soft durable wood.Beech: A large-sized tree that produces hard woods. The smooth bark of a beech tree was used for writing upon.Birch: A hard, smoot-grained wood whose bark strips off in layers. Birch wood is most valued in furniture construction.

Brazilwood: A reddish wood that is capable of yielding a red dye.Cedar: Used for the durability of the wood. Associated with a fragrant building material as well.Cherry: A hard, durable wood that is most commonly used in the construction of furniture, handles, toys, etc.Cocobolo: A hardwood tree that is used in cabinet work and tool making.Elm, Dutch & English: Tall, hardy shade trees whose wood makes a hard, heavy wood. The wood is finegrained and valuable for its resistance to splitting.Elm, Ebony: See above.Hickory, White: A tough wood used for construction of houses, fences and the like.Kingwood: A Brazilian wood used much in cabinet work because of its streaks of violet tints.Lime: See Basswood above.Mahogany: A hardwood that is commonly used in furniture, it varies in color from reddish-brown to yellow.Maple: A hard, close-grained wood used for furniture making and flooring. Colors range from reddish to yellow.Maple, Hard: See above.Oak: The wood is hard, tough, relatively flexible, resistant to water and not too heavy. It bares weather changes far more than most other woods. It is valued in all manner of construction from flooring, furniture, millwork, cross ties, mine timbers, fenceposts, houses and ships. The bark is used in tannin.White Plane: As sycamore.Poplar, European: These trees are tall and fast growing with soft wood. A hybrid poplar tree which produces a superior type of timber.Brazilian Rosewood: A hard, reddish-black streaked wood with a rose-like odor. Used for making furniture.Sycamore: A tree common in the middle east, growing large and to a great height. It is used in almost all facets of building construction.Sycamore, Indian: See above.Teak: A large tree with a yellowish-brown wood highly prized in ship building.Walnut, Black: A large hardwood, whose wood is highly prized and used for furniture, gunstocks and vaneer.Yellow Boxwood: A yellowish, fine, close-grained wood used in engraving, instrument making and in fine woodwork.

Stone

There are three basic types of rock; igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.Igneous rocks are formed from melted rocks which have cooled. The heating occurs deep in the earth and the cooling near the surface. They are generally course grained though quickly cooled rocks. Those, such as obsidian, are not. Most have crystalline structure in them. These are created during the molten stage. Examples:Obsidian (volcanic glass), granite, basalt, and andesite porphyry.Sedimentary rocks are formed at the surface of the Earth, either in water or on land. They are layered accumulations of sediments, fragments of rocks, minerals, or animal or plant material. They are held together by minerals, chemicals or electrical actions. They generally form parallel to the earth’s surface and only change their orientation due to tectonic or

volcanic activities. The degree of compaction nature of the parent material indicates the hardness of the rock. Examples: Sandstone, limestone, shale.Metamorphic rocks are sedimentary or igneous rocks which have changed due to high pressures or intense heat. This generally occurs deep under the earth’s surface. The process transforms the rocks into denser and more compact rock. The process can also separate the fine mineral grains found in many sedimentary and igneous rocks to form pure minerals.

Rock Hardness scale and representative samples; Many rocks have varying strengths depending on parent material and formation processes.Very weak: Weakly compacted and weathered sedimentary rocks; sandstones, shale.Weak: Weakly cemented sedimentary rocks; schist sandstones, shale, slate, limestone.Medium: Competent sedimentary rocks; some low-density coarse-grained igneous rocks, sandstones, slate, limestone.Strong: Competent igneous rocks; some metamorphic rocks and fine-grained sandstones, granite, basalt, marble, slate, limestone.Very strong: Quartzites; dense fine-grained igneous rocks, diorite, basalt, marble, slate, steel, limestone.

Alabaster: Smooth white translucent stone with a band.Basalt: A dark gray to black dense stone.Chert: Usually a dark flint, of fine grained igneous rock.Conglomerate: A rock composed of compacted stones.Gneiss: A hard-core foliated metamorphic rock similar to granite.Granite: A very hard crystalline metemorphic rock ranging in colors from pink to black.Greenstone: A fine-grained, hard metamorphosed rock of various shades of green.Limestone: A soft sedimentary rock ususally formed on the sea floor.Marble: A very hard crystalline limestone.Obsidian: A very fine-grained, quickly cooled metemorphic rock, similar to basalt in structure.Phyllite: A shiny, corrugated rock that slate turns into under heat and pressure.Pumice: A very light, cavity filled volcanic rock.Quartzite: A crystalline mineral with hexegonal formation with cloudy to transparent coloration.Sandstone: A common sedimentary rock of various densities and colors.Slate: A hard metamorphic rock that fractures into rather thin slices.Tuff: A rock made of volcanic ash that can be extremely strong or very weak.

Other Materials

Bamboo: A tropical plant which reaches heights in excess of 100 feet. The mature plant is used to build house frames, furniture, ships masts and so forth. Smaller stalks are used for poles, instruments etc.Bone: A firm, hard substance, dull white in color. Used to build small furniture and or decorative items.Ceramic: Of pottery, earthenware, tile, porcelain etc.Cloth: A woven, knitted or pressed fabric of fibrous material, such as wool, hair, cotton, flax, hemp. Used for garments or household furnishings.

Horn: An animal by-product, used to create weapons, drinking cups, beakers, flasks or decorative items.Ivory: An animal by product from tusks or horns. Used to make any number of items from teeth to combs, and handles for weapons.Leather: Material consisting of animal skin after tanning. Used to make armor, clothing, tack etc.Rattan: A form of palm tree used to make wicker work, walking sticks, thongs, ropes, etc.Wicker: A small pliant twig. When woven together it makes basket work, furniture and like items.

General Information of the Period

Bate: The liquid for softening rawhide was called bate. It was a mixture of water and dog feces.Cement: Cement was made by heating chalk or limestone in a furnace or oven. Then by mixing it with water and sand in proper proportions a concretion was made.Daub: The plaster-like material called daub is made from clay, dung, and horsehair, water added for pliability.Fleece Wash: Because sheep fleece is full of lanolin (greasy oil), they were washed before being dried, rolled, and stored for later disposal. The mixture used was water and urine.Grammercy: An isolated farm house; a farmstead attached to a monastery.Lime Wash: Powdered lime for cement was mixed with water to make a white wash that sealed and protected daub and stone alike.Multure: Payment for milling grain was known as multure. The payment was in kind, from 1/12th to 1/24th of the flour produced by milling paid to the owner of the mill.Rive: The method of cutting timber with an axe, producing stronger beams this way than could be done by sawing, is called riving.Wattle: The latticework of woven reeds such as cat-tails and/or twigs and branches was typically from hazel or willow laced onto poles.

Misc Tables

1 -Tensile Strength per Square Inch; The number of # of pressure required to break metal.2 -Melting Points, Temperature in Degrees Fahrenheit;Note: The heat of a common fire is 790 degrees F. The heat of an alcohol fire is 1700 degrees F. The heat of a coal gas fire augmented by a blowpipe is 2200 degrees F. The heat of an oxygen-hydrogen gas fire augmented by a blowpipe is 2400 degrees F.3 - Materials’ Resistance to Crushing Material is crushed by the number of tons indicated.

Material# pressure required to

break metal.Melting Points in

FahrenheitCrushed by #

of Tons

Ash Wood N/a N/a 4.3

Beech Wood, Seasoned

N/a N/a 9.5

Birch Wood, Seasoned

N/a N/a 5.8

Aluminum / 1220 N/a

Antimony / 1166 N/a

Bismuth / 176 N/a

Brass 42,000 1900 5.1

Brick N/a N/a 0.4

Brick, Fire N/a N/a 0.9

Brickwork N/a N/a 0.3

Bronze / 1922 N/a

Cedar Wood N/a N/a 2.9

Copper wire 61,200 2160 N/a

Copper, cast 19,000 2160 N/a

Copper, wrought 34,000 2160 N/a

Elder Wood N/a N/a 4.9

Elm Wood, Seasoned

N/a N/a 5.1

Fir wood, Spruce N/a N/a 3.4

Gold, cast 20,000 1983 N/a

Granite N/a N/a 5.5

Iron wire 103,000 2795 N/a

Iron, bar 72,000 2795 N/a

Iron, cast 27,000 2795 49.0

Iron, Plate N/a 2795 16.0

Lead 880 594 N/a

Mahogany Wood N/a N/a 4.0

Magnesium / 1202 N/a

Mercury / -38 N/a

Nickel / 2647 N/a

Oak Wood N/a N/a 2.9

Oak Wood, Seasoned

N/a N/a 3.7

Pine Wood, Yellow N/a N/a 2.7

Pine Wood, Pitch N/a N/a 3.3

Platinum wire 53,000 3221 N/a

Silver, cast 40,000 1763 N/a

Stone, Ashlar Block N/a N/a 5.3

Steel 120,000 2800 N/a

Sycamore Wood, Seasoned

N/a N/a 6.0

Tin 5,000 421 N/a

Tin-bismuth alloy / 283 N/a

Titanium / 3020 N/a

Walnut Wood N/a N/a 3.6

Zinc 3,500 787 N/a

Table: Weight of Things

One cubic foot of the following things weighs in pounds

Material Weight in Pounds

Alabaster 170

Aluminum 161

Amber 68

Antimony 414

Bismuth 613

Borax 107

Brass 520-525

Bricks 120-125

Bronze 520-545

Chalk 174

Charcoal, Hardwood 18.5

Charcoal, Softwood 18

Chromium 406

Clay 135

Clay, Hardpan 160

Coal, Hard (Anthracite) 54

Coal, Soft (Bituminous) 50

Copper 555

Copper (6’ x 3.5’-2.5’ x 2’) ingot 11.56#

Coral 169

Cork 15

Diamond 220

Emery 250

Flint 162

Glass 180

Gold 1203

Gold (6’ x 3.5’-2.5’ x 2’) ingot 24.37#

Hematite 316

Iron, Cast 454

Iron, Rolled 487

Iron, Wrought 485

Ivory 114

Jadeite 209

Jet 84

Lapis Lazuli 169

Lead 709

Lime, Quick 50

Magnesium 109

Malachite 241

Mercury 848

Nephrite 188

Nickel 556

Obsidian 156

Olive Oil 59

Onyx Marble 169

Phosphorus 128

Platinum 1213

Platinum (6’ x 3.5’-2.5’ x 2’) ingot 25.37#

Quartz 166

Sand, dry 95

Silver 654

Silver (6’ x 3.5’-2.5’ x 2’) ingot 13.62#

Soil, Common 124

Steel 490

Stone Limestone 165

Stone, Granite 165

Stone, Marble 171

Stone, Paving 150

Stone, Sandstone 130

Stone, Slate 167

Sulfur 129

Tallow 59

Tin 456

Tungsten 1194

Turquoise 169

Water, Fresh 62.5

Water, Salt 64.3

White Lead 198

Wood, Alder 50

Wood, Apple 49.5

Wood, Ash 48

Wood, Beech 46

Wood, Cedar 35

Wood, Cherry 44.5

Wood, Ebony 83.3

Wood, Elm 44

Wood, Hickory 52.4

Wood, Logwood 57.4

Wood, Mahogany 57

Wood, Maple 46.8

Wood, Mulberry 56

Wood, Oak 45-55

Wood, Oak, live 70

Wood, Pear 41.4

Wood, Pine 34-43

Wood, Pine, White 30

Wood, Pine, Yellow 42

Wood, Plum 49

Wood, Poplar 46

Wood, Quince 44

Wood, Sassafras 30.1

Wood, Yew 49.8

Zinc 439

Information about our materials list

INCLUDED IN THE MATERIALS LIST:

1. FRAMING OF THE STRUCTURE

Ø Materials required for building the exterior walls and floors: studs, sill plates, beams,

joists, lintels, posts, sheets of plywood, wood furring.

2. ROOF

Ø Materials used for the roof: sheets of plywood, valleys, vents, soffits, fascia, finishing

materials such as asphalt shingles or pre-painted metal sheet for example.

3. INTERIOR DIVISIONS

Ø Materials required for building the interior walls and bearing walls: studs, sill plates,

lintels, posts, drywall and acoustic insulation if needed.

4. OPENINGS

Ø The sizes of all openings are specified in the materials list as well as on the

construction plans.

o WINDOWS : the type is specified (casement, double-hung…), but the level of

quality is not mentioned.

o DOORS : the size and type (standard, sliding, folding…) are specified for all

interior and exterior doors, but the level of quality is not mentioned.

5. PORCH

Ø Materials for building all porches, decks, or terraces: Posts, beams, floor joists,

sheets of plywood or wood planks, water-proofing membrane, and railings.

6. INSULATION

Ø These materials are suggested for good energy efficiency. This refers to materials

used to insulate the foundations, the exterior walls, ceilings & floors.

7. WEATHER-PROOFING

Ø Materials required to make the house water- proof and air-tight: air-barrier, vapourbarrier and sealant.

8. FINISHES

Ø Door and window frames, mouldings for bottom of walls, length of railings, number of

stair treads and risers, exterior siding such as brick, horizontal siding, or acrylic for

example.

9. PLUMBING

Ø A list of all plumbing accessories such as sinks, toilets, tubs, baths and showers,

etc…

10. FASTENERS

Ø The quantity and size of nails and screws required to hold in place all framing, interior

& exterior walls, floors, drywall, etc...

This is a List of building materials. Building materials are used in the construction industry

to create buildings and structures.

These categories of materials and products are used by American architects and

construction project managers to specify the materials and methods used for building

projects.

Catalogs distributed by architectural product suppliers are typically organized into these

groups.

Plywood is a commonly encounteredcomposite material.

Building insulation

A diagram illustrating the components of a panel door

A mason laying mortar on top of a finished course of blocks, prior to placing the next course.

Plastic piping and firestops being installed in Ontario. Certain plastic pipes can be used in some non-

combustible buildings, provided they are firestopped properly and that the flame spread ratings comply with the

localbuilding code.

A multi-story bay window

Material (articles) refer to: Category

Compressed earth block, mud brick, rammed earth Category:Appropriate technology

Concrete Category:Concrete

Conveyor systems

Elevator or "lift"

Escalator

Category:Vertical transport devices

Composites Category:Composite materials

Thermal protection

Building insulationCategory:Thermal protection

Moisture protection

Building envelope

Conformal coating

Damp (structural)

Housewrap

Waterproofing

Category:Moisture protection

Doors

Stile and rail, raised panel, wood clad

Access, sliding glass doors, tambour

Folding doors, garage door, storefront

Door hardware

Category:Doors

Category:Door furniture

Electrical systems and equipment

AC power plugs and sockets

Category:Electrical systems

Circuit breaker

Electrical connector

Electrical wiring

Switches

Surface finishing

Plaster & gypsum board

Cement render

Ceramic tile, quarry tile, pavers, mosaic

Dropped ceiling, coffered ceiling

Flooring – wide plank, terrazzo, carpet

Wall covering, wallpaper, acoustic

Paint, wood stain, faux finishing

Staff – a type of artificial stone

Wood finishing

Category:Wood finishing materials

Category:Wood finishing techniques

also "gyp-board" or "drywall"

Category:Roofs

Category:Ceilings

Category:Floors

Category:Walls

House painting

Fire suppression equipment Category:Fire suppression

Furnishings Category:Furniture

HVAC (Heating, ventilation and air conditioning) Category:HVAC

Masonry, mortar (masonry), grout

Adobe, brick, glass brick, terra cotta

Artificial stone

Cinder block or concrete block

Stone dry stacked or mortar set

Urbanite – broken-up concrete

Category:Masonry

Category:Bricks

also: "Concrete Masonry Units"

(CMU)

Category:Stone

Metals

Structural steel: I-beam & column

Rebar

Wire rope and cables

Metal joist, decking, framing, trusses

Metal fabrications

Stairway, ladder, railing, grating, Strut channel

Category:Metals

Decorative metal

"Openings" include Doors & Windows Category:Doors

Plastics Category:Plastics

Plumbing fixtures and equipment Category:Plumbing

Building safety Category:Safety codes

Security systems Category:Security

Specialties Category:Architectural design

Telecommunications equipment Category:Telecommunications

Wood, carpentry

Rough carpentry (unfinished)

Heavy timbers, log home, post and beam

Engineered wood, dimensional lumber

Stud, joist, rafter

Treated lumber & wood decking

Sheathing, subflooring, Panelling

Plywood, shiplap, tongue and groove

Oriented strand board

Parallel strand lumber or "para-lam"

Glue-laminate or "glue-lam"

Finish carpentry or "architectural woodwork"

Veneer, plastic laminate, wood panel

Case-building products

Millwork, bookcase, cabinets

Ornamental woodwork

Trim, molding or "moulding"

Chair rail, baseboard, casing, sill

Category:Wood

Category:woodworking

See also: List of woods

Windows

Casement, double hung, bay window

Curtainwall, skylight, dormer

Category:Windows