Materials
Information and guides on different construction and building materials, including their properties and uses.
Sustainable Wood Sourcing & Certification in Construction
The Wilderness Society has formally asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate Bunnings, Australia's largest hardware retailer, for potentially selling unlawfully l
The Importance of Metal Surface Preparation for Coatings
In 1924, General Motors revolutionized automotive production by adopting DuPont's 'Duco' paint, slashing painting and drying times from days to mere hours, according to a brief history of automotive c
How Do Chemical Additives Boost Concrete Durability and Performance?
Fresh concrete, typically vulnerable to freezing, can now be poured in temperatures as low as 23°F thanks to specialized chemical admixtures.
Choosing insulation materials for R-value & environmental impact
In Canadian residential construction, insulation materials alone are responsible for 26.
What are sustainable building materials' environmental impact, cost, and durability?
Green roofs alone can slash heat transfer through a building's top by 72%, offering a tangible, immediate benefit of sustainable design.
What Are Construction Adhesives and Why Do They Matter in 2026?
The global construction adhesives market, valued at US$13.
Choosing Concrete Types for Your Next Project
Producing 20 MPa concrete generates 31.
Asphalt Shingle Roofing Materials and Properties in 2026
While a basic asphalt shingle roof might cost as little as $3.
What are the main types of modern construction adhesives and sealants?
The global joint sealant market, valued at $10.
What are sustainable building materials and why do they matter?
For new energy-efficient buildings, the carbon embedded in their materials and construction now accounts for roughly half of their entire life-cycle emissions, according to Journal-buildingscities .
Choosing Building Insulation Materials for Sustainability and R-Value
Recycled cotton and hemp fibre insulation consistently show the lowest environmental impact across all categories, outperforming traditional options from manufacturing to disposal.
Lumber Prices and Their Impact on Residential Construction
In May 2021, lumber prices soared to an unprecedented $1711.
What are modern composite materials and why are they crucial for construction?
A new generation of building materials can store energy with three times the density of traditional solutions, while others actively sequester carbon, fundamentally changing how buildings interact wit
Silicone vs. Hybrid Sealants: Which Is Better for Your Project?
The hybrid adhesive sealant market is projected to reach a staggering USD 100.
What Are Nano-composites and Why Do They Matter Beyond Construction?
Imagine a material 85% stronger than its traditional counterpart, achieved not by altering its primary composition, but by adding microscopic carbon tubes.
Understanding Weather-Resistant Building Materials
In 2023, the United States faced 28 weather events, each causing over a billion dollars in damages.
What Are Modular Fasteners and Why Are They Growing in Construction?
The global market for modular construction fasteners is projected to nearly double from USD 1.
FRP Composites: What They Are and Their Long-Term Challenges
Despite their touted strength, the long-term performance of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) in real-world construction environments remains a critical unknown, raising questions about their true adva
What Are Sustainable Building Materials?
In a building's first decade, the carbon embedded in its materials can account for up to 67 percent of its total emissions, a surprising figure often overlooked in sustainability discussions.
What Are Composite Materials and Why Do They Matter for Building?
Fibreglass, a common composite, is stronger than many metals by weight and can be molded into complex shapes, offering unprecedented design freedom in construction.
What Are Advanced Insulation Materials and Their Construction Applications?
The global thermal insulation material market, valued at USD 71.
What are sustainable composite materials in construction and automotive?
A recent study by the National Composites Centre (NCC) found that the carbon footprint of the same glass fibre composite output could vary by almost double depending on which Life Cycle Assessment (LC
What are building insulation R-values and applications for energy efficiency?
Homeowners can slash their heating and cooling bills by an average of 15% simply by air sealing and adding insulation, according to Energy Star .
What Are Modern Composite Materials and Why Is Their Sustainability Complex?
The environmental sustainability of modern composite materials, critical for everything from aircraft to wind turbines, is surprisingly difficult to pin down.
What Are Composite Materials and Why Do They Matter in Manufacturing?
More than 1.9 billion pounds of glass reinforced polyester/vinyl ester thermoset composites sold in the U.S. and Canada during the first half of 2025, according to ACMA , confirm their deep integratio
Comparing Residential Roofing Materials for 2026
Most homeowners spend between $10,000 and $30,000 for a new roof in 2026, according to Excelroofing .
What is Stainless Steel's Material Composition in Construction Fasteners?
In saltwater environments, adding molybdenum to 316 stainless steel bolts dramatically improves their resistance to pitting corrosion—a critical factor often overlooked in general construction.
How to Choose the Right Insulation Materials for Your Home
After R-38, the return on investment for additional attic insulation slows, challenging the notion that more always means better savings ( greenbuildermedia ).
Insulation Materials: R-Value, Cost, and 2026 Market Volatility
Despite a recent 13% plummet in insulation costs since Q3 2024, prices are still up 19.
What is R-Value? The Science Behind Modern Insulation's Benefits
Properly installed cellulose insulation can provide a two-hour firewall between townhouses, exceeding typical building code requirements, according to Greenbuildermedia .