Building material

From 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

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 woodcement 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

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.
In the market place t

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 walls components including
the premature blistering or cracking of exterior finishes on claddings such as wood, fibercement, 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 90F day, the sun can heat the roof
shingles to 170F. Without adequate ventilation, heat can build up to as high as 140F
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.

Sponsored Links

Steel Building Website

Steel Building Industry Directory Help for Designing Steel Buildings
www.DesignandBuildwithMetal.com

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)
Bonu
s

Hardnes
s

Adamantit
e

+4

20

40/inch of
thickness

125#

3000

Mithril

+3

15

30/inch of
thickness

300#

3500

Oracalcum
*

+5

25

45/inch of
thickness

225#

4500

Tilferium

+3

14

30/inch of
thickness

700#

3700

Xagium*

+4

18

35/inch of
thickness

100#

3850

Metal

Hit Points

Weight ft.
cubic

Melts at
F

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: MOHs Hardness Scale

Hardnes
s

Material

Note

Talc

Easily scratched by the fingernail; equal to a pencil lead 1-2

or plaster of paris.

Gypsum

Just scratched by the fingernail, 2.5; equal to limestone or a

seashell.

Calcite

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

silver in the 2.5 to 3.

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.

Apatite

Just 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.

Orthoclas
e

Easily scratches glass and is just scratched by a file; iron

pyrite 6.5, steel file 6.5 to 7.

Quartz

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

Topaz

N/A.

Corundu
m

N/A.

10

Diamond

N/A.

Table: Continuation of Hardness Scale

A modified scale to include magic materials.
Hardnes
s

Material

Note

Liquid

N/A

Talc

Easily scratched by the fingernail; equal to a pencil lead

1-2 or plaster of paris.

Gypsum

Just scratched by the fingernail, 2.5; equal to limestone or

a seashell.

Calcite

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

or silver in the 2.5 to 3.

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.

Apatite

Just 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.

Orthoclase

Easily scratches glass and is just scratched by a file; iron

pyrite 6.5, steel file 6.5 to 7.

Vitreous pure
silica

not scratched by a file unless of hardened steel at 7.5

Quartz

just scratched by magic-enhanced steel

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 reddishbrown 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 earths 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 earths 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.
# pressure required
to break metal.

Material

Melting Points in
Fahrenheit

Crushed 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
Materials required for building the exterior walls and floors: studs, sill plates,
beams,
joists, lintels, posts, sheets of plywood, wood furring.
2. ROOF
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
Materials required for building the interior walls and bearing walls: studs, sill
plates,
lintels, posts, drywall and acoustic insulation if needed.
4. OPENINGS
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
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
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
Materials required to make the house water- proof and air-tight: air-barrier,
vapourbarrier and sealant.
8. FINISHES
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
A list of all plumbing accessories such as sinks, toilets, tubs, baths and showers,
etc
10. FASTENERS
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 noncombustible 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

Composites

Category:Vertical transport devices

Category:Composite materials

Thermal protection
Category:Thermal protection

Building insulation

Moisture protection

Category:Moisture protection

Building envelope

Conformal coating

Damp (structural)

Housewrap

Waterproofing

Doors

Category:Doors
Category:Door furniture

Stile and rail, raised panel, wood clad

Access, sliding glass doors, tambour

Folding doors, garage door, storefront

Door hardware

Electrical systems and equipment

AC power plugs and sockets

Circuit breaker

Electrical connector

Electrical wiring

Switches

Category:Electrical systems

Surface finishing

Category:Wood finishing materials

Category:Wood finishing techniques

Plaster & gypsum board

also "gyp-board" or "drywall"

Category:Roofs

Category:Ceilings

Cement render
Ceramic tile, quarry tile, pavers, mosaic

Dropped ceiling, coffered ceiling

Category:Floors

Flooring wide plank, terrazzo, carpet

Category:Walls

Wall covering, wallpaper, acoustic

House painting

Paint, wood stain, faux finishing

Staff a type of artificial stone

Wood finishing

Fire suppression equipment

Category:Fire suppression

Furnishings

Category:Furniture

HVAC (Heating, ventilation and air conditioning)

Category:HVAC

Masonry, mortar (masonry), grout

Category:Masonry

Adobe, brick, glass brick, terra cotta

Category:Bricks

Artificial stone

also: "Concrete Masonry

Cinder block or concrete block

Units" (CMU)

Stone dry stacked or mortar set

Urbanite broken-up concrete

Metals

Category:Stone

Category:Metals

Structural steel: I-beam & column

Rebar

Wire rope and cables

Metal joist, decking, framing, trusses

Metal fabrications

Stairway, ladder, railing, grating, Strut

channel
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

Category:Wood

Rough carpentry (unfinished)

Category:woodworking
See also: List of woods

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

Windows
Casement, double hung, bay window
Curtainwall, skylight, dormer

Category:Windows