CONTENT PAGE
1. CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
NATURAL OCCURRING SUBSTANCES
- Limestone
- Softwood
- Mudbrick
- Bamboo
- Wet-laid clay walls
MAN-MADE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
- Glass
- Bricks
- Concrete
NATURALLY OCCURRING SUBSTANCE
1. LIMESTONE
PROS
- Affordability compared to other natural stones
- Soft and light
- Extremely durable due to high mineral composition
CONS
- High maintenance
- Soft nature
2. SOFTWOOD
PROS
- Work ability, can be used across a broad range of applications
- Sustainability, a renewable source
- Cost, tends to be cheaper
- Easier to source
CONS
- Weaker and less durable
- Less suitable for high traffic areas
- Poor fire resistance unless being treated
3. MUDBRICK
PROS
- Good water resistance
- Risk of cracking and shrinkage is low
- Offers good flexibility in construction
- Attractive textures and patterns
CONS
- Flooring surface would not be as smooth
- Requires often maintenance
- Low resistant to stain due to its high porosity
4. BAMBOO
PROS
- Extremely hard and durable
- Bamboo flooring is easier on the legs
- Easy to clean and maintain
CONS
- Cost is high for bamboo due to a high demand
- Poor treatment process will cause dis-benefits to the people
MAN-MADE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
1. GLASS
Glass is a very versatile material. It has the ability to transform the appearance of light and intensify colors.
PROS
- Transparent
- Hard and has great impact resistance
- Weather and chemical resistant
- Available in any color and shape
CONS
- Brittle
- Traps heat
How Is Glass Used?
From our site visit to The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, we observed that glass are used for the handrails, ceiling and at shop fronts.
The long stretch of the ceiling is filled with glass. The handrails are also glass. This may be done to provide an open and bright environment for shoppers.
2. BRICKS
PROS
- ECO-Friendly, There is an abundance of materials to make bricks and absorbs humidity better
- Fire and weather resistant
- Low Maintenance. No issues termites and it does not require to be painted
- Blocks out sound quite well due to its thickness
- High-thermal insulator
- Decay resistant
- Long lasting
CONS
- Expensive
- Limited color choices
- Weather can cause the bricks to expand and contract
- Difficult remodelling
3. CONCRETE
PROS
- Durable. Concrete can withstand large amounts of foot traffic and pressure
- Near impossible to chip or scratch the material
- Long Life span
- Easy to maintain. Dust or sweep to prevent dust accumulation
- Cost effective
- Slip resistant and chemical resistant
CONS
- It is a hard material. And provides no cushioning. Making it uncomfortable to stand on for long periods
- Cold to the touch. Concrete does not retain heat very well
- Susceptible to moisture if not properly finished or sealed
- Loud when there is a lot of foot traffic.
4. PLASTIC
PROS
- Long life span
- Plastic products/materials can be redesign
- Cheap and easy to produce/make
- Important for construction and infrastructure
- Not prone to breakage/ fragile
CONS
- Durability, short useful life compared to metal
- Non-biodegradable
- Harmful to the nature during the fabrication of plastics
5. STEEL
An alloy of iron and carbon hence explaining its durability. The world’s most important engineering and construction material
PROS
- Safe material to work with for residential construction
- Reduced construction costs due to the advance in steel fabrication techniques
- Comparatively lightweight
- Recyclability
- Durability
- Cost effective for the transportation of steel
CONS
- Susceptibility to the elements, weakens the cohesiveness of the material
- Long-term fatigue due to extensive application of tension to the material
- Excellent conductor of heat, does not play a benefit in a case of fire
