The Ultimate Guide to Construction Materials in the Philippines

In the Philippines, construction materials are fairly common, especially since construction and engineering projects occur on a daily basis, whether it be in the province, in the heart of the metro, in a commercial hub, or in a residential area. That is, they’re virtually everywhere, and those living in the Philippines are already used to seeing construction materials gingerly lining up the pavements.

That being said, it can’t be denied that they are essential to humans. Just one glance at your surroundings reveals this. Everywhere around you, there will always be vestiges of these building materials—from your home, to the structures you see outside, and so on.

They are, in other words, also extremely versatile, since they can be used in several industries and applications. Not to mention that there are numerous types of construction materials out there, which ensures that you will find something that best suits your project’s needs.

Curious to know more about them?

Then, you’ve come at the right place.

This post will tell you everything you need to know about construction materials in the Philippines.

What are Construction Materials?

A construction material, as the name suggests, is any material that is used for construction. Various raw substances such as clay, sand, wood, rocks, and twigs have been utilized for building.

Aside from naturally-occurring substances, there is also a vast array of artificial and man-made products that are used for construction, such as plastic and steel from the Philippines.

These materials are employed in different projects, such as carpentry, plumbing, roofing, and insulation work. As you might expect, every task requires its own specific materials.

Construction materials are often used as the foundation of habitats and structures, such as homes, and it’s no wonder that upon mentioning the phrase construction materials in the Philippines, people will most likely associate it with the creation of houses.

A Brief History of Construction Materials

A construction project’s success primarily lies in using only materials that can deliver results. One of the relevant factors to consider is their durability, especially when they’re tested against time.

Construction materials have been around for a long, long time. In fact, their beginnings can be traced to as early as 400 BC.

Listed below is the brief history of some of the most common construction materials in the Philippines.

• Wood North America and Europe were teeming with vast forests. This encouraged the construction of homes that employed timber frames.Other countries also realized the endless possibilities of wood and decided to make the most out of it. The best thing about wood is that it’s a natural resource that could be acquired effortlessly.Since then, it’s a material that has literally become a necessity in construction projects.
• Concrete  According to records, the Romans were the earliest users of concrete. Its versatility also attracted the industry, because it meant that it was still subject to various developments and innovations.Soon enough, concrete became a material that was used as a foundation in buildings. Its main purpose is to stabilize structures—which remains true until today.
• Steel  Steel is an extremely exhilarating material to work with. For one, it can be seamlessly customized to the needs of your project, but without sacrificing the material’s robustness and stability.This material is utilized both in small-scale projects and in more major ones.

The Most Common Construction Materials in the Philippines

As mentioned earlier, construction materials can be divided into two categories: naturally-occurring and man-made.

Natural materials that are unprocessed or barely processed are lumber and glass. Synthetic materials, on the other hand, are largely used nowadays, especially in industrial settings.

Listed below are some of the most common building materials.

• Mud and Clay These are two of the most frequently used materials for constructing buildings and homes.Mud and clay have been around for centuries, and the structures built using these materials were still fit for human habitation even after hundreds of years.The primary advantage of soil and clay is that they have an excellent thermal mass, which means that they have no problem sustaining temperature at a constant level. That being said, homes built with these materials adapt to their surroundings—during the scorching heat of summer, they remain cool, and during the colder season, they manage to maintain some warmth.
• Rock Rock has been around for a long time. The best thing about it is that it is readily available, which makes it an extremely reliable construction material.There are different kinds of rocks available, each of them with their own respective attributes.In general, rocks are incredibly dense, which makes them a robust material for construction. However, this can also serve as its drawback, since it makes the material bulky and difficult to handle.

  Aside from homes, rocks have also been utilized in some of the most renowned structures in history, such as the Pyramids in Egypt, the Aztec pyramids, and so on.

• Aside from rocks, wood is also another material that dominates the construction industry. Like rocks, it has been around since time immemorial.As you might know, wood is product of trees and plants. They are usually pressed into lumber and timber; after that, they are now ready to be employed in various applications.One of the most splendid attributes of woods is its versatility—that is, it can be used in practically any construction project, regardless of the climate in which the structures belong to.

  It is also exceptionally flexible, managing to maintain its strength even while bent or compressed.

  The quality of wood often depends on the tree species, and, needless to say, some species of wood are better-suited for applications than others.

  In earlier periods, wood was used in its unprocessed form, and it was only recently when lumber finally came into prominence—when mechanized saws were invented. This, then, allowed the mass production of lumber and other processed wooden materials.

• Brick and Block Bricks are fashioned from kiln-fired materials (such as clay and shale). They were extensively used in the 18^th to the 20^th century, mainly because they were economical to produce.
• Concrete Concrete is a combination of paste and aggregates (or small rocks). The paste, which comprises of cement and water, coats the surface of the aggregates. A chemical reaction called hydration allows the paste to harden and eventually transform into concrete.In essence, concrete is a rock-like mass that is characterized by its durability (when it hardens) and flexibility (when it’s still newly mixed). These traits make it an exemplary material for all sorts of structures, including soaring skyscrapers, bridges, superhighways, dams, and, of course, homes.
• Steel or MetalMetal is one of the most common artificial construction materials. It serves as a structural framework for massive edifices, such as skyscrapers.Like concrete, steel is also marked by its flexibility and strength. Its major nemesis has something to do with longevity—corrosion.In the Philippines, steel production requires substantial human labor, since ample amounts are usually required for construction projects.
• Glass The primary purpose of glass windows is twofold—to let light penetrate into the room and to keep the outside breeze from entering.Glass is made from a blend of sand and silicates, which results to this material’s fragility.
• Ceramics Ceramics are typically used as fixtures and coverings (such as tiles). In the recent years, ceramic tiles have been gaining a steady popularity. They aren’t limited to floorings anymore, and have also been integrated into walls, countertops, and ceilings. In some instances, in fact, they are also utilized as roofing tiles.
• Plastics Plastics are another famous synthetic material. They are used in all imaginable industries, and are practically ubiquitous.In the construction sector, they’re commonly used as pipes for apartments and other buildings.
• Cement Composites Cement composites constitute of hydrated cement paste that combines wood, fibers, and so on.

How to Choose the Best Construction Materials for Your Projects

With the myriads of construction materials available in the Philippines, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and confused, especially if it’s your first time plunging into this industry. With a vast array of materials to choose from, how on earth will you know which ones are the most suitable for your projects?

As with many other endeavors, preparation is the key to make smart decisions. You need to be knowledgeable about materials, building, and the intricacies of your undertaking.

• CostThe first thing that you’ll have to consider is the cost. How much money are you willing to allocate for your construction materials?And if you want to make sure that you’ll only get something with impeccable quality, then you may have to opt for materials that are priced a bit higher. Of course, if you buy something incredibly cheap, then don’t expect it to last for years.Aside from the actual price of a material, you also need to estimate how long its lifespan might be. It definitely won’t be worth it if you’ll need to replace or renovate your structure every so often—the costs will be much greater in the long run.
• Aesthetics It’s essential that as early as plausible, you already have an inkling on how you want the building or structure to look like.If it’s your home, then identify the kind of residence you will be most comfortable living in, and start from there. Your preferences, coupled with your budget, will ultimately be a huge bearing on the materials that you will buy.
• Durability The toughness of materials varies from one another. Some may last longer than others; some may be more impervious to environmental hazards; and some might be more susceptible to wearing away after a certain period of time.When it comes to durability, you will have to consider the weather condition of your area. If your vicinity frequently suffers from typhoons, then the materials you select need to be resilient enough to withstand these natural disasters.Additionally, you also need to consider what the purpose of the final output will be—that is, are you choosing construction materials for a bathroom, for a commercial center, or for a high-rise building?

  These factors will make it easier for you to determine the most suitable materials for your project.

• Supplier The importance of picking a superb supplier can never be stressed enough. After all, the supplier will dictate the quality of the materials you’ll be getting.Aside from that, you should also opt for a supplier that features a brilliant customer service, which includes the transportation of the materials to your job site.
• Availability  It’s recommended that you only purchase products that are readily available. This guarantees that you won’t have to wait for an extended period of time before you get your hands on the materials. This rings especially true if you will be making repairs or replacements—you want the materials to be instantly on your doorstep so you can proceed with the restoration at once.
• Installation or Construction Keep in mind the installation or construction process is also vital, since this will influence other factors, such as the costs of the endeavor.
• Performance Performance isn’t merely about quality, but also the overall execution of the materials. For this, you’ll need to consider how the end product will affect the people who will stay in the structure. Will they be comfortable and safe?
• Maintenance The best materials are the ones that can be easily maintained. Maintenance is imperative, since it allows the structure to constantly look crisp and pristine.You want to make sure that the structure will last for a long time, and one way of doing this is by regular and proper maintenance.

Select Only the Finest Materials for Your Construction Needs

Whatever project you have in mind, whether it’s a family residence or something more large-scale, such as massive infrastructures or towering skyscrapers, it’s vital that you select only the finest materials for your construction needs.

If you want something that ensures durability, even when tested against time and various environmental hazards, then Regan Steel is here for you.

As discussed, steel is one of the major materials being used in construction ventures. Here at Regan Steel, we provide our clients and customers with only the optimum steel from the Philippines. Our products are suited for various applications, be it manufacturing, construction, mining, and other industries. More than that, they’re also guaranteed to feature the marks of an excellent steel product—that is, the perfect blend of strength and versatility.

If you’re interested in checking out our products, then don’t hesitate to contact us here. The Regan Steel team is excited to work with you!