Building Material and Types of Building Materials – JSS2 Basic Technology Lesson Note (Second Term)

A building material is any substance used to construct a building, and materials are grouped as primary (natural, unprocessed) or secondary (processed).

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. describe the different types of buildings;
2. classify building materials as primary or secondary and give examples;
3. state the materials used for different parts of a building;
4. state the functions of doors and windows;
5. list types of doors and windows.

What are the types of buildings?

There are nine common types of buildings: bungalow, one-storey building, multi-storey building, skyscraper, detached building, semi-detached building, duplex, mansion and terraced houses.

• Bungalow: a house built on one level, with no upper floor.
• One-storey building: a house that has a ground floor and a first floor only.
• Multi-storey building: a building that has many levels.
• Skyscraper: a very tall building with many floors.
• Detached building: a house that stands alone and is not joined to any other building.
• Semi-detached building: a house that is joined to another building on one side.
• Duplex: a house made up of two apartments.
• Mansion: a very large house.
• Terraced houses: a block of houses built side by side and joined together.

What are the common building materials?

Building materials are the natural or man-made substances used to put up a building, and they are classified into primary and secondary materials.

What are primary (non-conventional) materials?

Primary materials are materials used to construct buildings in their natural state, without processing.

• Other name: traditional materials.
• Examples: mud, stone, grass, straw and timber.

What are secondary (conventional) materials?

Secondary materials are materials that have been processed and have changed in structure.

• Examples: cement, steel, bricks, precast concrete and glass.

What is the difference between primary and secondary materials?

What are the uses of some building materials?

• Stone: used for foundations and walls.
• Sand: mixed with cement and water to make mortar and concrete.
• Cement: binds sand and stones together in mortar and concrete.
• Timber: used for roof frames, doors, windows and shelves.
• Steel (iron rods): placed inside concrete to strengthen it.
• Sandcrete blocks and bricks: used to build walls.
• Glass: used in windows to let in light.
• Paint: protects and decorates walls.

What factors decide the choice of a building material?

• Cost: the material must be affordable.
• Availability: materials found nearby cost less to bring to the site.
• Strength and durability: the material must carry loads and last long.
• Climate: the material must suit the local heat, rain and humidity.
• Appearance: the material should suit the design of the building.

What materials are used for each part of a building?

Each part of a building has its own primary and secondary materials, shown in the table below.

What are the main parts of a building?

• Foundation: the base below ground that carries the weight of the building.
• Wall: the vertical structure that encloses space and supports the roof.
• Lintel: a beam placed over a door or window opening to carry the wall above it.
• Column: an upright support that carries loads down to the foundation.
• Roof: the top covering that protects the building from sun and rain.
• Ceiling: the inner covering under the roof.
• Floor: the surface people walk on.

Which materials are used for each part?

What is a door?

A door is a movable barrier fitted at the entrance of a room or building to control access or give privacy.

• Early doors: made of animal hides or textiles.
• Later doors: pivoting doors of rigid, lasting materials came with monumental buildings.
• Important chambers: often had stone or bronze doors.
• Pompeiian doors: looked much like modern wooden doors, with stiles (vertical planks) and rails (horizontal planks) holding panels.
• Medieval Western doors: vertical planks backed with horizontal or diagonal bracing.
• 20th century: the single hollow-core panel door became the most common.

What are the functions of doors?

The main function of a door is to open and close an entrance or exit.

1. They shut and open the entrance or exit.
2. They act as barriers against dangers and attacks.
3. They protect lives and property.
4. They allow ventilation when open.

What are the types of doors?

Common types of doors include panel, flush, French, louvre, exterior, sliding, folding, revolving, rolling and Dutch doors.

Interior doors

• Panel doors: a frame of stiles and rails holding flat panels.
• Flush doors: doors with a flat, smooth surface on both sides.
• French doors: doors fitted with glass panes, usually in pairs.
• Louvre doors: doors with angled slats that let in air and give privacy.

Other doors

• Exterior doors: doors at the outside entrances, chosen to suit the design of the building and to resist weather and intruders.
• Sliding doors: space-saving doors that slide along a track, used for bedroom closets.
• Folding doors: doors that fold in sections and are easily installed.
• Revolving doors: doors that turn round a central post and control traffic into a building.
• Rolling doors: doors that roll up above the opening, as in shops and garages.
• Dutch doors: doors divided horizontally so the upper or lower part can open separately.

What is a window?

A window is an opening in a wall, fitted with a frame, that admits light and air.

• Modern use: windows are also architectural features that add to the look of a building.
• Materials: timber, glass, aluminium, metal and mat.

What are the functions of windows?

1. They admit light and air.
2. They allow ventilation.
3. They act as a barrier to dangers and attacks when closed and fitted with burglar proof.
4. They add beauty to the building.

What are the types of windows?

Windows are grouped into architecturally designed windows and windows named by the way they open.

Architecturally designed windows

• Bull’s eye windows: small, round windows.
• Semi-circular headed windows: windows with a half-circle curve at the top.
• Cant bay windows: windows that project from the wall with angled sides.
• Dormer windows: upright windows set into a sloping roof.

Windows named by how they open

• Casement windows: windows hinged at the side that swing open like a door.
• Sliding windows: windows that slide sideways along a track.
• Louvre windows: windows with tilting slats of glass or wood.
• Fixed windows: windows that do not open and only let in light.

Evaluation

1. State five types of buildings and explain each.
2. List five primary and five secondary building materials.
3. State four functions of doors.
4. State four functions of windows.
5. Mention five materials used in making windows and five types of doors.

Assignment

Choose any building you know. Draw a table showing five of its parts, the material used for each, and whether each material is primary or secondary.

Reference materials

1. NERDC, Introductory Technology for JSS, book 3, pages 218 to 228.
2. EVANS, Introductory Technology for JSS, book 3, pages 130 to 138.