What’s the Best Material to Build a House With?

When deciding to build a home, most prospective homeowners spend an extensive amount of time on the building design and layout but tend to treat the choice of building material as an afterthought. 

Considering that the choice of building material can significantly impact the quality, durability, and energy rating of a home, it’s worth looking at the different materials available, as well as their suitability for different parts of the house.

So, if you’re wondering which building material is best, read on as we explore the types of material for houses.

Types of Building Materials  

The vast majority of homes in Australia are made from a pool of commonly used building materials such as wood and concrete. Here’s an overview of the different types of building materials for a house: 

Wood

Wood and lumber have traditionally been the most popular choice of building material for a home. Its natural durability enables wood to be used in the structural elements of the home, such as support beams or framing.

The natural texture and appearance also make timber suitable for decorative elements like flooring, cabinets, and other finishes around the home. As a cost-effective material that can be sustainability sourced, it’s easy to see why wood is such a popular choice for a building material.

Brick 

Brick is most valued as a material for its sturdiness, longevity, and ability to withstand most weather conditions. Apart from these qualities, brick also offers a unique texture and aesthetic that makes it ideal in constructing accent walls, archways, and footpaths.

Concrete

Concrete is used widely in all types of building projects, primarily as construction foundation and slabs, but also increasingly as part of the house’s structure. More and more modern home designs include the use of concrete, such as for interior and exterior walls, staircases, and countertops.

The strength and fire-resistant characteristics of concrete are what make it such a popular choice of building material, especially in spaces that see a lot of activity. 

Masonry block 

Masonry block is a building material that is used extensively in the construction of homes in tropical regions like North Queensland. While bearing some similarities to brick and concrete blocks, masonry blocks are much sturdier — enough to weather harsh storms and cyclonic conditions, especially when reinforced with steel. As a bonus, masonry block is also one of the most economical materials for building a home. 

Stone

Stone has been used as a building material for centuries, and its usefulness in home construction has not diminished. As a durable and weather-resistant material, stone can be used in the foundational construction of a house to provide stability, as well as in structural parts of the home such as retaining walls and flooring.

Steel

Steel is used mainly in the structural portion of a home due to its high load-bearing capability. It is mostly used to reinforce other materials, such as in the case of steel beams and pillars within a property, especially one with a wide layout. Some builders use steel in a decorative fashion, but it’s not common.

Factors Influencing the Best Material to Build a House 

The thing to note about the different types of building materials is that they offer varying levels of benefits depending on the type of house being built. Instead of looking for the overall “best” material to build a house, consider the following factors:

Climate and weather

Think about the typical climate and weather where the home will be built. When building in a region like North QLD, materials like hardwood will be less ideal as it tends to absorb moisture and warp in the warm humid weather. Similarly, building with heat-resistant materials can help to keep the home cool under the extreme heat of QLD’s weather, reducing the need for costly energy appliances like air conditioning.

Material cost

Some materials will invariably be more expensive than others, and it is possible for selected materials to end up being too costly for the planned budget. Checking with a builder on the estimated costs of desired building materials can help with making an informed decision.

Aesthetic options

Each material offers a different look and feel to the home, especially if it will be used decoratively. Many home builders take the unique aesthetic appeal of a material as a major deciding factor whether it will be used in the home build. 

Build Your Future Home With the Best Materials 

Deciding on the best material to build your dream home is easy if you know what you’re looking for. As Townsville’s leading team of home builders, we can help guide you through the process of selecting the best materials for your new home as well as all other parts of the construction process. View our available house and land packages in Townsville, or contact our friendly team to find out how we can help you!