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  Reasons to think when selecting the right building materials for your project

  

  
  You have a plan, and all goals set up in your building projects but the most crucial aspect is the right building materials to use.
  When building your home, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is the materials to use.
  
  The building materials you select will determine the overall look of the house. There is a wide choice of building materials available in the market and it can be difficult to determine the best option for your building project.
  
  

  Estimating the Cost Matters

  
  One of the most important things to consider when choosing building materials is the cost or value of the product.
  
  It’s always a rule of thumb that looking for the cheapest products may not be the best idea at all times. When looking at building supplies or materials for the project, you will realize that the price differs widely.
  
  You need to consider some factors such as the lifespan or value of the products that you need. When you buy cheap and low quality materials, you may end up having to replace them frequently and in the long run will cost you a lot.
  
  Choose the building materials that will serve you well for a long time and this will end up being “cost-efficient”.
  
  

  Visioning the Aesthetics of the project matters

  
  When choosing materials, you need to consider the look you want. People have different tastes and requirements and what one person considers attractive, may not appeal to the next person.
  
  Only you know what kind of house you would like to live in. The type of roof you choose can change the look of the house. You may like a particular type of roofing material, or maybe you like stone masonry buildings.
  
  The choices you make, as well as your budget, will determine the materials you can select.
  
  

  Location of the project matters

  
  You will need to consider your location when choosing building materials. The weather or climate in the area will determine the most appropriate materials to use.
  
  The materials used to build a beachfront house will differ from those used to build a house in a cold mountain area. Most places have building codes and regulations that you have to follow when building your home.
  
  You need to find out the requirements before you start shopping for materials. Some areas will have specifications about the roofing materials you can use, as well as other regulations.
  
  

  

  
  

  Supplier also matters

  
  Choosing the right supplier is very important, as it will determine the quality of the materials you get.
  
  Make sure that you buy good quality materials that will enhance the appearance of the home while also being long lasting.
  
  The supplier should be able to offer you complete service that includes transporting the materials to the site.
  
  Recommended building supply and material suppliers:
  
  

  • MG Building Materials - supply store serving South Central Texas.
  • Tum A Lum Lumber Company - Lumber Supplier in Oregon.
  • Edensaw Woods Ltd. - Exotic Wood and Lumber Supplies in Seattle and within Washington area.
  • Liberty Cedar - Interior and exterior wood supplies in New England Area: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Long island in NY and Connecticut.

  
  

  Durability of the supplies matters

  
  Some materials last longer than others last, and are more resistant to decay, moisture and other environmental hazards. Choose the most appropriate materials for the weather condition and make sure that they are long-lasting.
  
  It is important to consult experts when choosing building materials. They will help you to determine the materials that are most suitable for your needs.
  
  

  

  
  

  Structural Performance

  
  Select materials that have the structural capability to support the building loads. When choosing the roofing materials, for example, you need to make sure that the building structure can effectively support the material, for the entire life of the building.
  
  The materials selected should also make it possible for the occupants to live comfortably without any adverse effects like those caused by harmful chemical emissions.
  
  

  Availability of the supplies matters

  
  It is always advisable to buy readily available materials. This will help to ensure that you do not have to wait for long to get the materials you need. Buying from a local source will help you to save on shipping costs as well as avoiding building delays.
  
  Readily available materials are also more affordable, and this will help to lower the construction costs.
  
  

  Installation or construction

  
  When selecting materials, you need to consider the installation or construction process. Depending on the material you select, you may need to get specialized personnel for complicated installations, and this is an additional cost.
  
  Some materials may also release dust and other pollutants that can be harmful to those working on the site.
  
  

  

  
  
  

  Maintenance

  
  The best materials are those that are easy to maintain. Maintenance will help to keep the building looking good for long. Good quality building materials will usually require less maintenance than cheaper materials.
  
  You need to consider the life of the building and the best way to make sure that it continues looking good for long.
  
  

  Energy efficiency

  
  When you buy building supplies that are energy efficient, you will lessen the expenses that ensue over the lifetime of the home.
  
  The windows or roofing materials you select will affect your monthly energy bill. An energy efficient house is good for the occupants, as well as the environment.
  

  On 7:53 am / By adrix merkado
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  How to Choose the Right Wood for Your Marine Applications

  In our recent times, wood is still the top choice for marine application even though composites and plastics are reigning in other fields.
  
  

  

  
  As one old mariner told, “there are qualities of wood embody the romance of the sea” - warmth of wood in the sun, wooden gunwales that crafted and shaped meet the grasping hand.
  
  Unlike the men of the past, who where experts with the properties of spruce, cedar, teak, and jarrah, - many of today’s young spring mariners are not familiar with how to pick/select the right woods for marine use.
  
  This 3 part post will be the guide to all newbie in selecting the best wood/lumber for your marine application.
  
  

  Understanding what’s the use of Wood

  
  

  

  
  Before repairing or replacing wood on your boat, it is important to understand what the use of the wood will be.
  That would be:
  
  Exterior marine surfaces – used for decks, gunwales and hardware mounts.
  
  You will likely be choosing teak and white oak woods for their dense, decay-resistant properties.
  
  Teak woods have been the popular for many craftsmen for its strength and sturdiness. The wood’s natural oil provides an exceptional resistance to moisture, and it can be left unfinished without compromising its longevity.
  
  While teak is popular everywhere, there are also many marine woods that are as durable and tough:
  
  Greenheart Wood was used by Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage.
  
  Jarrah Wood was used as railway ties of the London Underground.
  
  Lignum Vitae Wood - The toughest commercially-available wood which far exceeds teak in density, strength, stiffness, and decay resistance is also a great choice.
  
  North American suppliers seldom carry these more exotic hardwoods in quantity, though they will often stock small boards or blanks used by wood turners.
  
  In general, tougher is better, especially for hardware mounts.
  
  Most dense woods are also highly moisture resistant with natural oils produce a dark, glossy polish that is quite beautiful.
  
  Most of them are also expensive, and therefore unsuitable for large projects such as decks and gunwales. Teak, oak and mahogany, though also pricey (but less so), can be found in large quantities in most metropolitan areas.
  
  Be cautious in choosing mahogany: since 1595, when the carpenter on Sir Walter Raleigh’s ship first discovered its properties and introduced them to European craftsmen, mahogany has been the victim of vast over-harvesting which is also a long time environmental concerns.
  
  

  

  
  The Honduras and Cuban mahogany varieties are claimed endangered (which is very hard to acquire and of course impacts to a higher price), and most of today’s types of mahogany are poorer substitutes like Agba, Ramin, and Philippine Mahogany (Lauan) and not a true mahogany.
  
  Many woods from the rain forests of the Pacific Northwest also make excellent marine woods in specific applications.
  
  Douglas Fir (DF) wood is stronger than steel (and also by weight), and it is light, stiff, and easy to work with. Maple wood is sturdy and flexible to use.
  
  Western red cedar wood is wonderfully resistant to decay.
  
  These woods are plentiful and relatively inexpensive, though they usually require care in working, finishing and, except for maple wood, are unsuitable in situations where mechanical strength is required.
  
  Before you visit the nearest lumberyard or wood shop in your area, decide whether you need a light wood (such as for spars, oars and dinghy parts), or a dense, heavy wood (for hardware mountings and other fittings).
  
  See you again for Part two of the choosing marine wood post.

  On 3:57 am / By adrix merkado
• 0

  Guides in Buying Lumber for Building Project

  There are few factors when considering in buying lumber.
  
  You should figure out what type of lumber do you need, which local lumber – saw mill, wood or building materials supplier that provides high quality and considerable prices for wood. If you are from Oregon area, there are great lumber distributors in Oregon who can provide high quality supplies for your project.
  
  You may also consider a professional or we say someone who is an expert in lumbers whether it’s a small or a bigger projects which usually few establishments and providers has (lack of experts in lumber products).
  
  Let me guide you in what to do when you buy lumber:
  
  
  
  

  1 – Explain and draft the project where you want to use the lumber for before you buying it.

  
  

  

  
  Metrics: What are the sizes of the lumber ? How many pieces of lumber wood you need?
  
  Wood Type: You have to know if you will need a hardwood or the soft wood. (Is it kind of Marine Plywood, or Primed Cedar Shingles, or a Hickory Type Plywood)Most of the building materials personnel know this stuff.
  
  
  
  
  

  2 - Use uniform quality lumber with as few defects, such as knotholes or discolorations, as possible if your end project will be on display.

  
  

  

  
  The more common grade of lumber has more defects and is usually cheaper.
  
  Use this kind of lumber if you are going to paint the end product.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  3 - Order lumber by the linear foot (0.3048 meters) or by the board foot (0.0929 square meters).

  
  Use linear feet to order lumber of the same dimension, if ordering trim or treads, which would all need to be uniform size.
  
  If ordering a volume of random-width lumber, use the board foot (square m) for measuring.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  4 - Inspect lumber you are buying for defects like splits, warping (lift one end of board and sight down its edge to see if it bends in either direction).

  

  Lay the board on level surface to see if it lays flat without arching or bowing.

  On 3:17 am / By adrix merkado