We are living in exciting times, with new and innovative tech emerging on an almost daily basis and in this short article, we take an in-depth look at some of the best composite building materials that construction companies are using in 2024.
- Reinforced plastics – Plastics were a game-changer and even today, new versions are being created; plastic doesn’t decay, while some examples do degenerate over time. They do not rust and are not affected by water and most homes have plastic somewhere in their construction, some a lot more than others.
- PVC – Polyvinyl chloride is often used as decking, soffit and fascia; this material has many benefits, it doesn’t fade, crack or scratch. Window and door frames are often made from PVC for those very reasons. Rhythm Ekkamai Estate, for example, is an upmarket condo development that makes good use of composites including PVC.
- Fibreglass – Another very popular building material, we’ve all seen fibreglass swimming pools, while building sidings are also made from this amazing material. Fibreglass does not degrade and is not affected by most chemicals and can be formed to any shape.
- LDPE – The full name is Low Density Polyethylene that is used instead of PVC; ideal for decking and exterior fencing, this material has a lower density than regular plastics, which means it is not as strong as some composites.
- HDPE – High Density Polyethylene is much stronger than LDPE, which makes it a better choice when tensile strength is required. The product does not need painting as the colour is throughout the material, plus it can withstand heavy loads.
- Engineered timber – A core that is made from composites that are layered, which is coated with real timber. Ideal for decking, fencing and other exterior uses, while engineered timber can also be used for interior flooring.
- Laminate – Another popular composite material that is used for flooring, the product is cheap, durable and impervious to most things. Check out this cool article on bio-architecture.
- Vinyl – A more upmarket composite that laminate, vinyl is a very popular floor covering. Probably the most durable of all composite flooring materials, it is popular due to the cheap cost.
- Thermoplastics – A very strong material with high-impact resistance, there are 2 kinds, namely organic thermoplastic and inorganic thermoplastic.
- Dimensional lumber – Made to look like wood, this product is made from recycled plastic and comes in many faux wood grain finishes.
- Insulated roofing sheets – A composite exterior with foam filling that gives it super-insulation; ideal for tropical climates, this product can reduce the interior temperature by as much as 5°C, saving energy.
- Insulated blocks – Made from compressed recycled materials, these blocks are incredibly light and strong and are used for building low-cost housing in many 3rd world countries. They come in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses and are relatively cheap when compared to regular blocks.
- Insulation foam – This material is typically used to fill the gap between double brick walls; the foam is dispensed from a pressurised container and it expands and sets as soon as it is released into the atmosphere. Cavity wall insulation is nothing new, indeed it has been around for many decades and despite the arrival of new materials, it still manages to hang on to its popularity.
- Rockwool sheeting – Not exactly new but nevertheless very popular; rockwool sheeting can be easily worked with and comes in a range of thicknesses.
The days of bricks and mortar are long behind us and with innovative, high-insulation composites, we save a lot of energy and that has to be good for the planet. If you are looking to buy a luxury condo unit in Bangkok, or anywhere else for that matter, check the materials used in the construction to ensure a quality build.
