Building a house involves far more construction chemicals than most people realise. From the concrete used for foundations to the insulation in the walls, chemicals play a vital role at every stage of construction.
Advances in home construction have transformed the industry in recent years. There’s now an emphasis on energy efficiency, durability, indoor air quality, and sustainability.
Below, we examine five essential materials involved in the construction industry and break down their basic chemistry.
In this post:
Key Takeaways
Construction materials contain a wide range of chemicals that improve a home’s structural integrity and durability
Cavity wall insulation contains chemicals that help reduce heat loss and prevent leaking
Chemicals in glass help it withstand the high temperatures required to shape it into windows and skylights
The chemicals in cement help it set after the mixing process
Sand contains naturally occurring chemicals and is used to make many construction materials
Steel is used to provide structural support throughout the home construction process
Cavity Wall Insulation
Many homes have cavity walls. These are walls with two layers of material and a gap between them. Cavity wall insulation goes inside this gap to prevent rainwater from penetrating the wall and reduce heat loss.
Cavity wall insulation used to contain Urea Formaldehyde (UF) foam. This is a water-based material that was directly injected into brickwork. It’s made of a mixture of urea formaldehyde resin (an acidic foaming agent) and a propellant such as air.
Today, builders use different materials that are safer and offer more reliable insulation. One of the most common is mineral wool insulation, which contains the following construction chemicals:
- Silicon dioxide
- Calcium oxide
- Magnesium oxide
- Aluminum oxide
Mineral wool insulation works by forming a thermal barrier inside the cavity wall gap. It contains thousands of tiny fibres that form pockets of air. This prevents air movement inside the gap, reducing the amount of heat that can escape.
Glass
Glass is an essential material in home construction. It’s used in windows, doors, and skylights.
The construction chemicals found in glass include:
- Soda
- Silicon dioxide
- Sodium oxide
- Calcium oxide (lime)
- Magnesium oxide
- Aluminium oxide
- Iron oxide
- Boron oxide
- Alumina
The state of glass is quite unique. The solid state is produced by cooling molten material, so the arrangement of atoms is similar to that of a liquid.
Lead oxide produces a gas that’s easier to melt and shape. Boron oxide and alumina help to create gas that can withstand temperature changes. Previously, increases and decreases in temperature would weaken glass and cause it to break, possibly causing injuries.
The glass that’s usually used in windows is known as soda lime glass. It’s used because of its low cost and ability to be shaped and melted. It is, however, less chemically resistant than some other types of glass. Soda lime glass is mainly composed of silica (sand), soda, and lime.
Cement
Homes and commercial buildings require large amounts of cement. It’s used in foundations, walls, drives, and walkways.
Making cement requires the use of several construction chemicals. The following are combined as raw materials before the mixing process:
- Calcium oxide
- Silicon dioxide
- Alumina
- Iron oxide
- Magnesium oxide
The chemical composition has to be controlled in order for cement to be effective. For example, silicon dioxide and calcium oxide are great for increased strength, but too much of them can increase the time it takes for cement to set.
Aluminium oxide, on the other hand, has a property that actually helps the material to set.
Iron oxide colours the cement, as well as helping the fusion of materials. Magnesium oxide is a naturally occurring mineral which should be kept to a minimum. If the content exceeds 5%, it will cause cracks and weaken the structure.
Sand
Many people don’t realise the significant role sand plays in home construction. It’s a raw material used to make concrete, mortar, glass, plaster, and asphalt.
Sand is a naturally occurring substance that contains several construction chemicals, including:
- Silicon dioxide
- Calcium carbonate
- Chlorite
A common constituent of sand is silicon dioxide (or silica). It’s ideal in the construction industry, as it has strong covalent bonds and a high melting and boiling point.
Sand will undergo various treatments and processes to produce the desired grade for a particular application. Depending on its properties, it may be used in various building materials.
Calcium carbonate (in limestone form) isn’t used by itself in the construction industry due to its vulnerability to acid rain. Instead, it’s used as a raw substance for building materials. Interestingly, calcium carbonate is also used in paper and baby nappies.
Steel
Builders use steel throughout the home construction process. It provides structural support, reinforces concrete, and is found in window frames and doors.
Steel contains many common construction chemicals, including:
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Sulphur
- Nickel
- Chromium
- Vanadium
Due to its strength, steel is often used as beams to support buildings. It’s durable and boasts a high strength-to-weight ratio compared to many other building materials. Additionally, steel is fire-resistant and is not an organic material, so it won’t rot or crack.
Vanadium is a chemical element which occurs naturally in mineral and fossil fuel deposits. It is added to steel to make it stronger. The industrial vanadium compound, vanadium pentoxide, is used as a catalyst for the production of sulphuric acid.
Conclusion
The structural integrity and efficiency of modern homes rely on a blend of chemical compounds that provide strength, insulation, and durability. By understanding the chemistry behind essential building materials, the construction industry continues to work toward safer and more sustainable building practices.
