How To Choose The Best Wall Material For Your Project

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The walls are probably the most important part of any building. But just which material should you build them out of? Here are five of the most common wall materials compared. 

Brick
Brick is the most common material used for walls in houses in the UK. It’s also used for many other structures ranging from offices to schools. A big reason for brick’s popularity is that it’s very low maintenance compared to materials like wood and metal, as well offering amazing fire resistance. It’s also available in many different styles including different patterns and colours.

The downside of brick walls is that they have to be built on site - and this can be time-consuming. Brick also often has to be combined with other materials to provide insulation, and it’s not the most eco-friendly material to manufacture.

Stone
Stone shares many of the same properties as brick. It’s arguably even more resilient, lasting centuries without much maintenance required. Materials like slate are sometimes favoured for their luxury look, while other stone materials can provide a more rustic look.

Compared to brick, stone does generally come at a higher price tag. This is particularly the case with luxury stones like marble. Stone also does not absorb heat as well as brick - which can make it more suitable in warmer climates, but sometimes less suitable in colder climates. 

Concrete
Concrete is generally cheaper than brick and can offer increased strength and water resistance. It’s this increased water resistance that makes precast concrete wall panels very popular in many industrial settings like docks and farms, where grains and aggregates need to be kept dry. Concrete is also a popular material for general buildings - unlike brick and stone, it can be more easily molded into various shapes.

Manufacturing concrete unfortunately produces more emissions than brick, and concrete also isn’t as good an insulator, making it less suited to eco-friendly builds. On top of this, concrete is known for not ageing particularly well, and may be seen as a little too ‘brutalist’ for some people.

Timber
Timber has been making a comeback as a wall material. The rise of sustainable forestry has made it a more eco-friendly choice than brick. It’s also got better insulation properties than brick. On top of this, timber walls can be prefabricated off-site, allowing for quicker construction times. It also has a rustic natural look that can be very appealing. 

Of course, timber is more vulnerable to fire, floods and pests - making it unsuitable for some purposes and locations. Compared  to other materials, timber walls also require a lot of maintenance including regular treatment and inspections.

Metal
You can also build walls out of metal. From steel barns to container homes, there are many different applications. Like timber walls, metal walls can be prefabricated off-site. They can also be a relatively eco-friendly option - especially when using recycled metals. An advantage of metal over timber is the fact that it is fire-proof and largely pest-proof. It’s also currently cheaper than timber.

Of course, metal’s industrial look may not be for everyone. Metal also has to be regularly treated to prevent it rusting/corroding. On top of this, metal can be noisy in weather like rain if not soundproofed with another material.