The construction industry has seen enormous strides in building materials and increased durability over time. In Cameroon, local building materials used are both natural and artificial. We use them for the construction, development, and maintenance of a building or structure throughout its lifespan.
In the past, building materials that were commonly used consisted of branches, leaves, and animal hides that tended to rot.
With the search for buildings and structures with longer lifespans, long-lasting natural building materials such as wood, stone, and clay came into the mix.
This produced and predominance of artificial building materials such as concrete, bricks, and metals. Humans then began to research how these building materials behaved to take advantage of them.
Local Building Materials Used in Cameroon
Some of the building materials extensively utilized in Cameroon include:
- Sand
- Water
- Cement
- Granite
- Concrete
- Metal
- Wood
- POP (Plaster of Paris)
- Glass
- Paint
- Plumbing materials
Uses of different building materials in the construction industry:
1. Sand
Artificial sand, Coarse sand, and River sand are some of the diverse forms of sand we use as building materials in Cameroon.
Here are various uses of sand in the construction industry:
- As a binding substance in concrete
- For plastering
- It gives strength and balance to other materials such as concrete, cement, and asphalt.
- Also used as an abrasive to clean structural elements in the process of sandblasting
- Sand is used as a building material in the construction industry
2. Water
From the first day you open a bag of cement on a construction site, you will require lots and lots of water. As a building material, the importance of water cannot be overstated. The very strength of a structure depends on the quality and quantity of water going into the construction of this structure. Various uses of water on our construction sites include:
- As an essential element in the mixture of concrete
- For soakaway pit testing
- For subduing dust
Check Out: Cost of Building a House in Cameroon.
3. Cement
Cement is a fine, powdery-kind substance that adheres to other building materials to hold them together. On our construction sites, cement is mixed with water and used to have sand and gravel into a solid substance referred to as concrete.
There are various types of cement available in Cameroon, but the most commonly known type is Cimencam and Dangote cement. Cement in Cameroon costs 4800 XAF to 5100 XAF.
Specific manufacturers of cement in Cameroon include:
4. Granite
Granite is an igneous rock composed of mica, quartz, amphiboles, and more. Due to its excellent durability and often fantastic beauty, we use it as a building material.
Granites are found in all the regions in Cameroon. However, they occur in larger quantities in; Buea, Limbe, and Douala. We use it in the construction of kitchen countertops, the pavements you pass on your way to work, a number of the homes you enter, and even some of the most famous sources of art and architecture in the world.
5. Concrete
Concrete is a composite material from water, aggregates (granite, sand, or gravel), and cement. We use concretes extensively in constructing buildings, bridges, roads, and other structures. Different types of concretes used as building materials include:
- Hollow concrete blocks
- Aerated autoclaved concrete block (AAC)
- Concrete bricks
- Concrete stretcher block
- Solid concrete blocks similar to concrete bricks
- Lintel blocks
- Paving blocks
Concrete is used as a building material in the construction industry in Cameroon
6. Metal
In straightforward terms, metals are solid materials that are hard and shiny. Ways in which metal is utilized in the construction industry:
Aluminum
Aluminum is very popular in the construction industry. Due to its ductility, durability, and design flexibility, aluminum can be shaped into several shapes for roofing, windows, cladding, doors, etc.
Zinc
Zinc has an impressive potential to keep away corrosion. That’s why it is usually used for roofing. Most importantly, zinc is entirely recyclable and can be produced from recycled materials.
Steel
Steel has immense energy, which makes it an ideal desire for constructing buildings. Metal fabricators in Cameroon prefer using structural steel to build high-rise buildings, business sheds, bridges, garages for cars, and more.
See Also: Price and Land Measurement Units in Cameroon.
7. Wood
One of the most important blessings of using wood as a building material is that it is a natural resource. It is readily available and economically attainable. Here are some advantages of using wood as a building material:
The tensile strength of wood allows it to bend beneath stress without breaking.
Its thermal properties make it resistant to excessive temperatures, which allows it to be used for ceilings.
Wood incorporates in-demand acoustic properties allowing it to absorb sound and echoes, which is why it is preferred for constructing structures like event and performance halls.
8. Plaster of Paris (POP)
POP is produced in powdered form and used as a slurry paste by mixing the dry powder with water. The hardened result is used for coating ceilings in most modern-day houses in Cameroon. We mold it into various shapes for creating architectural designs. Composed of Gypsum as its main component, POP is used to improve the aesthetics of buildings. The gypsum content provides smoothness and shine.
9. Glass
Glass is transparent, translucent, sparkling, delicate, illustrative, and brittle. It is a fascinating and helpful material with varying applications in the construction industry. The various types of glass used in the construction industry include:
- Clear glass
- Shatterproof glass
- Laminated glass
- Toughened glass
- Chromatic glass
10. Paint
Painting a structure is necessary to protect the surface from the adverse impact of atmospheric action, keep the surface clean and safe, and give it an attractive appearance. Paint is a liquid-colored substance spread over a surface to color, protect, and provide texture. When it dries, it leaves a decorative and sometimes protective coating. Different types of paints used in Cameroon include:
- Oil paints
- Enamel paints
- Aluminum paints
- Cement paints
- Emulsion paints
11. Plumbing materials
In any building, the plumbing system comprises pipe fittings and appliances designed for water supply and drainage. They supply water to every part of the building, dispose of rainwater above the ground, drain wastewater into septic tanks or sewers, and dispose of water from water closets and washbasins. The types of pipes that are available in the Cameroon building material market are:
- Asbestos cement pipes
- Cast iron pipes
- Concrete pipes
- Galvanized iron pipes
- PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)pipes
- Stoneware pipes etc.
Combining materials to complete the building construction
Confidence Real Estate believes in using different quality building materials and products to enhance and strengthen the job.