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Choosing the Right Building Materials: A Guide from Travis Perkins

Home July, 10, 2025

How difficult is it to manage everything related to construction and home improvement? With the right builder's merchant it's easier than it looks. In the journey of selecting the right building materials for your next big project you can look for building materials on Travis Perkins. It is a leading supplier of construction materials in the UK. It provides high-quality sustainable cost-effective solutions for your building needs.

Whether tackling a modest DIY task or a major construction endeavor this guide will prove invaluable. It simplifies the selection process for the right building materials. Ever wondered why making the right choice is so essential? You must ensure your project's durability aesthetic appeal and overall success.

Prepare to discover the keys to making knowledgeable choices for your project with Ofmum. Our experts are here to support you through every phase. So you can create a sturdy and sustainable foundation for your dream space. In this blog we're delving into the all-important topic of selecting suitable building materials for your next big project. A successful outcome hinges on choosing durable cost-effective and sustainable materials.

Types of Building Materials at Travis Perkins

Do you want to know what Travis Perkins offers? It provides various building materials to cater to multiple construction needs. Here is a list of types of building materials available:

A) Timber and Sheet Materials:

Travis Perkins has a wide range of high-quality sheet and sawn wood products. You can buy treated wood CLS stud work wood scaffold boards and roofing battens here. These flexible woods can be used for various building jobs inside and outside. The company also has a guide on the different kinds of sheet materials that are popular in building projects in the UK. It has OSB panels oak sheets chipboard sheets plywood sheets and MDF boards. You can also see what each material is good and bad at ensuring you have a complete answer for building jobs.

B) Bricks and Blocks:

Travis Perkins has a lot of different kinds of bricks from regular bricks to facing bricks. They can get you the right style and amount of bricks for building or fixing things. You can get a lot of variety including traditional red bricks or bricks in various designs and finishes. It has face bricks available in a range of colors and textures. These bricks with thicknesses ranging from 65 mm to 75 mm are suitable for use on walls and houses built in the modern era. They also offer Class B engineering bricks and Class A bricks. These bricks are used for more complex projects that need long-lasting structural brickwork.

C) Roofing Materials:

Travis Perkins also has high-quality roofing materials and accessories. This ensures that your roof will survive for years to come. Whether constructing a new roof or fixing an existing one you'll discover various solutions to suit your needs. Roof tiles and slates are available in multiple styles and materials. You can choose from modern synthetic tiling or traditional clay and slate. Roofing Felt and corrugated sheet roofing are available for flat roofs and various types of constructions. Roofing materials outside cladding and roof lights should all be ordered now.

D) Insulation Materials:

Travis Perkins' comprehensive and well-installed insulation options will keep your house warmer for longer. They can help you with insulation in every part of your house from the attic and roof to the walls pipes and cavities. Insulation plays a crucial role in modern building practices. During the winter insulation will help a property heat more efficiently; during the summer it will keep the inside cooler. They provide many options for energy-efficient insulation for homes and businesses. You can choose from a rigid PIR (polyisocyanurate) insulation board for insulating walls and floors.

E) Plaster and Plasterboard:

Travis Perkins' extensive selection of plasterboard accessories fittings and ready-mix plaster. It provides everything required to complete walls and ceilings. It has various wet plasters including hardware multi-finish and one-coat varieties from well-known manufacturers including Artex and British Gypsum. With the different types of thermally insulated plasterboard custom plasterboard and regular plasterboard available it is easy and quick to cover extensive areas. You can pick from other choices such as boards resistant to fire water and unwanted noise. Our store has all the things you need to fix and finish things like plasterboard screws coving glue tile backing boards cement tape and more. Please place an order for building supplies with us right now.

F) Fixings and Fasteners:

A variety of fixings and fasteners are available at Travis Perkins including screws nails bolts and other essential hardware for construction projects. Threaded fasteners are often used to secure components that could need future disassembly replacement or adjustment. Screws bolts and nuts are the three main types of threaded fasteners. However there are many more varieties. Each of these groups has its unique variant.

With a broad selection of building materials Travis Perkins aims to meet the diverse needs of customers in the construction industry.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Building Materials

What factors do you consider to ensure your choices are appropriate? It's essential for your project's needs durability sustainability and budget. Consider the following factors:

1. Project Requirements

  1. Evaluate the scale and scope of your project taking into account its size layout and intended purpose.
  2. Identify structural requirements and load-bearing considerations.
  3. Consider any specific needs related to the environment or project location.

2. Durability and Lifespan

  1. Select materials that can withstand environmental factors. Check these especially moisture temperature fluctuations and natural disasters.
  2. Take into account the durability of each material and its maintenance needs.
  3. Choose materials that will resist wear and tear over time.

3. Sustainability

  1. Select materials that have minimal environmental impact and are available locally.
  2. Select materials that are recyclable or renewable.
  3. Take into account energy efficiency and waste minimization when choosing materials.

4. Cost and Budget

  1. Compare the cost of various materials including initial expenses and long-term maintenance costs.
  2. Consider the overall project budget and allocate funds accordingly for building materials.
  3. Consider the potential return on investment when selecting higher-quality materials.

5. Aesthetics and Design

  1. Choose materials that align with the project's desired aesthetic and architectural style.
  2. Think about how materials will age and the way their appearance may evolve over time.
  3. Pay attention to texture color and finish when selecting materials.

6. Safety and Compliance

  1. Ensure all materials meet local building codes safety regulations and industry standards.
  2. Choose materials with appropriate fire resistance toxicity levels and slip resistance.
  3. Consider any specific safety requirements related to the intended use of the building.

7. Availability and Accessibility

  1. Consider various materials' availability and lead times. Mainly when working on a tight timeline.
  2. Choose materials that can be easily sourced and delivered to your project location.
  3. Consider the potential for material shortages or supply chain disruptions.

You can guarantee that your construction project satisfies your specific requirements. This helps you check if your house is built with durable sustainable and cost-effective materials. So remember to check these factors when choosing building materials.

Getting a Clear Picture of Your Project Requirements

It's crucial to have a clear understanding of your job requirements. It helps you choose the suitable building materials by giving you more information. You can determine what essential long-lasting and long-term things you must consider. This is especially crucial if you've considered the building's purpose size and scope. The process should proceed as follows:

1. Assess the Scope and Scale of the Project

  1. Determine the building's size and layout. Also check for any unique design features or challenges.
  2. Determine the intended use and occupancy of the space. Consider all purposes including residential commercial industrial and mixed-use.
  3. Consider any future expansion plans or potential changes in usage. These changes impact the construction materials required.

2. Identify Structural Requirements and Durability Factors

  1. Analyze the load-bearing needs of the project. Consider any heavy equipment or machinery that may require additional support.
  2. Consider the impact of environmental factors on the durability of the materials. Here is a list of factors to check for moisture temperature fluctuations and natural disasters.
  3. Estimate the anticipated lifespan of the structure. Choose materials that are durable over time.

3. Consider Environmental Impacts and Energy Efficiency

  1. Evaluate the sustainability goals of the project. Give priority to using environmentally friendly and energy-efficient materials.
  2. Evaluate the possibilities for reducing waste and reusing materials during the construction process.
  3. Factor in the building's long-term energy consumption. Select materials that can reduce heating cooling and lighting needs.

If you know exactly what your job needs you can make smart choices when choosing building materials. This way you can be sure that your building project will last meet your sustainability goals and allow people to use the room as planned for many years to come.

Choosing the Right Construction Materials for Your Projects

Another essential consideration is the type of project and its specific needs. Let's have a look at some joint construction projects and the recommended materials for each:

1. Residential Projects

  1. Foundation: Most of the time concrete blocks bricks or cast concrete are used to build the base of homes.
  2. Structural Frame: Frames made of wood steel or concrete can be used based on the form the amount of weight that needs to be carried and the budget.
  3. Walls: In-home projects bricks blocks or wooden frames with drywall are often used for the walls.
  4. Roofing: Roofing tiles made of clay or concrete slate or asphalt shingles are all popular choices for homes.

2. Commercial Projects

  1. Structural Frame: For commercial buildings the frame usually needs to be made of stronger materials like steel beams and columns or reinforced concrete.
  2. Walls: Commercial buildings often choose precast concrete panels curtain walls or brick veneer because they last long and don't need much upkeep.
  3. Roofing: Often metal roofing systems or flat roofing materials like PVC or EPDM coverings are used for businesses.

3. Landscaping and Outdoor Projects

  1. Decking and Patios: For decks and patios outside you can use pressure-treated wood composite decking or natural stone steps.
  2. Fencing: Depending on the look and amount of protection you want a fence made of wood metal or PVC can be used.
  3. Retaining Walls: For gardening retaining walls can be made of concrete blocks natural stone or wood.

4. Renovation Projects

  1. Replacement Windows and Doors: People often update their windows and doors with frames made of uPVC wood or metal and energy-efficient glass.
  2. Insulation: Fiberglass cellulose or foam insulation can make remodeled rooms more energy efficient.
  3. Flooring: Depending on the room's purpose and style engineered wood laminate or tile flooring can be used for different renovations.

Choosing the right products for your building job is very important so that it lasts works well and is a success overall. Talking to professionals like architects or structural engineers can help you make smart choices and pick the best building materials for your needs.

Conclusion

Choosing the right building materials is a pivotal aspect of any construction endeavor. There are numerous factors to consider. Among these are the project's needs how long it will last how sustainable it is and the funds. By keeping these factors in mind you can make informed decisions that will boost the success of your project.

Travis Perkins offers a wide range of high-quality and sustainable building materials. These materials cater to the varied requirements of residential commercial and outdoor construction projects.

Ofmum is dedicated to helping you select the best materials. We make sure you have everything according to your specific requirements. Also we ensure your satisfaction throughout the process.

When you buy something and have it delivered it's essential to think about things like the ways you can order how it will be shipped how it will be stored and how it handles returns. You can be sure that your project will benefit from Travis Perkins's knowledge customer service and dedication to offering the best building products on the market if you work with us.