Main Types of Construction

The Role of Architects and Engineers in Construction

Main Types of Construction

The 4 main types of construction vary depending on the project. Engineers and architects use these categories to prepare designs, specifications, and material requirements.

Knowing the type of construction helps ensure the right design, planning, and building materials are used.

The four primary types are:

Residential construction,
Commercial construction,
Industrial construction,
Infrastructure construction.

Residential Construction

Residential construction focuses on creating spaces where people live. This includes everything from single-family homes to large apartment complexes.

This Condo towers, even when they include multiple levels of underground parking, are still considered residential construction because their primary purpose is housing. In mixed-use projects (e.g., retail or office space on the lower levels with condos above), the residential portion is classified as residential, while the commercial space is classified separately as commercial construction.

Projects must balance comfort, durability, and efficiency, while meeting local building codes.

Examples:

Single-family houses,
Duplexes and townhouses,
Condominiums and apartments,
High-rise condo towers (often with underground parking)

Commercial Construction

Commercial construction involves creating buildings and spaces intended for business use. This includes everything from office spaces and retail stores to warehouses, storage facilities, and hotels. Projects often require strict building codes, zoning regulations, and accessibility standards.

Examples:

Shopping malls,
restaurants,
condo towers,
office towers,
warehouses.

Industrial Construction

Industrial construction is highly specialized and focuses on facilities that produce goods or provide essential services. These structures must meet strict safety and efficiency standards to support heavy machinery, large-scale production, and complex systems.

Examples:

factories,
power plants,
refineries,
large warehouses,
processing facilities.

Infrastructure Construction

This includes transportation networks, utilities, and public works that keep cities and towns running smoothly.

Examples:

Highways,
bridges,
railways,
pipelines,
water supply systems,
tunnels, and dams.

SUPERSEAL Waterproof Coatings, SUPERSEAL Double Drain with Geo, and Dimpled Foundation Membrane, provide drainage and waterproofing for all four types of construction.

What is an Architect?

Architects are the project leads who design the structure, aesthetics, and functional flow of a building. While they create the visual concept, they also act as the primary specifier for critical building materials—including the building envelope and waterproofing systems—to ensure the facility is code-compliant and durable.

Key Responsibilities:

Design & Layout: Creating the spatial look and feel of the project.
Product Specification: Selecting materials for the "Master Format" (including waterproofing).
Code Compliance: Ensuring the building meets safety, fire, and zoning codes.
Coordination: Managing the various engineers (civil, structural) to ensure the design is built correctly.

What is the role of Engineers in construction?

Engineers calculate loads, pressures, soil conditions, and structural forces so the building won’t crack, sink, flood, or fail over time.

They make sure every part of the project meets building codes and safety standards. Design the Structure and Foundations
Manage Water, Drainage, and Ground Conditions.
Lay Out Roads, Utilities, and Site Access
Coordinate All Technical Disciplines
Prepare Permits, Reports, and Approvals
Inspect the Work During Construction

What Is an Envelope Consultant?

An envelope consultant is a technical specialist who focuses entirely on the building envelope—the physical barrier that separates the indoor environment from the outdoor elements. Their primary job is to ensure the "shell" of the building effectively controls water, moisture, air, and temperature.

While architects focus on aesthetics and engineers focus on structure, Envelope Consultants focus on durability. They bridge the gap between design and construction to prevent costly failures like leaks, mold, and condensation.

Key Responsibilities:

Design & Specification: They select or approve critical moisture protection systems, including waterproof coatings, dimpled membranes, drainage mats, and flashings.
Plan Review: Before construction begins, they audit architectural drawings to ensure water drainage paths are continuous and details are code-compliant.
Quality Control: They visit the job site to inspect the installation of waterproofing and air barriers, ensuring contractors follow the manufacturer's specifications.
Forensics & Troubleshooting: If a building has existing leaks, they investigate the root cause (such as hydrostatic pressure or poor grading) and design a repair strategy.

Why They Matter:
Envelope consultants are the best insurance against future damage. By involving them early, projects avoid the "leaky condo" syndrome and ensure that products like SUPERSEAL are installed correctly for maximum lifespan.

What is a Structural Engineer?

Structural engineers make sure buildings stand safely, stay strong, and handle real-world forces like weight, wind, soil pressure, water, earthquakes, and snow. They calculate how much weight each part of a building can carry so the building is safe and sturdy.

This includes:

Beams
Columns
Floors
Walls
Foundations
Roof systems

What is a Geo-Technical Engineer?

Geo Technical engineers study soil, rock, groundwater, and earth conditions to make sure a building or structure can be built safely. They create the excavation strategy for the foundation. Their work determines whether the site is safe and what foundation system is required. This includes::

How strong the soil is
How deep the foundation should go
How water behaves in the ground
What risks exist (settlement, shifting, sliding, flooding, etc.)

.

What is a Civil Engineer?

Civil engineers design and oversee the construction of the infrastructure that keeps communities working.civil engineers focus on everything that connects and supports those buildings. Civil engineers plan and design the site layout for a project, including:

Roads and driveways
Stormwater drainage
Water supply and sewer systems
Site grading and elevations
Parking lots
Sidewalks, curbs, and site access
Retaining walls and slopes
Erosion control and flood protection

SUPERSEAL Waterproof Coatings, Double Drain with Geo, and Dimpled Foundation Membrane, provide drainage and waterproofing for all four types of construction. are the most recommended products for all construction projects. applications. They are chosen based on guidance from:

Architects
Structural, Civil, and Geo-technical Engineers
Building Envelope Consultants

SUPERSEAL Waterproof Coatings SUPERSEAL Drainage Membranes

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