ABSTRACT
The durability of building components varies considerably with their nature: paint lasts only a few years, while brick and stone units often last a century or longer. Durability also depends on use and on the quality of maintenance. Some materials such as glass and asbestos cement goods are brittle and easily damaged on impact, others such as reinforced concrete and stone are very strong. How long materials and components last depends on where they are and what forces they have to endure. Dampness, chemicals in the air, rain and ground, impact and rough usage, all tend to shorten the lives of materials. Durability can be extended through an adequate programme of maintenance, including cleaning.
