List of building materials


This is a list of building materials. Many types of building materials are used in the construction industry to create :Category:Buildings and structures|buildings and structures.
These categories of materials and products are used by architects and construction project managers to specify the materials and methods used for building projects.
Some building materials like cold rolled steel framing are considered modern methods of construction, over the traditionally slower methods like blockwork and timber. Many building materials have a variety of uses, therefore it is always a good idea to consult the manufacturer to check if a product is best suited to your requirements.

Catalogs

Catalogs distributed by architectural product suppliers are typically organized into these groups.
Material refer to: Category
Cold rolled steel framing
Steel frames
Compressed earth block, mud brick, rammed earth:Category:Appropriate technology
Concrete:Category:Concrete
Conveyor systems
  • Elevator or "lift"
  • Escalator
    		• :Category:Vertical transport devices
    Composites:Category:Composite materials
    Thermal protection
  • Building insulation
    		• :Category:Thermal protection
    Moisture protection
  • Building envelope
  • Conformal coating
  • Damp
  • Housewrap
    		• :Category:Moisture protection
    Doors
  • Stile and rail, raised panel, wood clad
  • Access, sliding glass doors, tambour
  • Folding doors, garage door, storefront
  • Door hardware
    		• :Category:Doors:Category:Door furniture
    Electrical systems and equipment
    		:Category:Electrical systems
    Surface finishing
  • Plaster & gypsum board
  • Cement render
  • Ceramic tile, quarry tile, pavers, mosaic
  • Dropped ceiling, coffered ceiling
  • Flooring wide plank, terrazzo, carpet
  • Marble
  • Wall covering, wallpaper, acoustic
  • Paint, wood stain, faux finishing
  • Staff a type of artificial stone
  • Stucco
  • Wood finishing
    		• :Category:Wood finishing materials:Category:Wood finishing techniques
    • also "gyp-board" or "drywall"
    • :Category:Roofs
    • :Category:Ceilings
    • :Category:Floors
    • :Category:Walls
    • House painting
    Fire suppression equipment:Category:Fire suppression
    Furnishings:Category:Furniture
    HVAC :Category:HVAC
    Masonry, mortar, grout
  • Adobe, brick and brickwork, glass brick, terra cotta
  • Artificial stone
  • Cinder block or concrete block
  • Noxer block
  • Stone dry stacked or mortar set
  • Urbanite broken-up concrete
    		• :Category:Masonry
  • :Category:Bricks
  • also: "Concrete Masonry Units"
  • :Category:Stone
    • Metals
  • Structural steel: I-beam & column
  • Rebar
  • Wire rope and cables
  • Metal joist, decking, framing, trusses
  • Metal fabrications
  • * Stairway, ladder, railing, grating, Strut channel, roofing
  • Decorative metal
    		• :Category:Metals
    "Openings" include Doors & Windows:Category:Doors
    Plastics:Category:Plastics
    Plumbing fixtures and equipment:Category:Plumbing
    Building safety:Category:Safety codes
    Security systems:Category:Security
    Specialties:Category:Architectural design
    Telecommunications equipment:Category:Telecommunications
    Wood, carpentry
  • Rough carpentry
  • * Heavy timbers, log home, timber framing or "post and beam"
  • * Bamboo
  • * Engineered wood, dimensional lumber
  • ** Stud, joist, rafter
  • ** Treated lumber & wood decking
  • * Sheathing, subflooring, panelling
  • ** Plywood, shiplap, tongue and groove
  • ** Oriented strand board
  • * Parallel strand lumber or "PSL"
  • * Glued laminated timber or "glulam"
  • Finish carpentry or "architectural woodwork"
  • * Veneer, plastic laminate, wood panel
  • * Case-building products
  • ** Millwork, bookcase, cabinets
  • * Ornamental woodwork
  • * Trim, molding or "moulding"
  • ** Chair rail, baseboard, casing, sill
    		• :Category:Wood:Category:Woodworking
    		:Category:Windows

    Industry standards

    The Construction Specifications Institute maintains the following industry standards: