Houses have always been built from a variety of materials. Historically, these materials were derived locally from the area where the homes were built. Logs, adobe, thatch—whatever materials were available were used.

Today, thanks to mass transportation and the industrialization of building products, there is far more standardization. Lumber, steel, composites such as fiberglass, masonry such as concrete, and similar materials dominate home construction in North America and much of the world.

This section of HomeTips.com will help you sort out conventional construction materials and guide you in making smart buying decisions.