Any material used in construction, such as materials for house building, is considered a building material. Wood, concrete, aggregates, metals, blocks, cement, and earth are the most commonly used building materials utilized in development.

These were chosen because they are inexpensive for building projects. Buildings have been constructed from a wide variety of naturally occurring materials, including wood, rocks, clay, sand, and even twigs and leaves. In addition to materials that can be found in nature, many man-made products are utilized, some more synthetic than others. In many nations, the production of building materials is a well-established industry.

The use of these materials typically falls into a few distinct specialty trades, like carpentry, plumbing, roofing, and insulation work. Habitats and structures, including homes, are the focus of this reference.