Cement, bricks and tiles are the main construction materials used in the construction of buildings. Today, the increased demand for various building materials has led to many building materials manufacturing companies. Many new building materials are hazards to the environment, which have become of great concern to everyone.

Traditionally, the basic types of building materials used for construction were mud, stone, and brush. The mud was used to fill in the spaces between the bricks and acted as concrete and insulation. Centuries ago, houses were made entirely of earth and clay. This was followed by the use of rocks (mainly granite) as a building material. From the Neolithic period to the medieval age and modern times, granite has been commonly used as a building material. Shrub structures were commonly seen in tropical areas and were made entirely of plant parts such as branches, bark, twigs, and leaves. These structures were often used by Native Americans as resting places.

Stones and bricks were also common in construction. Different types of masonry bricks have been used and continue to be used. This includes specially shaped bricks for joints, tapping, and tools, as well as glazed or rubbed bricks for decorative purposes.

Thatch is one of the oldest types of building materials used for roofing. Another generic building material is wood. Due to the diverse character of different types of wood, it can be used for any type of structure in most climates. Although wooden structures were very common in earlier times, they disappeared with the approach of concrete structures.

Concrete is a composite construction material made up of aggregates and a binder (cement). Concrete finds good use in all types of building construction. Fly ash is an important ingredient in concrete mix due to its high thermal insulation and lightweight.

More recently, new types of building materials are being used. These include metals (for the structural framework of larger buildings), plastics, asbestos, and fabrics. Other building materials include tar-based waterproofing materials, linoleum paper, polyvinyl chloride clay, and solvent-based interior wall coatings.