Materials hub

Compare building materials, then buy direct.

Straight talk on steel, wood, composite, and concrete for owner-builders. Each page has the tradeoffs plus vetted suppliers and products so you can go from research to purchase without a contractor middleman.

$25–$60 / ton delivered

Gravel

Driveways, drainage, and base material — priced by the ton

DrivewaysDrainageFoundation base

$30–$65 / ton

Crushed Stone

Angular aggregate that locks in place — great for base

Paver baseDriveway baseWalkway sub-base

$15–$50 / ton

Sand

Bedding, leveling, and paver joint fill

Paver basePlay sandConcrete mix

$20–$50 / yd³

Topsoil

Screened black dirt for lawns, gardens, and grading

New lawn installGarden bedsRegrading

$10–$25 / yd³

Fill Dirt

Cheap, unscreened dirt for building up grade

BackfillRegradingBerms

$25–$45 / yd³

Mulch

Bark, hardwood, and dyed mulch by the yard

Flower bedsTree ringsPlayground safety surface

$60–$180 / ton

Decorative Rock

River rock, lava rock, and colored aggregate

XeriscapingDry creek bedsModern landscaping

$18–$35 / sq ft installed

Steel

Long-span, low-maintenance, engineered strength

Pole barnsSteel buildingsMetal roofs

$28–$50 / sq ft installed

Aluminum

Light, rust-proof, coastal-friendly

Coastal buildsGutters & trimRailings

$15–$28 / sq ft installed

Wood

Familiar, flexible, and forgiving to build with

ShedsDecksSmall workshops

$0.50–$2 / linear ft

Lumber

Dimensional framing lumber, boards, and timbers

FramingDecking substructureShed builds

$25–$90 / sheet

Plywood

Sheathing, subfloor, and cabinet-grade sheet goods

Wall sheathingSubfloorCabinets

$140–$180 / yd³ delivered

Concrete

Ready-mix, bagged mix, and precast for footings, slabs, and walls

SlabsFootingsFoundation walls

$400–$900 / 1,000 brick

Brick

Facing brick, pavers, and firebrick

FacadesFireplacesGarden walls

$3–$8 / sq ft (material)

Pavers

Concrete and clay pavers for patios and driveways

PatiosWalkwaysDriveways

$4–$12 / sq ft installed

Roofing

Asphalt shingles, metal panels, and underlayment

ReroofsNew constructionBarn roofs

$0.50–$3 / sq ft

Insulation

Fiberglass batts, mineral wool, foam board, spray foam

Wall cavitiesAttic floorsRim joists

$0.50–$4 / linear ft

PVC Pipe

Drain, waste, vent, and irrigation pipe

DWV plumbingIrrigationConduit sleeves

$1–$8 / sq ft

Plastic Sheets

Polycarbonate, acrylic, HDPE, and vapor barrier

GreenhousesVapor barriersGuards

$15–$50 / linear ft installed

Fencing

Wood, vinyl, aluminum, chain-link, and composite

PrivacyPet containmentPool code compliance

$25–$60 / sq ft installed

Decking

PT, cedar, hardwood, and composite deck boards

Backyard decksDocksPool surrounds

$25–$45 / sq ft for decking

Plastic & Composite

Zero-maintenance for decking and small storage

DecksSmall storage shedsTrim

5–10% of total project cost

Concrete & Hardware

Footings, fasteners, connectors, and anchors

Post footingsDeck piersPost bases