Use This NAHB Resource to Help Select New Home Building Materials
Home builders throughout the United States are grappling with building material price surges, and shortages or delays for certain orders, which are leading many to explore alternatives to complete or start projects.
Builders face many choices in selecting new products, materials, equipment and fixtures to use in constructing a home, and can determine which building materials best fit their needs by getting information about new or unfamiliar items from manufacturers and distributors. Carefully reviewing building material choices in advance may help eliminate non-conforming building materials, returns and possibly disputes.
NAHB has developed a guide, Assessing Building Materials, for builders who may not have their own review process for gathering information from manufacturers and distributors when considering the selection of new building materials.
The guide is intended to arm members with the most important factor when evaluating new materials or products: information. Use the guide to step through the information collection process to make an informed decision on deploying new products or materials. The guide is not intended to be exhaustive or all-inclusive, but it will help builders ask the right questions and seek the most relevant information.
Latest from NAHBNow
Membership
Oct 29, 2026
NAHB Names Alison Benson as its New Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
NAHB has promoted Alison Benson, CPA, to chief financial officer and treasurer. Benson brings more than two decades of accounting, financial planning and nonprofit financial management experience to the role. She joined NAHB in February 2026 as vice president, controller, and also served as interim treasurer.
Education
Oct 28, 2026
How Project Managers Can Effectively Set Expectations to Find Success
Hone your management skills in an upcoming Nov. 12 live online course titled “Project Controls Fundamentals: Monitoring Scope, Cost and Time” from 1-4 p.m. ET.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Oct 29, 2026
PCE Inflation Accelerated in September
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge accelerated in September after holding at 3.0% for three consecutive months, complicating the Fed’s path to its 2% target. Consumer spending continued to be pushed up by elevated energy prices rather than income growth, driving the personal saving rate to the lowest level in nearly four years.
Economics
Oct 29, 2026
U.S. Economy Accelerated in the Third Quarter of 2026
The U.S. economy grew at a faster pace in the third quarter of 2026, supported by stronger consumer spending, robust business investment, and increased government spending. However, residential investment remained a weak spot, highlighting the continued challenges facing the housing sector amid elevated borrowing costs.
Economics
Oct 28, 2026
Homeownership Rate Rises to 65.5%
The latest homeownership rate reached 65.5% in the third quarter of 2026, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). While this was a modest quarterly decrease, the broader picture continues to reflect significant affordability challenges.