The materials library is an organization-wide catalog of materials and building assemblies. It accelerates both estimating and procurement by providing pre-built line items that can be imported into estimates and RFQs with a single click.
A material entry contains:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Material name (e.g., “Zip System R-12 Sheathing”) |
| Manufacturer | Manufacturer name |
| SKU / Model | Product number |
| Unit | Unit of measure (SF, LF, EA, BF, etc.) |
| Unit cost | Typical cost (update as pricing changes) |
| Cost code | Default cost code for estimating |
| Category | Material category (Insulation, Air Barrier, Windows, etc.) |
| Notes | Spec requirements, handling instructions, lead time |
| Datasheet | Attach product data sheet PDF |
The catalog is searchable and filterable by category and manufacturer. Materials can be shared organization-wide or scoped to a specific project.
An assembly is a group of materials representing a complete building system — for example, a PHIUS-compliant wall assembly:
12" Double-Stud Wall Assembly (PHIUS R-60)
├── 2x6 Exterior Stud Wall @ 16" OC — LF
├── 5/8" Zip System Sheathing — SF
├── Dense-Pack Cellulose (exterior cavity) — BF
├── Dense-Pack Cellulose (interior cavity) — BF
├── 2x4 Service Cavity @ 24" OC — LF
├── 5/8" Drywall — SF
└── Zip Tape (seams) — LFNavigate to Procurement → Materials Library → Assemblies → New Assembly:
From the estimate line items view, click Add from Library → Assembly. Select the assembly, enter the total quantity (e.g., 1,200 SF of wall), and TrueGrade expands it into component line items with calculated quantities.
Build assemblies for your most common passive house wall, roof, and foundation details. Once your typical details are in the library, a PHIUS project estimate can be assembled in under an hour.
Pull assemblies directly into RFQ line items so vendors are pricing the same components your estimate uses. This eliminates scope gaps between the estimate and the winning bid.
Materials pricing changes frequently — lumber, insulation, and window costs can shift 10–20% over a project cycle. Update unit costs in the catalog after each procurement round. Estimates that were built from outdated library prices will show a variance when actuals are entered, but the estimate itself is not retroactively modified.