Various materials are used to construct miniature buildings and dolls houses. They each have pros and cons. Before you start construction, read about these materials to familiarize yourself with the tools, techniques, and characteristics of the various building materials.

Photo ©2007 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.Dolls houses and other miniature scale buildings often come as kits or completed structures made from MDF (medium density fiberboard) or Baltic Birch plywood. There are pros and cons to each material which are discussed here. Both materials give off some gasses, so they should never be left unfinished. Plywood structures are lighter and can be built to be dismantled or added on to at a later date. The decision of which to use is personal, but this article gives you some of the pros and cons of each material.

Photo ©2007 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.This material is used mostly for indoor and outdoor display support for photo's and posters. It makes a great building material for miniaturist's, but it isn't the same as the more commonly available foam core board. You are best using fine tooth power tools to cut it, but it's light weight, ease of building and smooth, water resistant surface, makes it ideal for many miniature applications.
Luan/Lauan Plywood is often the material used for less expensive dollhouse kits. It is an easily worked material, but requires more finishing work than some other choices. In kits this plywood is often die cut and assembled using tab and slot construction methods rather than nails or screws.

Photo ©2008 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.Bookboard , Davey board or paper board is an inexpensive, acid neutral, dense paper based board used for strong boxes and book covers. It is often used to construct roomboxes and breakaway boxes for dolls house displays and is also a choice material for architectural models. It can also be used as a base for
printable miniature buildings. Bookboard is available from scrapbook and art suppliers or book repair specialists.

Photo copyright 2009 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.Sheet styrene can be bend and shaped as well as glued to make buildings and other models. It is most often used to scratchbuild railroad model buildings and rolling stock, but has many other uses as well.

Photo ©2007 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.Creative Paperclay® is a useful medium for creating miniature plaster, stucco, pargetting, stone tiles, tiled floors and walls, landscaping rock and stone effects, or small three dimensional miniatures or sculptures. With handling properties very similar to fine clay, this is a safe, easy way to create strong lightweight miniatures which need no curing, other than a protective coat of sealant.

Photo ©2007 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.This simple technique will turn new wood into aged silvered, brown or blackened wood within minutes of application. This is a great way to make repairs to items which have naturally weathered or to create the look of weathered boards or shingles on miniature buildings.

Photo ©2007 Lesley Shepherd, Licensed to About.com Inc.Wood Shingle effects can be created in many scales using wood, wood veneers, paper tags or paper strips. The shingles can be shaped to particular patterns for siding, or used to create rustic or aged roofs.