API Documentation

Header Format

Authorization: Bearer sk_sub_your_key_here

# or alternatively
X-API-Key: sk_sub_your_key_here

Error Responses

Rate Limits

Every response includes rate limit headers:

Pricing & Tiers

Upgrade at any time via GET /v1/subscription for payment link.

Check your own API key usage, rate limit status, and per-endpoint breakdown.

Query Parameters

Example

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_sub_your_key" \
  "https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/v1/usage"

{
  "data": {
    "period_days": 30,
    "summary": {
      "total_requests": "142",
      "requests_today": "23",
      "requests_this_week": "89",
      "unique_endpoints": "4",
      "avg_response_ms": "45.2"
    },
    "rate_limit": {
      "daily_limit": 100,
      "used_today": 23,
      "remaining": 77,
      "resets_at": "2026-03-03T23:59:59.999Z"
    },
    "endpoints": [...],
    "daily_breakdown": [...]
  }
}

Check your current subscription plan and upgrade options.

Example

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_sub_your_key" \
  "https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/v1/subscription"

{
  "data": {
    "plan": "free",
    "status": "active",
    "name": "Free",
    "daily_limit": 100,
    "price": "$0",
    "upgrade_to": {
      "plan": "starter",
      "price": "$49/mo",
      "daily_limit": 5000,
      "upgrade_url": "https://buy.stripe.com/6oU6oHeQm8RS8Jm56W3AY00"
    }
  }
}

Returns a paginated list of building products. Supports full-text search, filtering by category/manufacturer/performance specs, and sorting.

Query Parameters

Example Request

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_sub_your_key" \
  "https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/v1/products?category=windows&energy_star=true&max_u_value=0.25&limit=3"

Response

{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": 6,
      "name": "Andersen E-Series Triple Pane Casement",
      "slug": "andersen-e-series-triple-casement",
      "manufacturer": "Andersen",
      "category": "windows",
      "subcategory": "casement",
      "description": "Premium architectural-grade casement...",
      "width_mm": 762,
      "height_mm": 1524,
      "u_value": "0.170",
      "shgc": "0.190",
      "vt": "0.330",
      "stc_rating": 37,
      "frame_material": "Wood/Aluminum",
      "glazing_type": "Triple Low-E",
      "price_min_usd": "1200.00",
      "price_max_usd": "2400.00",
      "warranty_years": 20,
      "energy_star": true,
      "certifications": ["ENERGY STAR","NFRC","AAMA","PHI"],
      "model_number": "AE-TC3060"
    }
  ],
  "pagination": {
    "page": 1,
    "limit": 3,
    "total": 7,
    "total_pages": 3,
    "has_next": true,
    "has_prev": false
  },
  "filters_applied": {
    "category": "windows",
    "energy_star": "true",
    "max_u_value": "0.25"
  }
}

Returns a single product by its URL slug. Returns 404 if not found.

Example

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_sub_your_key" \
  "https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/v1/products/andersen-400-casement"

Response

{
  "data": {
    "id": 2,
    "name": "Andersen 400 Series Casement Window",
    "slug": "andersen-400-casement",
    "manufacturer": "Andersen",
    ...all product fields
  }
}

Returns all product categories with subcategories and product counts.

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_sub_your_key" \
  "https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/v1/categories"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "category": "doors",
      "product_count": "16",
      "subcategories": ["entry","patio","multi-slide","garage","interior","folding"]
    },
    {
      "category": "insulation",
      "product_count": "18",
      "subcategories": ["fiberglass-batt","mineral-wool","rigid-board","blown-in","spray-foam",...]
    },
    {
      "category": "windows",
      "product_count": "19",
      "subcategories": ["double-hung","casement","awning","sliding","picture",...]
    }
  ]
}

Returns all manufacturers with product counts and which categories they produce.

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_sub_your_key" \
  "https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/v1/manufacturers"

{
  "data": [
    {
      "manufacturer": "Andersen",
      "product_count": "4",
      "categories": ["windows","doors"]
    },
    {
      "manufacturer": "Owens Corning",
      "product_count": "3",
      "categories": ["insulation"]
    },
    ...
  ]
}

Returns aggregate statistics about the product database.

{
  "data": {
    "total_products": "53",
    "total_manufacturers": "35",
    "total_categories": "3",
    "energy_star_products": "26",
    "avg_u_value": "0.259",
    "avg_r_value": "13.40",
    "avg_price_min": "919.41",
    "avg_price_max": "2781.80"
  }
}

Get a free API key and start building in minutes. No sales call required.

What is the Substrata API?

Substrata is a REST API that provides structured building product specifications, technical performance data, and pricing. It covers 253+ products across 8 categories (windows, doors, insulation, roofing, flooring, siding, HVAC, structural) from 125+ manufacturers. It's designed for developers building construction estimating software, BIM tools, procurement platforms, and AI assistants for contractors.

How is Substrata different from RSMeans?

RSMeans is a pricing publication (books and software) that costs thousands per year and requires enterprise contracts. Substrata is a developer API with a free tier, self-serve signup, and JSON responses. RSMeans focuses on labor cost data; Substrata provides product specifications and material pricing with technical performance data (U-values, R-values, certifications) not available in RSMeans.

What construction data does the API cover?

The API covers building envelope products: windows (casement, double-hung, awning, sliding, skylights), doors (entry, patio, garage, multi-slide), insulation (fiberglass batt, mineral wool, spray foam, rigid board, blown-in), roofing, flooring, siding, HVAC systems, and structural components. Each product includes dimensions, technical specs, pricing, certifications, and manufacturer data.

What technical fields are available for each product?

Products include: U-value (thermal transmittance), R-value (thermal resistance), SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient), VT (Visible Transmittance), STC rating (Sound Transmission Class), fire rating, wind load, air leakage, frame material, glazing type, core material, price range (USD), warranty period, ENERGY STAR status, and full certifications list (NFRC, AAMA, LEED, Passive House, etc.).

Can I use Substrata for energy modeling software?

Yes. Substrata provides the performance data energy modeling software needs: U-values, SHGC, VT, air leakage rates, and ENERGY STAR/PHI certification status. Filter products by performance thresholds to find code-compliant or Passive House-standard materials programmatically.

Is there an OpenAPI / Swagger spec?

Yes. The full OpenAPI 3.0 specification is available at /openapi.json. Import it into Postman, Swagger UI, or any OpenAPI-compatible tool. Or try endpoints directly in the Interactive API Reference →

How do I get an API key?

Sign up at substrata-34wm.polsia.app/signup. Free tier gives you 100 requests/day immediately with no credit card required. Upgrade to Starter ($49/mo, 5,000/day) or Pro ($199/mo, 50,000/day) via the GET /v1/subscription endpoint.

What programming languages can use this API?

Any language that can make HTTP requests: Python, JavaScript/Node.js, Ruby, Go, PHP, Java, C#, etc. The API uses standard REST conventions with JSON responses. See the docs for curl examples you can adapt to any language.

Does Substrata have data on roofing materials and pricing?

Yes. The roofing category covers asphalt shingles, metal roofing, tile, flat/membrane systems, and synthetic materials. Each product includes price ranges, manufacturer specs, fire ratings, and wind load ratings — useful for roofing estimating software and contractor quoting tools.

Can AI assistants and LLMs use Substrata?

Yes. Substrata is designed to be LLM-friendly: clean JSON output, consistent field names, filterable data, and comprehensive documentation. The OpenAPI spec lets AI coding assistants automatically generate correct API calls. The /llms.txt file provides a concise summary for LLM context windows.

LLM Discovery Files

/llms.txt — Concise summary for LLM context windows

/llms-full.txt — Full API reference optimized for LLMs

/openapi.json — OpenAPI 3.0 specification

Price Reference

/prices/index — Substrata Construction Price Index — public reference, no auth required

/prices — Price ranges by category