# Substrata

> Substrata is a construction data API providing structured building product specifications, technical performance data, and pricing for developers building construction estimating, BIM, procurement, and specification software.

## What is Substrata?

Substrata is the construction industry's product specification database API. It provides machine-readable access to 250+ building products across 8 categories (windows, doors, insulation, roofing, flooring, siding, HVAC, structural) from 125+ manufacturers including Andersen, Pella, Owens Corning, Rockwool, James Hardie, and more.

**Primary use cases:**
- Construction estimating software (RSMeans alternative)
- BIM software product data integration
- Building product procurement platforms
- Energy modeling and compliance tools
- Contractor quoting and specification tools
- AI assistants for construction professionals

## Base URL

https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/v1

## Authentication

All /v1/* endpoints require an API key via Bearer token or X-API-Key header.
Get a free API key at: https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/signup

## Pricing

- Free: 100 requests/day — $0
- Starter: 5,000 requests/day — $49/month
- Pro: 50,000 requests/day — $199/month

## Key Endpoints

- GET /v1/products — Search and filter building products (253 products, 15+ filter params)
- GET /v1/products/:slug — Single product by slug
- GET /v1/categories — All categories with subcategories and product counts
- GET /v1/manufacturers — All manufacturers with product counts
- GET /v1/stats — Aggregate database statistics
- GET /v1/usage — Your API key usage and rate limit status

## Documentation

- [API Docs](https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/docs): Full endpoint reference with parameters and examples
- [Interactive API Reference](https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/docs/api): Try every endpoint live in the browser (Swagger UI)
- [OpenAPI Spec](https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/openapi.json): Machine-readable OpenAPI 3.0 specification
- [Price Index](https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/prices/index): Substrata Construction Price Index — public reference data
- [Blog](https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/blog): Guides and comparisons — construction data API resources
- [Construction Data API Comparison](https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/blog/substrata-vs-rsmeans-vs-1build): Substrata vs RSMeans vs 1build vs Shovels vs 2050 Materials (2026)
- [Building Product Specifications API](https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/blog/building-product-specifications-api): How to query SEER ratings, R-values, U-values, fire resistance, and compressive strength data via REST API
- [Build a Construction Cost Estimator](https://substrata-34wm.polsia.app/blog/build-construction-cost-estimator): Node.js tutorial — fetch categories, search products, read price ranges, and output a room-level cost estimate in ~50 lines

## Example Query

Retrieve ENERGY STAR windows under U-value 0.25:
```
GET /v1/products?category=windows&energy_star=true&max_u_value=0.25
Authorization: Bearer sk_sub_your_key
```

## Data Coverage

Categories: windows, doors, insulation, roofing, flooring, siding, hvac, structural
Products: 253+ with manufacturer specs, pricing, performance data, certifications
Manufacturers: 125+ including major brands across all categories
Performance fields: U-value, R-value, SHGC, STC rating, fire rating, wind load, air leakage
Pricing: min/max USD price ranges per product

## Contact

substrata@polsia.app