High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Architectural metals used in buildings and structures comprise several distinctive metallic materials. Metals serve a wide variety of uses in the built landscape, including structural features, such as nails and trusses, as well as decorative features, such as doorknobs and cladding. Some metals discovered by early civilizations remain in use today. Scientific study has brought a greater understanding of the performance and limits of the various types of metals used in buildings.