The typical Sauris building is simple and functional, built in local materials (various types of wood and stone) using techniques tried and tested over centuries.

The ground floor of both the house (haus) and the outbuildings, including shed (stol) and barn (tóblat) is generally in stone, with three sides sunken, while the upper floors are in wood, built by the so-ca.m. tod blockbau method with trunks wedged in the corners.

The projecting roofs are shingle-covered beams and overlapping wooden battens held down with stones and wooden bars. The gables are closed by wooden panelling (montl) in which windows are often opened for ventilation. Three sides of outbuildings are surrounded by a covered area with uprights and bars (pirl) for drying hay, while the 'loggia' of houses has a handrail all around.

The buildings found outside the centres of population, which are used only seasonally, are similar in construction. The stavoli (anschichtn) are typical constructions of wood and stone which either unite shed, barn and small dwelling or are just barns (hittn) for the temporary storage of fodder. Starting from the 18th century the construction of houses in stone became established, reflecting the social prestige of the family and the influence of the architectural tradition of Carnia.