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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 NhfsFoMaDHmIwsDdUzPH4qjKDlP+lKQly5ed7ELvWEUyCV80eaN3jt3VC/mr+c1f
 tyIDLgHMw1l4QJ5yPq97+g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000883902-03-000002.txt : 20030617
<SEC-HEADER>0000883902-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20030617
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030616175933
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000883902-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030615
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030617

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NCI BUILDING SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000883902
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PREFABRICATED METAL BUILDINGS & COMPONENTS [3448]
		IRS NUMBER:				760127701
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10943 NORTH SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY W
		CITY:			HOUSTON TEXAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77041
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7134667788

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7301 FAIRVIEW
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 40220
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77041

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NATIONAL COMPONENTS INCORPORATED
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19600201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PIEPER W BERNARD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001063976

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14315
		FILM NUMBER:		03746315

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		32 WEST BROAD OAKS DRIVE
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7139606620

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		32 W BROAD OAKS DR
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77056
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-06-15</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000883902</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NCI BUILDING SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NCS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001063976</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PIEPER W BERNARD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Options to purchase common stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>18.12</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-06-15</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>1656</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-06-15</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-06-14</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>common stock, $.01 par value</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>1656</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>1656</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options vest in 25% increments on each of the first four anniversary dates</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert J. Medlock (under power of attorney)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-06-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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