Abstract: Granules include a hydrophobic surface treatment. The hydrophobic surface treatment may include a hydrocarbon oil and a silicon-containing polymer, in which the hydrocarbon oil is present in an amount of at least 0.025 percent by weight, and the silicon-containing polymer is present in an amount of greater than 0.05 percent by weight of the roofing granules. The hydrophobic surface treatment may include silicon-containing polymer present in an amount of greater than 0.05, greater than 0.25 percent, or greater than 0.5 percent by weight of the roofing granules. Use of the granules as roofing granules is also disclosed. A construction article includes a substrate, an organic coating, and the roofing granules at least partially embedded in the organic coating. Methods of making the granules and the construction article are also disclosed.