This study determined the effect of water storage on flexural strength (FS) and compressive strength (CS) of 12 luting cements from different material classes. In addition, the influence of the curing method on the mechanical properties was investigated. The materials examined were two zinc phosphate cements (Harvard cement and Fleck's zinc cement), two glass ionomer cements (Fuji I and Ketac-Cem), three resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Fuji Plus, Fuji Cem and RelyX Luting), four resin cements (RelyX ARC, Panavia F, Variolink II and Compolute) and one self-adhesive universal resin cement (RelyX Unicem). The samples were prepared and tested according to ISO specifications. Specimens for FS and CS were loaded to fracture at a constant crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. The mechanical properties were measured after the materials were stored in distilled water at a temperature of 37.0 +/- 1.0 degrees C for 24 hours and 150 days after mixing. In a one-way ANOVA, multiple mean value comparisons using Duncan's multiple comparison tests were performed. Resin cements had the highest flexural and compressive strengths, followed by self-adhesive universal resin cement. These materials were statistically stronger than resin-modified glass ionomer cements, glass ionomer cements and zinc phosphate cements.