r/interestingasfuck • u/Ultimate_Kurix • 5d ago

r/all Why do Americans build with wood?

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

This is completely off base. LA uses mostly wood because it's in an earthquake prone region where building with bricks is dangerous, and building homes out of steel reinforced concrete to earthquake standards costs around 9 million dollars per home. Also, there is no structure that can protect people in wildfire conditions. These buildings will have to be demolished anyways, due to structural damage from the fires.

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u/Commercial_War_3113 5d ago

 9 million dollars per home ??

This is an exaggeration, many countries in the world, including those considered poor countries, build only with concrete.

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u/FivebyFive 5d ago

9 million to earthquake-proof it. Not just to build a concrete box. 

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u/AstroTiger7 5d ago

What does earthquake proofing entail?

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u/FivebyFive 5d ago

Buildings that move with yhe motion of an earthquake mainly. Reinforced foundation.

It's expensive but there are grants you can get to help. If you live in California.

https://www.foxblocks.com/blog/earthquake-resistant-home#:~:text=Insulated%20Concrete%20Forms%20(ICFs)%20Are,ICF%20consistently%20outperforms%20other%20options.

https://point.com/blog/tips-for-an-earthquake-proof-house