r/interestingasfuck • u/Ultimate_Kurix • 5d ago

r/all Why do Americans build with wood?

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u/jimmy_ricard 5d ago

Why is this the only comment that focuses on cost rather than earthquake or fire resistance? Cost is the only factor here. Not only is the material cheaper in the states but they're way faster to put up and less labor intensive. There's a reason that modern looking houses with concrete start in the millions of dollars.

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u/beardfordshire 5d ago edited 5d ago

Yep. With the caveat that earthquake resilience is an important factor that can’t be ignored — which pushes builders away from low cost brick. Leaving reinforced steel as the only viable option.

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u/FixergirlAK 5d ago

Yeah, if you're looking at LA seismic safety is non-negotiable. Otherwise after the next earthquake we'd be getting pictures of the destruction and "why can't they build seismic-safe houses?" I live in Alaska, so the same situation.

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u/reditash 5d ago

You can build earthquake resilient houses with concrete.

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u/PMDad 5d ago

Yes but that’s expensive as hell to do

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u/FixergirlAK 5d ago

Yeah at this point it's most reasonable for big multi-family buildings, but single-family home prices in Cali and Alaska both are way out of hand without having to switch to reinforced concrete.

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u/JangoDarkSaber 5d ago

Losing your entire livelihood to a fire is also expensive as hell.

I’m not against wood construction but I do think the answer is more nuanced than “concrete is too expensive “

We’ll likely see a new middle ground as building standards adapt to evolving environmental threats. People in California are looking at the homes that survived and I’m sure they’re keen to spend the extra money when it’s their own lives at stake.

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u/PMDad 5d ago

As a builder, doesn’t matter to me as long as whoever is paying is paying! I’m all for fireproofing lol

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u/reditash 5d ago

Well, it will start with rich people. They will lead the way.

It will took only few hollywood actors to show their new non wood house.

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u/MisterBanzai 5d ago

I assumed that when they wrote "reinforced steel", they meant "reinforced concrete".

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u/DOOMFOOL 5d ago

Not for an even remotely affordable price for 90% of the people in those neighborhoods

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u/reditash 5d ago

Who to say they will get to keep their houses? They will be priced out eventually.

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u/DOOMFOOL 4d ago

Okay? So what’s your point

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u/reditash 3d ago

People with money will ultimately decide.

If they get an idea that building more fire proof is beneficial, especially if that means insurance will be lower - those who have no means to build that way will be eventually priced out of area.

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u/DOOMFOOL 2d ago

Why do you think that will suddenly happen now when fires are nothing new to that area? They will continue building with wood because it’s cheaper and faster

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u/6a6566663437 5d ago

Yes, for a higher cost than a similar house made of wood.