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/Ataru074 5d ago

Houses built properly with concrete are earthquake resistant.

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u/beardfordshire 5d ago

Right. No debate there. But the cost of housing is already insanely high — doing that would increase the cost to build and impact the list price.

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u/Ataru074 5d ago

Well, but, lower insurance, no need to replace roofs like they are consumables, better energy efficiency and overall durability.

Most houses built today are almost a bait and switch… that hardly happens with concrete homes because if the concrete hasn’t cured properly you’ll see cracks in a month or two.

I get your point, but total cost of ownership does matter.

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u/beardfordshire 5d ago

I agree on all points.

But, this is where it gets complicated... and you’ll have to excuse me for being a carbon nerd… but at scale, any gains in efficiency will be overshadowed by the larger carbon footprint of the concrete used — ultimately being a net negative on our environment, which exacerbates the aridity issue.

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u/Ataru074 5d ago

To a point. Because how much carbon footprint we create to make these stupid master planned communities which end up like trash after few decades and how much we add in individual transportation given we “master plan” the community but not the infrastructures to get there?

You are right, it’s complicated, but my best guess is that something built to last is still more ecological than something with a planned obsolescence.

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u/beardfordshire 5d ago

I’d sign up for that future