Why are US Homes Made of Wood and Bricks Instead of Concrete?

[progressive hunter]

I’ve watched those wood houses going up, with cardboard walls. (Sorry )

And l’ve wondered how they were strong enough to support hardwood floors, staircases, bathrooms with all the fittings.

that is cardboard sheathing not walls,,, all other stress measures are being done outside of the sheathing,,
still a stupid idea to save a few bucks,,

 

[Vastator]

I want a concrete geodesic dome...

 

[Bob Blaylock]

so were in cal are you?.....

Sacramento.

I grew up in Santa Barbara, my family having moved there when I was four years old; and moved to Sacramento in 2004.

 

[okfine]

i lived there ok....was a landlord ...seen the damage for myself....also seen lots of structural damage after the quake in landers in 92 on my route....yea its all bullshit....

I recognized what you said and what's "all bullshit?"

 

[Harry Dresden]

I recognized what you said and what's "all bullshit?"

about no concrete in older homes cracking from earthquakes....today i realize they have that new concrete....but back then it wasnt a great idea to build a concrete or brick house in S.Cal....

 

[petro]

that is cardboard sheathing not walls,,, all other stress measures are being done outside of the sheathing,,
still a stupid idea to save a few bucks,,

On the custom homes we build the exterior walls are all osb plywood. All bearing points and structural engineering of floor and roof trusses even relating to wind sheer is laid out in a thick packet we get. Sometimes huge girder roof trusses are nailed together and have beefy hangers to support the upper floor.

This massive 22,000 sq ft house we did has poured concrete wall for the walkout basement, the main floor is span crete forms that we built the rest of the wood structure above. All studs were engineered lumber, garage headers were massive steel beams.
Roof sheeting was 3/4 inch plywood.
It was a complicated puzzle to put together.

 

[progressive hunter]

On the custom homes we build the exterior walls are all osb plywood. All bearing points and structural engineering of floor and roof trusses even relating to wind sheer is laid out in a thick packet we get. Sometimes huge girder roof trusses are nailed together and have beefy hangers to support the upper floor.
View attachment 868130

This massive 22,000 sq ft house we did has poured concrete wall for the walkout basement, the main floor is span crete forms that we built the rest of the wood structure above. All studs were engineered lumber, garage headers were massive steel beams.
Roof sheeting was 3/4 inch plywood.
It was a complicated puzzle to put together.

some people are using a cardboard sheathing,,

 

[petro]

some people are using a cardboard sheathing,,

Yeah. I have seen some builders use 1/2 inch foam for exterior walls. Usually the big national builders do that crap.
They slop up townhomes and poorly built houses with pre made wall panels using cheap and inexperienced labor.
Worked for one of those outfits before I went to a proper high end builder.

 

[progressive hunter]

Yeah. I have seen some builders use 1/2 inch foam for exterior walls. Usually the big national builders do that crap.
They slop up townhomes and poorly built houses with pre made wall panels using cheap and inexperienced labor.
Worked for one of those outfits before I went to a proper high end builder.

45 of my 58 yrs I have lived in houses built before 1912,, the newest house is a 1960s for a few yrs,,
I far prefer old houses over most of the new stuff,,

a code inspector would lose his mind inspecting an old house like that,,

 

[petro]

45 of my 58 yrs I have lived in houses built before 1912,, the newest house is a 1960s for a few yrs,,
I far prefer old houses over most of the new stuff,,

a code inspector would lose his mind inspecting an old house like that,,

I have never seen that cardboard crap.
More extreme winter climate here though.

 

[progressive hunter]

I have never seen that cardboard crap.
More extreme winter climate here though.

it was down in texas,,

 

[ShahdagMountains]

Look what $1.1 million fetches you in close-In Arlington: a 1930 bungalow.

2628 Langston Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 | Zillow

2628 Langston Blvd, Arlington VA, is a Single Family home that contains 1287 sq ft and was built in 1930.It contains 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.This home last sold for $925,000 in February 2024. The Zestimate for this Single Family is $949,900, which has increased by $9,913 in the last 30...

www.zillow.com

And speaking of Arlington.

Dramatic footage shows moment house explodes in Virginia

It is believed there had been a search warrant when the explosion occured

www.gbnews.com

 

[my2¢]

Most houses are stucco around here.

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Most houses are stucco around here.

Stucco is a cosmetic finish, not a structural material.

Try building a house primarily of stucco, and it will surely collapse in short order.

 

[rampart]

mos

Most people would rather not live in a Soviet-style concrete box.

most people would rather not live under capitalist style tarps under the interstate.

 

[1srelluc]

mos

most people would rather not live under capitalist style tarps under the interstate.

They store pallets there to keep them warm.

 

[rampart]

They store pallets there to keep them warm.

then they burn the pallets and take down the interstate. oh well ...

i am of the public health faction when dealing with the homeless. whatever right you gave to live on public property is limited by public health concerns.

i really do not care if they are rounded up into old atmy barracks or put up in hotels, but they must be

1. treated humanely and
2. taken off the street amd
3. triaged and channeled through any kind of help they need to rejoin the populace.

i help `homeless veterans to find jobs and the va programs that help. incredibly difficult to get people to help themselves after they have been beaten down that much.

 

[1srelluc]

then they burn the pallets and take down the interstate. oh well ...

i am of the public health faction when dealing with the homeless. whatever right you gave to live on public property is limited by public health concerns.

i really do not care if they are rounded up into old atmy barracks or put up in hotels, but they must be

1. treated humanely and
2. taken off the street amd
3. triaged and channeled through any kind of help they need to rejoin the populace.

i help `homeless veterans to find jobs and the va programs that help. incredibly difficult to get people to help themselves after they have been beaten down that much.

Good for you!

Me, I turn them in to the cops when I'm out and see them least they get a toe-hold in my AO.

 

[Marchimedes]

Are you wondering why US homes are made from wood and bricks instead of concrete?

Concrete is hard on a skill saw.

 

[progressive hunter]

then they burn the pallets and take down the interstate. oh well ...

i am of the public health faction when dealing with the homeless. whatever right you gave to live on public property is limited by public health concerns.

i really do not care if they are rounded up into old atmy barracks or put up in hotels, but they must be

1. treated humanely and
2. taken off the street amd
3. triaged and channeled through any kind of help they need to rejoin the populace.

i help `homeless veterans to find jobs and the va programs that help. incredibly difficult to get people to help themselves after they have been beaten down that much.

what if they dont want our help and go right back to living under the bridge??