Why Are Houses In The U.S. Made Of Wood and Bricks?

Building materials have a lot to do with a home’s value, appearance, durability, and character. The United States has a rich history of construction trends where the building materials set the tone for the house.

So, why are houses in the U.S. made of wood and bricks?

Houses in the U.S. are made of wood and bricks in many cases because they are widely available and affordable.

Brick houses are more durable than wooden houses because they aren’t susceptible to wood rot.

Concrete houses are common in the U.S., but they are more expensive and they take much longer to build than a wooden or brick home.

Wooden homes have less resale value than brick homes, but concrete homes are often the most valuable.

Building trends have changed quite a bit, and concrete houses have slowly become the new gold standard. Follow along as we explore why houses in the U.S. are made of wood and brick.

The main reason that houses in the USA aren’t generally made of concrete is that it takes a long time.

Construction in the United States tends to go much faster when using materials such as wood, brick, and siding. Of course, the foundation is made of concrete, but the majority of the structure is made of wood.

There are also more styles and design options when it comes to materials like wood and brick. Sure, concrete is sturdy and reliable, but it’s also hard to make it stand out and have character.

There is also no shortage of wood and bricks in the U.S., so the construction cost is minimal.

A big supply with little demand means that you can quickly green-light construction for a home made of wood and bricks. Prefabrication is also largely impossible when it comes to concrete, and that’s an essential part of modern construction.

Wooden houses are safe, but they are still susceptible to many problems such as extreme weather.

Strong winds, lighting, and fire can all severely damage a wooden home. House fires are much more common in wooden homes, and they can burn down entirely.

Wood rot is another common problem for wooden homes, especially if you live in a humid area with lots of rain. This can lead to dangerous structural damage that can be expensive to repair if it’s even possible.

Install a sprinkler system and treat your timber to make your wooden house as safe as possible.

Generally, the timber used in home construction is treated with a fire-retardant coating. This can help reduce the risk of fires, but you can’t guarantee that your wooden home is completely safe.

Brick houses are more valuable than wooden houses in most housing markets. Many homeowners also prefer the look of brick houses, but it depends on your taste.

Wooden houses are much more rustic and earthy whereas brick houses are contemporary.

You also have fewer framing options when it comes to wooden houses compared to brick houses. With that said, it is much more expensive to build a brick house because of the material costs.

Brick houses are much more durable than wooden homes because they are less susceptible to fires and extreme weather.

Wooden homes don’t last as long as brick houses either.

The average wooden home only lasts for 100 years unless you regularly maintain it and replace important structural pieces. Brick houses last for 120 years or more depending on upkeep and environmental conditions.

It is more expensive to build a brick house than a wood house. You can expect to spend $280,000 on average to build a brick house. By comparison, an 800-square-foot wooden house costs an average of $31,000 to build.

Bricks themselves cost more than timber, and the construction process takes much longer. That means that you will have to spend much more money on labor when you build a brick house.

This adds up quickly and you’ll spend up to tens of thousands of dollars more on construction when building a brick house.

The most common wood used to build houses in the USA is red oak. White oak is another common wood that is used for building houses because of how durable it is.

Both red and white oak are also abundant in the southern and eastern parts of the country.

Softwoods such as cedar, spruce, and pine are also quite common in home construction. Cypress and redwood also work well for building houses, but they are less common than red and white oak.

Treated and manufactured wood is more popular than ever in construction because it can provide extra- framing.

Avoid woods like Alaskan Spruce, which aren’t too sturdy and can easily splinter. Look for wood that is coated with a fire-retardant material so that it is unlikely to catch on fire.

There is no way to ensure that your wood is fireproof, but every preventative measure helps.

Concrete houses are more durable and longer-lasting than wooden houses, but they aren’t necessarily better.

The main advantage of concrete houses is that they are much less susceptible to fires and wind. You still have to worry about water getting into your foundation, but you don’t have to worry about wood rot.

However, it’s unlikely for water to get into your foundation unless there is a crack or you have gutter problems. Concrete is also more structurally solid compared to wood as far as strong winds go.

However, construction, repairs, and maintenance are much more expensive when it comes to concrete houses.

On the low end, it costs $175 per square foot to build a wooden house. You can expect to spend over $12,000 in materials alone to build a concrete house before the cost of labor for just the concrete.

However, many homeowners find it worth the extra cost because of the added resale value of concrete homes.

Houses in the U.S. are made of wood and bricks because of their availability. Concrete homes are also quite common, but they are more expensive to build and many people prefer the look of wood and brick.

Brick houses are more durable and last longer than wooden houses because of the materials.

Wooden houses struggle to withstand moisture, fire, and strong winds which are less of a problem for brick houses. The average wooden house lasts 100 years, but they can fall victim to wood rot and fires long before that.

Brick houses often last longer than 100 years if you maintain them well.

Many homes in the U.S. are made of concrete, but brick and wood are much cheaper building materials. Brick homes have recently become less common as the mid-century modern design has fallen out of popularity.

Wooden homes are cheaper to build than brick homes, but concrete homes are the most durable.