What percentage of houses are made from wood?

Question

(Anyone have a % or source)

Arent almost all houses typically framed in wood? Why?

Could houses be framed in steel instead? if so would it be a large price difference? and what would the benefits be?

Lastly, What are some other building material/methods that could be used? (the only one that comes to mind is brick/stone)

Answer 1

You are quite right. Almost all houses are made from wood and even a brick home will have wood framing. Wood is pretty inexpensive, readily available, and easy to cut. Stell is used in high rise buildings because it is stronger, but it would be more expensive for a home so it isn't used. I would guess that it is about 5 times more expensive. Today some people make homes out of old tires, hay, or other things most people don't think of as building material.

Answer 2

Price!!! Im building a house in Mexico. Its the first house I have ever built so im learning a lot. But let me tell you from my experience. Building out of brick and cement is a lot more expensive and difficult than wood. If built right, a brick house can last for centuries. A brick house can have all the look of a wood house too. Which is what most american like and are used to. The cost though, is greater for the bricks. Brick houses are still build in the US, but not too often.