why are we still using wood to build homes?

Question

living in this age knowing that the forest are depleting, why are we still using wood to built our houses? We have tons and tons of metals from recycled materials that works just as good or even better to support houses.

I know that wood may be cheaper than metals, but isn't there anything that can be done about it?

Answer 1

Why use steel when wood is cheap and renewable? It is an unfortunate misconception that we are losing forests to manufacture structural lumber. As mentioned above, forests in 2nd and 3rd world countries without widespread guidelines and regulation are the primary sources of deforestation. The US has always grown more timber than it has harvested. Also as mentioned above, it is more energy efficient to produce the lumber needed to build a house than steel, which means conservation of fossil fuels and less CO2.

If you are passionate about forest conservation, I recommend checking out the World Wildlife Fund (see link below)

Answer 2

The carpenters union in certain states started training in the use of metal about ten years ago. It takes time to start something new like this. Maybe the people of Las Vegas don't know it but, there are more then several building sites with hundreds of homes that are all metal framed from the start, these were the very first homes to be built all metal.

Lets here about it from other states ?

Answer 3

Rain forests are depleting and are being exploited.
In general construction wood is a renewable/sustainable resource.
Alot of insulation is made of recycled denim or paper.
You can buy recycled glass tiles.
There are more and more recycled products available for domestic construction.
Concrete can be cheaper than wood.
Commercial construction uses heaps of steel.
Steel framed houses are getting more common in NZ and to a lesser extent are straw bale and mud brick.
I know your question is about wood but just a few other points above to think about.

Answer 4

Most of the wood used for houses gets replaced. For every so many trees cut, a greater number is planted back. Wood is as natural as is comes. That wood isn't what people should worry about, it's the clear cutting for HUGE developments that is a problem. Especially for the ground (water runoffs) the way it flows after, and wildlife. Look up WEYERHAEUSER, call and ask for all the info you want. Ask for them to mail you info and info to help the environment.

Answer 5

Because it is cheaper and faster to build. There are homes built with metal, cement and even from straw bales (saw a website about that recently) with plastered walls.

Many people get in such a hurry to build a house, don't stop to think about the other options you could pick.

Answer 6

wood build homes

Answer 7

Metal needs to be mined/smelted/forged/molded into the required shapes. To do this you have to burn a lot more wood (coal) than would be needed to build your house.

Therefore, it's far better for the environment to build with wood.

Answer 8

supply and demand
we buy wooden framed houses,
they cheap, and go up faster ,
but there a tread for metal houses,
but its slow to catch on
some day we will stop using wood,and use recycled products. till that day ,we keep cutting down trees,
metal cost about twice the price of lumber ,but out last wood 200 -1, odd really ? smart question !!!

Answer 9

Wood is a reneuable resource. ArGGGGG Ever try to hang a picture using a nail into a STEEL STUD??

Answer 10

The specie varies from area to area. Go to the local lumber store and ask them for the different species they have in stock. In the Pacific North West, fir and hemlock are quite common. Cedar is too weak for structural members. Other areas use pine, and some may use hardwoods.