2007-10-18 16:27:57 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
I have to agree with Dune in that Concrete panels is the way to go; yet a finish would help cosmetically. You DID NOT say BLOCK, as some might assume.
CHEAPER in a house is probably a relative thought however. Over it's lifetime; a wood frame house is likely to cost far more than a concrete house; in maintenance alone.
As one answer states the costs are more in balance in 07 than they have been; in large part because of the materials we now sadly call WOOD, and the availability of quality material. Concrete on the other hand will be available long after every forest has been clear cut.
Obviously we all have individual; personal opinions, and Q & A is one place to express them. I think the rating system is inane; in that we should all be allowed our own opinions without critisism.
Steven Wolf
2007-10-18 17:00:26 · answer #1 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For sure wood. Concrete is so expensive and labor intensive. It's the same reason a 2 story house of say 2000 Square Feet is far cheaper than a ranch house of the same Square Footage. There is more concrete for the ranch. Not to mention the difficulty in getting electrical, plumbing etc in the house. If you go wood frame, build with 2x6 over 2x4. You will have a much better R value. (thicker insulation) There might be more costs involved regarding doors window jambs etc but well worth it. If you live in the south (US) you may consider concrete block. Besides the obvious reason, (termites) it will be cooler in the hot damp summers. Hope this helps a little.
2007-10-18 23:44:30 · answer #2 · answered by macuser137 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wood. Concrete has gone up in price all over the world. A few years ago, the two would have been competitive.
2007-10-18 23:36:37 · answer #3 · answered by QuiteNewHere 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Metal frame housing is a cheaper way to go now adays long lasting rust proof no shrinking or cracking less movement in frame, only drawback is fixings in most cases are slightly dearer.
2007-10-19 08:15:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pre stressed concrete would probably be the cheapest but it would look hideous without a stucco coating, so you would be better to use timber and ply and stucco over the top.
2007-10-18 23:36:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wood is less expensive in the US.
2007-10-19 00:30:23 · answer #6 · answered by red riter 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋