NarwhalNectarine t1_j1xqb05 wrote
Reply to comment by scorr204 in ELI5: Why does Europeans build houses out of brick when wood frame seems like the better choice across the board? by scorr204
I'd rather make something that lasts then something easy. Passing down a property is an excellent source of generational wealth. Better to have inherited a sturdy 170 year old home made of brick or stone then a house falling to pieces at 80 years. Plus it's better for the environment to not have rebuild new homes.
scorr204 OP t1_j1xqjgb wrote
Wood homes are not rebuilt though. They also last incredibly long. There are neighbourhoods where I am from filled with 100 year old wood homes. Maybe because we dont have termites here as much?
NarwhalNectarine t1_j1xrj9c wrote
My house is is 175 years old. It has a stone foundation but wood framing. We've gutted this house and there's tons of rot to the siding, windows, sill beams etc. it was very expensive to fix. But the framing itself is solid- bc they used timber pretty much raw from a tree. They are MASSIVE from natural forest grown trees that were very old which makes the material denser. Code today for modern builds are flimsy by comparison that is generally farm grown from younger trees, so the wood is softer and more porous. I'm a real estate agent have seen modern (1960s and newer) falling apart structurally. Literally.
So yes, houses built from wood 100 years ago are likely very sturdy bc the materials while wood were of much higher quality. BUT a lot of those old wood frame homes are a major fire hazard due to the framing style often popular then (balloon frame used until I think the 1930s.) you probably won't be seeing modern new builds lasting 100 years without significant and expensive maintenance. A stone or brick house generally is a lot more fire resistant so that's an added benefit
curious_astronauts t1_j1xtjpj wrote
I'm living in a stone building in Europe that is 300years old friend. If you build a wood house today with the aim of handing down to your children, you're grandchildren are inheriting the problem.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments