I wonder if using wood (2x4's, OSB) as a structural material has a negative impact on long-term durability. In North America, virtually all residential single-f

I wonder if using wood (2x4's, OSB) as a structural material has a negative impact on long-term durability. In North America, virtually all residential single-family construction is wood-frame, which is unusual compared to most other countries. Masonry, insulating concrete forms (ICF), and poured concrete have superior fire-resistance, insulating properties (thermal and acoustic), and strength--and no need to worry about termites. I don't fully understand why wood-frame construction still dominates, even in the "luxury" segment, but I think it's related to strong consumer preference for large homes. Given a fixed budget, you can build a larger house using wood compared to almost any other material (factoring in labor, e.g. 'compressed earth' construction uses cheap material and more labor). But the preference for larger homes doesn't explain why wood-framing is so popular in areas where construction costs are very low relative to land-value.