5 ms·

In Sweden we often build ‘stick frame’ as is common in the US and shown in the pictures in the article. But we somehow manage to do it much more ruggedly than

In Sweden we often build ‘stick frame’ as is common in the US and shown in the pictures in the article. But we somehow manage to do it much more ruggedly than in the US, and finish with better materials and triple glazing and so on. We usually use vertical plank on the outside (vinyl is unheard of). I’m very interested in building, have done major renovations and am embarking on a self build project so I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos showing American construction. And it’s like the same as we use nowadays in the Nordics, but flimsier. And this is my subjective opinion, but uglier. Of course some parts of the US have to contend with heat and termites and things, but there is plenty of the US that is equiv climate to Sweden.

Yaggo 5y ago
Same in Finland. Wooden stick frames are most common but I wouldn't describe them as "flimsy". There is heavy regulation for energy efficiency etc. Judging purely from stereotypical perspective[1], the houses in US seem to emphasize (big) size and fancy look. You can't build that cheaply unless you give up in quality, thus the flimsyness, I guess. [1] https://mcmansionhell.com https://mcmansionhell.com
jacquesm 5y ago
In Canada there are a couple of communities in Northern Ontario that have Nordic roots, you can recognize them by the houses, they are so much prettier than the rest.
stooliepidgin 5y ago
The single-story house I grew up in in south San Jose, CA had a stucco exterior. This is essentially a concrete-like material spread over chicken wire (hexagonal poultry netting) that is tacked onto the structure. An artistic texturing of the surface is applied as a final step. After drying, it is primed and painted. The structure was about 30 years old when it became infested with subterranean and flying termites, and required fumigation and major repairs to sill joists and pilings. It took a lot of time, money, and effort to repair it. The land was formerly a cherry orchard.

Yaggo 5y ago

Same in Finland. Wooden stick frames are most common but I wouldn't describe them as "flimsy". There is heavy regulation for energy efficiency etc. Judging purely from stereotypical perspective[1], the houses in US seem to emphasize (big) size and fancy look. You can't build that cheaply unless you give up in quality, thus the flimsyness, I guess. [1] https://mcmansionhell.com https://mcmansionhell.com

jacquesm 5y ago

In Canada there are a couple of communities in Northern Ontario that have Nordic roots, you can recognize them by the houses, they are so much prettier than the rest.

stooliepidgin 5y ago

The single-story house I grew up in in south San Jose, CA had a stucco exterior. This is essentially a concrete-like material spread over chicken wire (hexagonal poultry netting) that is tacked onto the structure. An artistic texturing of the surface is applied as a final step. After drying, it is primed and painted. The structure was about 30 years old when it became infested with subterranean and flying termites, and required fumigation and major repairs to sill joists and pilings. It took a lot of time, money, and effort to repair it. The land was formerly a cherry orchard.