4 ms·

why is that 'instinct' to build out of wood? The instinct is to build wealth, and it's cheaper to build wood than brick. I find Western European construction

why is that 'instinct' to build out of wood? The instinct is to build wealth, and it's cheaper to build wood than brick. I find Western European construction standards to be higher than American. European homes feel like they're made out of brick and stone, seem better insulated, and American homes feel like they're wood-framed with giant modular pieces of wood (at least here in the northeast).

nprateem 2y ago
The Great Fire of London put a stop to wooden houses in the UK. Maybe the same will happen in California now. But having seen the pictures from social media of the torrent of embers, maybe a few more homes might have survived but probably not many (unless they concreted their gardens too).
- bcrosby95 2y ago
  Roofs are the main problem. Usually they get in through an attic vent, or they catch the eaves on fire. They burn from the top down.
adastra22 2y ago
London doesn't have earthquakes. Masonry is a death trap.
- cudgy 2y ago
  Exactly. This is the dilemma in LA. Build masonry frame and die in an earthquake. Build wood frame and die in a wildfire. Metal framing with concrete or other nonflammable siding?
  - adastra22 2y ago
    You can evacuate from a wildfire. Earthquakes catch you by surprise. The choice is die in an earthquake, or just have your possessions destroyed in a fire. It's not your choice though, state regulations prohibit earthquake-unsafe buildings.
  - canucker2016 2y ago
    Mass Timber (engineered wood), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineered_wood https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineered_wood, is being used to build large buildings and meets building code's fire resistance standards. Is Mass Timber Fire-resistant? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Y35Zsga1Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Y35Zsga1Q How to build a wood skyscraper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qry7AmdIn8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qry7AmdIn8 Google's first mass timber building in Sunnyvale, CA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHnR-HdvTAA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHnR-HdvTAA

nprateem 2y ago

The Great Fire of London put a stop to wooden houses in the UK. Maybe the same will happen in California now. But having seen the pictures from social media of the torrent of embers, maybe a few more homes might have survived but probably not many (unless they concreted their gardens too).

bcrosby95 2y ago
Roofs are the main problem. Usually they get in through an attic vent, or they catch the eaves on fire. They burn from the top down.

adastra22 2y ago

London doesn't have earthquakes. Masonry is a death trap.

cudgy 2y ago
Exactly. This is the dilemma in LA. Build masonry frame and die in an earthquake. Build wood frame and die in a wildfire. Metal framing with concrete or other nonflammable siding?
- adastra22 2y ago
  You can evacuate from a wildfire. Earthquakes catch you by surprise. The choice is die in an earthquake, or just have your possessions destroyed in a fire. It's not your choice though, state regulations prohibit earthquake-unsafe buildings.
- canucker2016 2y ago
  Mass Timber (engineered wood), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineered_wood https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineered_wood, is being used to build large buildings and meets building code's fire resistance standards. Is Mass Timber Fire-resistant? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Y35Zsga1Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Y35Zsga1Q How to build a wood skyscraper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qry7AmdIn8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qry7AmdIn8 Google's first mass timber building in Sunnyvale, CA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHnR-HdvTAA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHnR-HdvTAA