Why are houses in the US built with wood when there are many wildfires and hurricanes?

[verknallt]

[loveslongnails]

There is a lot of incomplete information in some of these answers, so first, let's talk about the obvious. Wood framing and construction is much cheaper than steel initially, especially for a smaller home. Steel construction has long range advantages over wood when it comes to maintenance and upkeep, but you pay a lot more initially.

That said, one of the biggest drawbacks for residential homes made of steel, other than cost, is a lack of knowledgeable construction workers with that material except for roofing. However, if you were able to afford the initial hit and knew you would be staying in your home for 15 to 20 years or longer, you would make up the expense while your property would be stronger in higher risk areas.

While it's true that recent advances in building techniques have made houses and roofs stronger and more resistant to hurricanes and storms, these techniques are not widespread among the average construction crew. They also involve higher costs in materials, labor time and general "know how".

[verknallt]

Wood is also less absorbent, so it's colder in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Also I heard that flying bricks during hurricanes will destroy everything so they have to rebuild anyway

[Syntosi]

Because wood is one of the best construction materials in human history?

It is lightweight, strong, easy to work with, literally grows out of the ground etc.. It is a fantastic material to build pretty much anything out of.

[Jennz6]

The wood isn’t air tight so it will breathe in a hurricane

[OneViewpoint]

Wood is the cheapest construction material. Oriented strand board (OSB) is even cheaper. The builder only cares about selling the house. They don't care what happens in 10 years.

[exitseven]

Wood is a sturdy and versatile building material. I think that there are ways that can be used to prevent the wildfires.

[Dargil]

Because wood inexpensive. Further, you can learn about Fire Retardant Treated wood.

[Likes2drive]

Too expensive and takes longer to build with cement and steel, they don’t build them the same as in Europe or would not be affordable at all even though they are not affordable anymore

[verknallt]

They are much more affordable, at least compared to Germany.

[Likes2drive]

It’s not really practical here in the United States , they use it for commercial buildings mostly , would definitely drive the price up for materials if everything was made brick and steel

[beefcakebradybatson]

Many were built a century ago, but the more recent structures, I haven't the foggiest.

[Agape93]

Cheaper