Why is wood so prevalent in home construction? It has more benefits than you know!
Many houses in the United States of America are made of wood. This is not to say that there are no other structural materials used for residential construction; you can also find steel, reinforced concrete, brick, and much more. However, the prevailing material in new construction frameworks is wood. Why is wood a good building material? It has many advantages for our climate!
Economic Building Material
Wood is understandably easier to source, making it significantly cheaper than concrete, steel, or brick. With sustainably grown forests, people can harvest wood for construction continually; it is self-renewing. Throughout America and in Maryland, trees are plentiful. They grow in abundance and would shortly overtake the land if left alone. Why not use what is readily available?
Flexible for Seismic Activity
Wood is better at absorbing forces than some other building materials. The U.S. and even Maryland can suffer from earthquakes, so it is imperative to have housing that will not collapse should one happen. Wood, a material used for construction for millennia, can withstand extreme forces.
Fire-Resistant
It would seem like a wood-framed house would be more likely to burn up in the unlikely event of a fire than resist it. However, builders construct homes in such a way, using more wood than structurally necessary, to make it more fire-resistant and less likely to collapse. Your house’s framework will allow you to escape for longer should a fire ever break out.
A Good Insulating Material
Wood also has low heat conductivity; unlike aluminum, brick, and concrete, wood is one of the best insulators available. You can more easily stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, which is especially desirable in Maryland, where temperatures can vary greatly.
Quick to Assemble
Wood is readily available and historic building material that does not take extensive processing to be ready for construction. It also does not need too much time for construction, as it is easily customizable and lightweight.
LEARN MORE WITH SHORE-LINE CONSTRUCTION!
At Shore-Line Construction, we know that your home is a reflection of you. That’s why we strive to make each home we build as beautiful as the family who will live there. We work with each of our clients to design a home that fits their needs. The end result is a durable, energy-efficient custom home that the family will enjoy for generations to come. Shore-Line Construction has been serving our customers for over 25 years, and we look forward to the opportunity to help you!
If you’re interested in learning more about what Shore-Line Construction can do for you, check out our website or give us a call at 410-574-6623. Keep up with all of the latest news by following our blog and social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Houzz!
