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Why are wooden houses more common in the USA? Understand the predominance of masonry in Brazil: Discover why wooden houses are more common in the USA and why masonry predominates in Brazil. Historical and geographic factors influence these choices.
Wooden houses in the USA: Understand the difference in relation to Brazil – You may have already noticed the construction standard of houses in the United States, often portrayed in films and series as being made of wood. These constructions contrast with the masonry houses common in Brazil. But why do the Are wooden houses in the USA more common and masonry houses predominate in Brazil? In this article, we will explore the historical, geographic, and cultural factors that influence these choices.
In the USA, abundance of wood and construction agility are factors that have historically favored the use of this material. In Brazil, the availability of materials such as bricks and concrete, in addition to climatic and cultural issues, made masonry the predominant choice. Read on to understand the reasons behind these differences and how they shaped building styles in each country.
Understand why wooden houses are more common in the USA
In the United States, there is an abundance of high-quality timber, especially in regions such as the northwest of the country, where vast pine forests predominate. This reveals why wooden houses are more common in the USA, as they are easily accessible and relatively cheap.
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In Brazil, on the other hand, although there are extensive forest areas, the historical focus has been mainly on the extraction of wood for other purposes, such as the production of Paper And Cellulose. Furthermore, the masonry house in Brazil is more common due to the availability of materials such as bricks, mortar and cement.
Climatic conditions also play an important role in the choice of building materials. In the United States, especially in areas with harsh winters, wood is preferred for its ability to thermal insulation, helping to keep homes warm.
The log home in the US is flexible enough to expand and contract with changes in temperature, which can be an important consideration in climates with large seasonal variations. In Brazil, where many regions have a warmer climate year-round, masonry may be preferred for its ability to retain heat during the day and gradually release it at night, keeping the interior of houses cooler.
Cultural traditions also influence owners when building
Cultural traditions and construction practices also influence material choices and reveal why wooden houses are more common in the US. In the country norte-americano, especially in areas where European colonization had a great influence, such as New England, the tradition of wooden construction was established from the first settlements.
In Brazil, Portuguese influence and, later, migration from other regions of Europe, brought with them masonry techniques that have become prevalent in civil construction. The availability of technology and construction techniques also plays a significant role in understanding why there are masonry houses in Brazil and wooden houses in the USA.
In the United States, wood construction is highly developed, with advanced cutting, treatment and assembly techniques, which makes building with wood a viable and effective option.
In Brazil, although masonry is predominant, there are also significant advances in wood construction techniques, but these may not be as widely adopted due to tradition and availability of materials.
Which house construction model is most financially accessible?
Determining which type of construction is cheaper, whether in wood, as in the United States or in masonry, as in Brazil, depends on a variety of factors, in addition to the initial cost of the materials. In general, wood tends to be cheaper than masonry materials, such as bricks, cement and mortar. Therefore, wooden construction can be more economical at the time of construction.
the cost of labor may vary depending on region and availability of skilled workers. In some areas, it may be cheaper to build from wood due to the simplicity of construction techniques and the availability of workers familiar with them.
However, in other regions, where masonry is more common, there may be an abundance of skilled masonry workers, which can make this type of construction more economical. Another point is that wooden houses in the USA may require more maintenance over time than masonry.
Masonry, on the other hand, is generally more durable and requires less maintenance. Wood can be less efficient in terms of thermal insulation than masonry, especially in climates with extreme temperatures.
Therefore, cooling costs may be higher in a log home, which can increase operating costs over time. In terms of durability, masonry generally tends to be more durable than wood, especially when constructed with bricks or concrete blocks.
I heard that in the US, the property tax on brick houses is much higher than on wooden houses! That's why there is a financial incentive influencing the choice!
It's because Americans haven't seen the story of the 3 little pigs