In coastal California, an area that is regularly struck by earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes, wood is a better building material. Because it is lightweight, affordable, and easily accessible, wood is the material of choice in the area for building homes and villas, particularly in seismically active locations.
 
On X, people noted that American homes tended to be made of wood, whereas european homes were made of brick and mortar.
 
Social media users also asserted that the US has always been a nation of carpenters rather than masons. However, according to a 2013 Reuters article, there was a significant carpenter shortage in the US.

According to the study, builders were having trouble starting projects because of the severe lack of qualified carpenters. Housing developments were being delayed by up to two months due to the shortfall.
 
In 2013, the National Association of home Builders informed Reuters that in addition to carpenters, there was a lack of roofers, masons, sheet rockers, and electricians—all of whom are essential to finishing home projects.
 
Additionally, wood's vulnerability to fire was a disadvantage in the recent wildfires, as it fueled the flames and helped destroy houses and other structures. Concrete and steel are examples of non-wood materials that are durable, fire resistant, and have reduced long-term expenses.
 
According to a 2021 TIME story, American homes are still obstinately built of wood.
 
According to the National Association of home Builders, 90% of new homes constructed in the area in 2019 had wood frames, making wood the most common material used in new home building.
 
Israeli poet Saul Sadka reacted to the images of the towering Milabu mansion by asking why new houses were being constructed using wood. "To be honest, I don't really understand why people build beautiful new homes with timber adjacent to forests that combust at regular intervals," Sadka stated on X.
 
"There is no miracle. "We call it 'concrete,'" Sadka continued. Some countered that timber buildings were earthquake-resistant by pointing out that concrete is used in Japan, one of the most earthquake-prone nations. Steel has a greater tensile strength than wood.
 
People also talked about how residents' decision to forgo concrete in favor of wood was influenced by insurance rebates.
 
"The house on the left of the survivor may not be made of wood either, but as we can see, the survivor is brand-new construction, while the one on the left is more than 25 years old," Sadka continued, sharing an old photo of the neighborhood. It also depends on luck.
 
The concrete and fire-proofed roof of the Malibu house may have been two of the reasons why it withstood the deadliest flames.
 
 
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G GOWTHAM

14/01/2025 09:59 AM