Why no concrete walls? (Dallas, Point: houses, buyers, construction)

[explorer787]

Coming from Florida. Here, a lot of the homes are constructed of concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls - those 8" blocks.

Was wondering why all homes in Dallas appear to be wood framed? Can't seem to find too much info online. Appears to be that the shifting soil may cause slab or foundation issues. But, with post tension seeks like you could remedy those things

For those super savvy construction folks - what about tunnel form, or at least CMU walls with foam shot in them?

[eastriver]

There wasn't a big market for the terrazzo floors and winding jalousie windows that went in them.

[Katana49]

The homes that have that are generally on the coast, where hurricanes and storm surges are a real threat, a wood framed house would have issues with rot, mold, etc, if built in such a location.


We don't have hurricanes here in the Dallas area. Houses built on the coast in TX are either concrete block or built on stilts. If you wanted to build your own home, you could certainly use concrete block but it just isn't necessary here.

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by explorer787

Coming from Florida. Here, a lot of the homes are constructed of concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls - those 8" blocks.

Was wondering why all homes in Dallas appear to be wood framed? Can't seem to find too much info online. Appears to be that the shifting soil may cause slab or foundation issues. But, with post tension seeks like you could remedy those things

For those super savvy construction folks - what about tunnel form, or at least CMU walls with foam shot in them?

Point blank it's cheaper! The advantages of CMU, Tilt-up (Tiltwall) concrete, etc. are many. Just to name two significant advantages; we have a heavy probability of termites and this significantly reduces that problem, tornadoes are common (hurricanes in coastal regions) and this method provides significantly more protection against wind borne debris damage. Wood framing is much cheaper for materials as well as labor and using CMU or concrete requires a different set of training and experience (skill set) that is simply not available here in large enough quantities.

[UnfairPark]

It’s a pity but cost of material and lack of skilled labor dictates trends. Houses here are a sham but it’s okay, ignorant buyers are more interested in superficial things so it doesn’t matter to builders.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

It’s a pity but cost of material and lack of skilled labor dictates trends. Houses here are a sham but it’s okay, ignorant buyers are more interested in superficial things so it doesn’t matter to builders.

Houses built today are highly flammable death traps full of sapling wood, Chinese drywall, and plastic.

[explorer787]

Costs make sense. Coming from block homes and seeing what water and termites can do to wood-framing I've always preferred block walls.

Just learned you do not need licenses/certificates for certain construction work in TX - this means i can youtube how to be a mason and build my own block walls :-P

[eastriver]

Originally Posted by explorer787

Costs make sense. Coming from block homes and seeing what water and termites can do to wood-framing I've always preferred block walls.

Just learned you do not need licenses/certificates for certain construction work in TX - this means i can youtube how to be a mason and build my own block walls :-P

What did they do before YouTube?

Originally Posted by escanlan

...and using CMU or concrete requires a different set of training and experience (skill set) that is simply not available here in large enough quantities.

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

It’s a pity but cost of material and lack of skilled labor dictates trends. Houses here are a sham but it’s okay, ignorant buyers are more interested in superficial things so it doesn’t matter to builders.

Dallas has a paucity of concrete construction knowledge and experience, especially with brick veneer over wood frame.

[HP48G]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

It’s a pity but cost of material and lack of skilled labor dictates trends. Houses here are a sham but it’s okay, ignorant buyers are more interested in superficial things so it doesn’t matter to builders.

It’s not like buyers have a choice of concrete built houses to buy. The fact is the vast majority of US housing stock is wood framed and that’s not going to change. In fact, the use of wood is booming in mid-rise residential. And some countries may even allow it in high rise construction...

[EDS_]

Concrete is about as environmentally unfriendly as a building material can be. Look for less concrete use over the decades not more.



https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/22/inves...nge/index.html