Wood, Brick, Stone, Steel, Concrete
What would you want your home built out of?
Wood is a very common building/framing material here. The main support beam is usually steel. Brick or stone might be used in a decorative way but not to support the structure. Concrete is used for the foundation.
Overall I feel safe in these homes. The buildings are strong enough for any weather events short of a tornado. An earthquake is very rare here but knowing the house would 'bend before breaking' feels comforting.
Apartment buildings are often brick over a steel framework (very common in commercial construction).
I've been watching "House Hunters International" on TV... lots of old stone construction in one town in Italy... Concrete over steel (I think) for newer apartments in Paris... and in Norway I'm seeing wood-frame construction, much like here.
What sort of construction material is common where you are? Do you have a preference? Do tall buildings comfort you or scare you? With wood construction... the house might make a creaking sound during a storm... would this worry you?
Your home, your castle ... what do want holding it up?
Comments (33)
welcome back! me i would like a rustic house so i pick wood.
After 9-11 I've developed some kinda' vertigo!
Rustic wood for you. Do you prefer an older home with its own charming personality or something newer... with less 'personality'
Limestone ... hmm ... walls of stone and mortar or cement (?) ... There's an advantage to keeping the temperature more steady when the walls that thick/heavy (lots of thermal mass) ... Is this part of the purpose or is limestone just a plentiful resource where you are?
The house can be old looking outside but inside need be new and with some nice original sculptures and nice rustic furniture also for thre kitchen, also a balcony if not a place where i can see the nature and just relax there and enjoy a cup of coffee or a tea and read a book in peace..ahhhh dreams!
ok gentelmens me i go sleep is late for me,
Titanium?
Tinted window/glass ... That's in interesting idea.
I've heard that granite counter-tops aren't as 'maintenance free' as some of the other solid-surface materials available.
Steel framing (steel studs) is an interesting idea.
Do you have an opinion about steel roofs? That seems to be catching on... properly installed, it seems like a great idea ... looks good ... insulates well ... I wonder if there are seems to re-caulk after a number of years ... one house near here had this type of roof installed. It looks better than I thought it would.
Oh, and bulletproof pane; coz you just never know!
To be honest though, I live in a small cottage made of 'stone' and it's very weather worthy. If I had the money then that is what I would have, don't like 'tall' buildings nor some of these 'OTT' houses they build, all glass and steel.
Cheers
Lots of wood throughout ... but also of modern construction.
Lots of protection from... well... anything!
A bit too much in the rain gauge lately?
It's been way too dry over here ... really giving the farmers fits. Locally we're finally getting some rain but are still far behind our normal amount.
A small cottage made of stone ... very weather-worthy ... all sounds really nice.
I agree about the steel and glass high-rise (tall buildings) ... I understand why they are built that way ... but can't say I'd want to live in one. (not too sure about wanting to work in one either)
The look of stone and brick ... sounds like you are ready to meet with the architect.
Also sounds like a nice move coming up for you. Location, budget, timing... and nothing is ever perfect... but there are times when a change is good. Should I start saving boxes and old blankets to help with your move? ... I figure we'll round up a few CS'ers ... a rental truck ... and we'll have it all done for you in a day!
I like the idea. In the Southwest US (and in Mexico), thick, heavy exterior walls are often used as a barrier against the heat of the Summer sun. Adobe (mud/clay) is common.
I like the feeling of permanence that comes with stone/brick construction... it just feels like it will last forever.
There's natural gas here for heating and cooking so I also have a carbon-monoxide detector ... problems are rare but having something to look out for you when you're sleeping is a good idea.
The house picture came from local real-estate ads ... the idea of a log home has been around a long time and some people really like the look of them. They aren't too common though... I was looking for 'rustic' (and a nice front porch :-) This one seemed to fit.
I love it!!
Oh kisses to you!!!
Morocco was great with the indoor courtyards............
but i want a fire place in the bedroom!
It's kind of my dream house, Rich (hi!
You still can see wooden house in villages throughout the country and most of are built quite high from the ground to avoid attacks from wild animals and flood. Many buildings in the cities are made of brick, stone and concrete
Sorry last night i was to tierd i went sleep. Is something like that but not really that type.
Thank you for adding the picture! I've seen homes like this before... but only in pictures.
In some coastal areas here similar construction is used. It protects the home from unusual tides and storms. I wonder how deep the supports need to go... probably several meters into the sand/dirt.
The wide roof with open space (porch) all the way around is appealing.
Hay bale ... I know someone who added hay bale walls around an old barn they were converting into a store. They compress the bales and stack them along the outer wall (with outer panels and inner walls added so you don't see the hay itself). It's a really interesting way to insulate.
I like the houses on the above pics, all natural
It's nice to see you.
I like the last one the most ... a cottage on a lake (about a 90 minute drive from here) ... I'd enjoy being on a lake.