Yeah and the stuff’s all rated and graded anyways. New growth is perfectly fine to hold up a house, it’s what codes are based on. If a 2x4 isn’t enough, instead of speccing a higher grade that’s more expensive, just use 2x6.
It’s a total non issue, tradesmen know better than to spread this.
The things you interact with in a new house are much cheaper and lightweight than older counterparts e.g. trims are mdf instead of wood, doors are fiberboard instead of laminated wood, walls are drywall instead of buttonboard, wood I-joists instead of solid wood joists, fixtures are thinner and often plastic instead of metal.
Contractors cheaping out on materials is certainly a thing. There were a bunch of recent-ish cases (in Florida I think?) in which unbeknownst to the home owners / builders, their contractors used substandard Chinese stock for certain wall materials. Unfortunately, those materials wound up leaking toxic gases, making the houses functionally useless. IIRC, contractors got away with it due to some technicality.
Building codes are based on safety and functionality. They’re for human safety, not aesthetics. Compare a solid core door to a hollow core door. Both meet the code definition for a door. Both meet fire break and insulation standards. But the solid core door made from solid bits of real hardwood is going to inevitably feel a lot more solid and of higher quality than the hollow core door.
You can still have a house with all that old world charm if you want. You’re just going to have to do a custom build and pay extra for it.
You can still have a house with all that old world charm if you want. You’re just going to have to do a custom build and pay extra for it.
I completely agree, and at the same time you’ll have to convince every contractor and person you workw with that you actually do want the higher quality items, trims, etc. Almost at every turn folks will steer you toeard cheaper alternatives, because most folks don’t notice or care.
I’m not disagreeing, but it will be more effort than just paying more. It will mean sourcing vendors/contractors that are prepared to do the work too. Personally, I feel it’s worth the extra effort and cost, but I understand why not everyone does.
Materials are regional. Woods easily accessible in Canada and USA, so it’s the predominate material.
Wood and plaster isn’t the most ideal material, but it serves it purpose for the expected longevity in f its purpose. It’s not gonna last as long as stone, but at the same time, does everything need to? People do like change as well.
They can build it stronger, but why waste the money? If a Honda works, why always buy a tank? Not everyone likes them as well.
Top one is pine, bottom one looks like oak?
Not even the same timber if so. Pine is softwood Oak is hardwood.
Yeah and the stuff’s all rated and graded anyways. New growth is perfectly fine to hold up a house, it’s what codes are based on. If a 2x4 isn’t enough, instead of speccing a higher grade that’s more expensive, just use 2x6.
It’s a total non issue, tradesmen know better than to spread this.
Then why do new houses feel like they’re made of sticks and plastic?
The things you interact with in a new house are much cheaper and lightweight than older counterparts e.g. trims are mdf instead of wood, doors are fiberboard instead of laminated wood, walls are drywall instead of buttonboard, wood I-joists instead of solid wood joists, fixtures are thinner and often plastic instead of metal.
Contractors cheaping out on materials is certainly a thing. There were a bunch of recent-ish cases (in Florida I think?) in which unbeknownst to the home owners / builders, their contractors used substandard Chinese stock for certain wall materials. Unfortunately, those materials wound up leaking toxic gases, making the houses functionally useless. IIRC, contractors got away with it due to some technicality.
Building codes are based on safety and functionality. They’re for human safety, not aesthetics. Compare a solid core door to a hollow core door. Both meet the code definition for a door. Both meet fire break and insulation standards. But the solid core door made from solid bits of real hardwood is going to inevitably feel a lot more solid and of higher quality than the hollow core door.
You can still have a house with all that old world charm if you want. You’re just going to have to do a custom build and pay extra for it.
I completely agree, and at the same time you’ll have to convince every contractor and person you workw with that you actually do want the higher quality items, trims, etc. Almost at every turn folks will steer you toeard cheaper alternatives, because most folks don’t notice or care.
I’m not disagreeing, but it will be more effort than just paying more. It will mean sourcing vendors/contractors that are prepared to do the work too. Personally, I feel it’s worth the extra effort and cost, but I understand why not everyone does.
Building standards are LOW and most of the developers are even lower
Code is the floor and developers work in the basement.
Materials are regional. Woods easily accessible in Canada and USA, so it’s the predominate material.
Wood and plaster isn’t the most ideal material, but it serves it purpose for the expected longevity in f its purpose. It’s not gonna last as long as stone, but at the same time, does everything need to? People do like change as well.
They can build it stronger, but why waste the money? If a Honda works, why always buy a tank? Not everyone likes them as well.
Bottom one is old growth fir.
Thanks for the ID
Yup. Every single comparison you see of “Old growth vs new growth” it’s always a different wood species.