Living an American dream is most people’s life goal. The land of opportunities and game changing lifestyle attracts every young individual who wants a decent to the scale of luxury living.
The first step to this dream would be owning an American house. In fact, Nearly half of American consumer spending is dedicated to housing and transportation, with housing expenditures, which is 32.9 percent of total expenditures in 2023, increased 4.7 percent after a 7.4-percent increase in 2022, according to the report published by US Bureau of Labor Statistics in September 2024.
But, even with great homes and properties, they are never sufficiently strong to keep anyone safe. Mostly American houses are made up of wood and cardboard, a dangerous combination which can easily burst into flames or fly away.
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In 2024, wildfires devastated millions of hectares across six continents, leaving lasting scars on ecosystems and communities. The need for innovative, scalable solutions has never been more urgent.
Wildfires burned over 14 million acres across North America. In the United States, Oregon experienced its most severe wildfire season on record, with over 1.4 million acres burned by early August. The severity was exacerbated by a combination of climate change and human activity, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive wildfire management strategies that can address these growing challenges.
The most recent in this devastating phenomenon was the January 2025’s Los Angeles wildfire which caught world attention because of its celebrity status. Many Hollywood actors lost their houses in the fire – because those luxury houses were made of majorly wood. Although, precautions were taken, the houses went down in flames.
Tornado is an another natural disaster that hits the land resulting in massive debris. According to the National Centers of Environmental Information, more than 1,100 tornadoes were reported through May 2024 − a preliminary number but nearly twice the 30-year average at that point and the highest May count on record surpassing the 550 tornadoes of May 2003.
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By the reports of the Center For Disaster Philanthropy, 2024 was called the most active tornado season since 2017. A total of 53 people were killed by tornadoes in 2024, which is one-tenth of the fatalities in 2011, a year marked by many strong, deadly tornadoes in the southeast United States.
So why they are still in these wooden houses?
Well, the reason for this goes back to the history of US housing culture. America has abundant resources of timber, which makes its easily accessible and affordable. So, it became a main material for homes in America. Over time, wood became part of American idea of happy family.
Even though concrete, bricks and plaster create a strong and fireproof construction which also saves energy, the familiarity with woods make it more appealing. This ‘Path dependence‘ has created a mindset among builders and architectures to follow established methods.
Ultimately, the decision to build with wood depends on a variety of factors, including climate, budget, and personal preference. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of wood construction, homeowners and builders can make informed decisions and create structures that are both functional and beautiful.
