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Comment by bkovacev | Hacker News Reader

Does anyone know what are the exact materials used? I'm so used to concrete/bricks/blocks around the area where I live, that this makes me wonder whether it will bear against a stronger winter (while I know the video was filmed in the winter) or wind. Can someone share their experiences with this type of a house? Also, are all houses in the states built like this?

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It is called Stick Frame construction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Framing_(construction) and is the default construction method in the US in areas without much seismic activity and fewer termites. It is a modular system where you can buy all the materials needed ready-made at big box stores like HomeDepot, Lowes or Menards. Professional builders get better prices at their lumber yard. It is very DIY friendly, and if you want to change something (build an addition, change the floor plan, etc.), it is easy to do without getting the sledgehammer out to destroy brick/concrete walls. The standard wall size has enough space to put insulation in the cavities, although it is not much. Building codes require at least R13 in colder areas, but that depends on the areas the house is build. You can build with more cavity space and have superinsulated outer walls that are good enough to qualify for an energy efficient rating like "Passivhouse".

Source: Moved to the US a couple of years ago and researched a lot of building techniques to be able to work on my own house.

Yes, most houses in the US and Canada are built using these types of materials. Specifically they are:

- A poured concrete foundation. (Sometimes blocks are used.)

- Dimensional lumber - spruce/pine/fir cut to standard dimensions for structural members (rafters, studs, joists, posts, beams).

- Engineered lumber - structural lumber that looks like plywood, strandboard, or combinations thereof but is designed to bear significant load in horizontal or vertical structural applications. This stuff lets you build stronger structure in less space than simple dimensional lumber, and there's a huge range of products for different applications.

- Panels - OSB or plywood manufactured panels (typically in 4x8ft sizes) are typically used for roof decks and wall sheathing.

- Housewrap and siding - to seal the exterior against water and air leaks, and provide a nice-looking exterior covering.

- Insulation - because there are nice big cavities inside of a wood-framed wall, that's a natural place to put insulation. Fiberglass is the most common, but foam, cellulose, and rock-wool products are also frequently used.

This is in Canada, a country that is not exactly known for mild winters. I grew up in a place that sometimes hit -20 to -40 degrees C with huge amounts of snow in similar houses. It comes down to insulation and waterproofing.

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