Posted By Alton on 28 Mar 2015 11:05 PM
Maybe it is time that we use more ICFs, SIPs, SCIPs.
I agree. We need to use materials that are more resilient that last for hundreds or even thousands of years.
The lumber industry is a billion dollar industry and they have a lot of power/control in how things are done in the USA. Nobody talks about how much embodied energy and pollution is caused when 600,000 homes per year are damaged by termites and crews have to come out, demolish, fill landfills, spray chemicals, cut new lumber, etc. This process continues hundreds of thousands of times per year, year after year.
In Europe there are structures that are standing for hundreds and even thousands of years (those of course that weren't bombed during WWII). The reason WHY is simple. Masonry or concrete. It is time tested and basically man-made rock. Termites and other elements won't effect concrete, unlike wood.
I am NOT against all lumber. I think lumber inside of a home is a beautiful warm thing. I also believe engineered lumber can do some amazing things with it's strength.