Reply to: I survived Hurricane Irma

[Lance]

The British liking for building dwellings almost exclusively of brick or similar materials arose from the strict restrictions on building materials imposed in London after the Great Fire of 1666 in an attempt to prevent a recurrence. (The regulations seem to have worked to the extent of largely frustrating the Luftwaffe's plans to orchestrate a repeat of that event.)

Whereas the USA is still a young nation, and many of the murderers of the indigenous population pioneer settlers had to build of wood because that was all that was really available and workable by an ordinary family - it was usual for a family to build their own house in those early days. So the idea of building houses out of wood just doesn't seem so weird to them.

That's my theory anyway

I think you're not far off.
Building from wood makes a lot of sense in a country without dangerous weather and is moderately temperate. Like the UK.
I'm not sure if we build out of brick for your reason, or because we ran out of forests but had mud and coal.
Wood is an excellent insulator and is cheap. And can last sufficient decades that a rebuild every 50 years or so is economically viable due to reduced costs.

[NickFitz]

Seriously, I'm always puzzled why so many people in hurricane prone areas like Florida persist in building houses out of wood and cardboard, especially when they also have termites to contend with.

I mean surely houses built of bricks or stone, or just reinforced concrete (which needn't imply bunker-like thickness) would make far more sense, especially if built on stilts in effect so cars could be parked in basement garages and the house would be unharmed by the occasional flood.

The British liking for building dwellings almost exclusively of brick or similar materials arose from the strict restrictions on building materials imposed in London after the Great Fire of 1666 in an attempt to prevent a recurrence. (The regulations seem to have worked to the extent of largely frustrating the Luftwaffe's plans to orchestrate a repeat of that event.)

Whereas the USA is still a young nation, and many of the murderers of the indigenous population pioneer settlers had to build of wood because that was all that was really available and workable by an ordinary family - it was usual for a family to build their own house in those early days. So the idea of building houses out of wood just doesn't seem so weird to them.

That's my theory anyway

[northernladyuk]

Sheep have standards.

They don't allow smoking for one thing.

[jamesbrown]

PC prefers more amorous activities in a phone box....

Sheep have standards.

[greenlake]

Tell you what NLUK - you could start an argument in a phone box mun :-)

That's easy. Have seen many a person lose it in a phone box

PC prefers more amorous activities in a phone box....

[northernladyuk]

When there is an idiot involved the odds are in my favour.

Especially as he'll be phoning you in the phone box, to tell you about some worrying new trend he is experiencing in his inane life.

[northernladuk]

Tell you what NLUK - you could start an argument in a phone box mun :-)

When there is an idiot involved the odds are in my favour.

[sal]

Seriously, I'm always puzzled why so many people in hurricane prone areas like Florida persist in building houses out of wood and cardboard, especially when they also have termites to contend with.

I mean surely houses built of bricks or stone, or just reinforced concrete (which needn't imply bunker-like thickness) would make far more sense, especially if built on stilts in effect so cars could be parked in basement garages and the house would be unharmed by the occasional flood.

It probably have something to do with the fact that although a brick/concrete building shell is likely to survive such storms the interior will be trashed by the rain and storm surge. It will also likely require inspection of the foundations and structure before you can safely move back in. If something is found to be wrong them you are screwed. In contrast the popular cardboard houses are simply wiped out leaving you a nice flat piece of land to rebuild on using the insurance money. Consider it as enforced re-decoration every now and then.

[ladymuck]

Tell you what NLUK - you could start an argument in a phone box mun :-)

That's easy. Have seen many a person lose it in a phone box

[psychocandy]

Totally this. We were out in Mexico when hurricane Kenna hit us. They had the buildings strapped down with seat belt straps and everything. There were cows, cars you name it flying past the windows. I've never seen anything like it. By the time the let us go to the airport it was utter devastation. Very sobering experience.

I'm out in Vegas and there are loads of people here escaping the hurricane. There aren't many bars where someone is in tears about what's going on down there.

But as long as Psychotwat is ok then everything is OK I guess

Tell you what NLUK - you could start an argument in a phone box mun :-)

[northernladyuk]

Nope - first BAU flight out on tuesday was the one we were booked on anyway.

FTFY

[psychocandy]

I just hope he didn't experience disruption to his travel plans and miss his signing on day.

Nope - first BA flight out on tuesday was the one we were booked on anyway.

[northernladuk]

Friends of ours were in Orlando throughout. They were in a hi-rise which was of fairly solid construction. The whole building was moving and the rain coming in through the closed windows...

The power of such a storm is incomprehensible unless you've been through one.

Totally this. We were out in Mexico when hurricane Kenna hit us. They had the buildings strapped down with seat belt straps and everything. There were cows, cars you name it flying past the windows. I've never seen anything like it. By the time the let us go to the airport it was utter devastation. Very sobering experience.

I'm out in Vegas and there are loads of people here escaping the hurricane. There aren't many bars where someone is in tears about what's going on down there.

But as long as Psychotwat is ok then everything is OK I guess

[northernladyuk]

Seriously, I'm always puzzled why so many people in hurricane prone areas like Florida persist in building houses out of wood and cardboard, especially when they also have termites to contend with.

I mean surely houses built of bricks or stone, or just reinforced concrete (which needn't imply bunker-like thickness) would make far more sense, especially if built on stilts in effect so cars could be parked in basement garages and the house would be unharmed by the occasional flood.

I know! And so many Americans fecklessly persist in refusing to get medical insurance, despite the USA having the finest medical facilities in the world! It's baffling.

[malvolio]

Seriously, I'm always puzzled why so many people in hurricane prone areas like Florida persist in building houses out of wood and cardboard, especially when they also have termites to contend with.

I mean surely houses built of bricks or stone, or just reinforced concrete (which needn't imply bunker-like thickness) would make far more sense, especially if built on stilts in effect so cars could be parked in basement garages and the house would be unharmed by the occasional flood.

Friends of ours were in Orlando throughout. They were in a hi-rise which was of fairly solid construction. The whole building was moving and the rain coming in through the closed windows...

The power of such a storm is incomprehensible unless you've been through one.