There are a lot of things that Canadians and Americans have in common, and there are a lot of things that set them apart from each other.
What are Canadian houses made of?
Canadian houses are typically made of wood. This has to do with the traditions and also that wood is a relatively cheap material in Canada. Canadian houses are also built with good insulation to withstand the low temperatures in the winter.
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What Materials are Canadian Houses Made Of?
A majority of Canadian homes are built using wooden materials similar to the houses that you can find in America.
Wooden houses are a better choice for most Canadians because they are better economically and ecologically.
Wood is very inexpensive and more readily available in Canada than other potential building materials.
Wood also is better when it comes to temperature changes. Wood is not a thermal bridge, so it is easier to keep wooden homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summers. This can be very important to areas that experience a variety of temperatures, such as Canada and the northern states in America.
However, if you live in northern Canada, transportation of any good can be more costly and will require more money, no matter what material you are looking for to use to build your house.
Why Are so Many Canadian Houses Made of Wood and Not Bricks?
There are pros and cons when it comes to wooden homes versus brick homes:
Brick Home Pros:
One of the most significant advantages when it comes to brick homes is the aesthetic they offer.
Brick not only adds a sophisticated look to your home, but it also increases the value of your home!
When it comes time to sell your home, you can get more money from a home that uses brick than one made of wood.
Like wood, brick can also be an excellent choice for colder weather. Brick retains any natural heat and can save you money on your heating bill, which can help to offset the extra money you might have spent on the home itself.
One final pro to brick homes is the durability that it offers. Not only is brick helpful when it comes to harsh storms, but it is also fireproof and is not susceptible to termites like a wooden house would be.
Brick houses also do not require painting, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of repainting or a chipped paint look. To care for your brick home, you only need a light spray with the hose.
Brick Home Cons:
The biggest con to a brick home is the cost.
Bricks are more expensive than wood and can cost more to transport due to their weight.
You also run the risk of some bricks being misshapen.
Another con to brick homes is that they are not ideal for damp or humid areas because bricks have pores where mold can start to collect.
Brick homes can also not be torn down or moved quickly.
Wooden Home Pros:
Wooden homes cost less money than brick homes, and wood is more available than brick.
Building a wooden home is easier and more accessible to most people than building a brick home. Wood is also more resistant to erosion than brick homes.
Canadian homes are made of wood because of how wood is able to insulate.
Brick does hold heat in, but wood is better at being both cooler in the summer or warmer in the winter.
Wood is also more flexible than brick.
Wooden Home Cons:
The biggest con to wooden homes is the potential wear and tear that you can have when you have a wooden home.
Termite damage or moisture that causes mold or rot can be an issue with a wooden home. You also have to chemically treat wood to prevent getting pests.
Wood is also thought to be less durable against harsh storms.
Why Wood?
Despite the pros and cons, most Canadians use wood to build their homes.
Overall the cost and ease of obtaining and transporting wood, as well as the ecological advantages, drive more Canadians to build wooden homes over brick homes.
Are Canadian Houses Similar to American Houses?
One of the most significant differences when it comes to Canadian homes versus American homes is when it comes to mobile homes or trailers.
A smaller percentage of Canadians live in manufactured homes than those in America. This is mainly because Canada does not build as many manufactured homes as the United States.
Another difference between American homes and Canadian homes is in regards to the size of homes.
While Americans generally value size more than Canadians do, there is a more significant percentage of Canadians living in homes with more than seven rooms than those in America.
How Well Are Canadian Houses Insulated?
Houses in Canada need to be properly insulated to combat the cold temperatures that they can get.
Some insulation types that are used with their wooden houses include:
- Rock Wool
- Lamb Wool
- Recycled Cotton
- Fiberglass
- Mineral Fiber
- Cellulose
- Rigid Foam
- Spray Foam
If you are ever looking at houses in Canada, whether you are buying or building, you will want to make sure it is insulated properly.
This will help you when it comes to heating and cooling costs and living in a house that is a comfortable temperature.
If you are building a house, you might want to consider leaving the insulation to a professional.
What Do Canadian Houses Look Like?
Canadian homes, like American homes, come in all types of varieties.
Roofs in Canada are almost always pitched. Flat roofs are not a good idea in Canada. Too much snow collection can be bad for your roof.
Canadian houses also often have basements.
Basements help to keep your house warmer, and they are great for storing all of the things that you need, such as your furnace, water heater, and other storage/utility space.
It is also common for Canadain homes to have basements because of how deep they have to dig for their water and sewage pipes.
Water and sewage pipes need to be buried below the frost line, which can sometimes be 4 to 8 feet into the ground in Canada.
At that rate, it is common for people to decide to dig out enough space to add a basement.