Most houses in the USA are built like scout huts; softwood framing, 6" glasswool infill with gyproc on the inside face, and Tyvek on the outside. To keep the burgulars out this is then covered with solid "siding". Siding used to be old fashioned weatherboarding, but nowadays it's usually vinyl covered moulded chipboard, or about 30 something gauge ali coverd if you're rich. Both embossed to look like weatherboard / clapboard. Siding usually lasts about 10 to 15 years. Huge market for mock wood! Rooves are tiled with bituminous felt "tiles". All nailed together with nailgun. Diesel tank for heating usually in shallow cellar to stop oil waxing up in winter. I asked, and no, the timber was not treated with fire retardant (or any preservative either) and these houses on the development were to sell at 1 1/2 million dollars. Oh, and no double glazing, this in NY state where they get several feet of snow every winter. My sis in law has heating system (small 3 bed house) bigger than our village hall's at the back of her garage.
Construction method to look forward to?
