Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : 2026 TeoTwawKi ... 2032 Darkest Interregnum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Elroy Jetson who wrote (49194)	4/25/2009 4:42:36 PM
From: SuperChief	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 218434

Homes built of slump-stone (hollow brick) are the least expensive type to build in America, so they are very unpopular as they seem very down-market. Not so here in the Arizona Desert. 40 years ago all homes were built with hollow brick. A change occurred around 15 years ago and most homes started to be built with wood framing and stucco (California style) and the hollow block was reserved for expensive homes. Around this time particle board began to be used. I assume these changes allowed the builders to build more cheaply. As I drive around the valley I see the McMansions being built entirely out of wood frame and particle board. The builders cover it with stucco and a clay tile roof. My house is a middle class tract house built 31 years ago using hollow brick. No particle board anywhere, real plywood on the roof so thick a horse could stand up there. I added a 3th bathroom and an large 20X15 ft. room 23 years ago using the same materials as the original house which also has 100% copper pipes and copper wiring, not the case with some new home builders. I added double pane windows, extra insulation in the attic and super white roof tiles so now my energy consumption is only half of what the same size house uses here. There are still hollow block homes being built but they are expensive. The hollow blocks are filled in with foam so the houses are very energy efficient.