When you drive through suburban neighborhoods in the United States or Canada, you’ll rarely see homes built of brick or concrete. Rather, the vast majority are wood-framed structures. There are solid historical, economic, environmental and technical reasons why this approach dominates North American home construction.
Historical Roots and Resource Abundance
From early colonial times, North America had vast forests of softwood species such as pine, spruce and fir. Early settlers found it far easier to harvest and assemble wood than to quarry stone, fire bricks or transport heavy masonry materials. In fact, Canada’s building tradition still emphasizes wood-frame homes today. (Data Source: wikipedia)
In the U.S., it is estimated that in 2023 some 93% of new single‐family homes were wood-framed.(Data Source: NAHB)
Cost, Speed and Labor Considerations
Wood framing offers a particularly favorable cost and speed advantage. As one industry analysis noted: “wooden houses ... typically cost less to install … a wood‐framed house can even be made earthquake-resistant much more cheaply and easily than one made from brick.” (Data Source: arkance)
Another report shows wood-framed homes reached a 94% share of all new U.S. single-family homes in 2022. (Data Source: Eyes on housing)
These numbers reflect how builders in the U.S. and Canada favour wood because it simplifies construction, requires less specialized labor than masonry, and enables faster turnaround times.These numbers reflect how builders in the U.S. and Canada favour wood because it simplifies construction, requires less specialized labor than masonry, and enables faster turnaround times.
Technical & Environmental Benefits
Beyond cost and speed, wood has practical thermal and structural benefits in North-American climates. In colder regions, wood acts as a natural insulator reducing energy demands. A 2022 blog noted: “Wood is a great natural insulator... throughout both the summer and winter, you can feel comfortable in a wooden house, without spending a fortune on heating or air conditioning.” (Data Source: Usihome) Moreover, modern wood-framed homes comply with stringent building codes and are engineered for durability, fire resistance and even seismic performance in many regions.
Adaptation to North-American Living Patterns
Another important driver is mobility and housing turnover. In the U.S., Americans move frequently; a construction model that allows homes to be built quickly and affordably fits that lifestyle. According to a review: wood-framed homes are easy to modify, expand or renovate, which aligns with modern consumer behaviour.
Can Huiye chandelier lifts be installed in wooden houses in the U.S. and Canada?
Although the Huiye Rotating Chandelier Lift System was originally designed for concrete ceilings, it can now be easily installed in wooden ceiling structures after adding high-strength Q235 steel bars as mounting brackets. Whether your ceiling joists are spaced 16" or 24" apart, the lift fits perfectly. Once installed, it allows your chandelier to move up and down freely — and even rotate 360°, adding elegance and style to your space.
Summary
In short: wood is abundant in North America, wood construction is cost-effective and efficient, and wood-framed homes meet the environmental, structural and lifestyle needs of the U.S. and Canada. These factors combined have made wood the dominant material for single-family homes across the region — a reality backed by solid data and decades of experience.
With the support of high-strength steel bars, the Huiye Rotating Chandelier Lift System can be installed between the ceiling joists or in the attics of wooden houses.