> Not only is it less expensive to build, but it's tremendously more energy-efficient when filled with insulation
With modern buiding techniques - building an air tight home and then ventilating with mechanical ventilation, and taking into account thermal bridging - that's no longer true. If anything the extra thermal mass, compared to a wooden framed house, helps to keep it more comfortable and reduce energy consumption during day-night temperature swings. Some bricks, e.g. clay blocks with air pockets inside [0], are both structural and somewhat insulating - you could use them for something like a garage without any other insulation. If you are cheap you don't even need a facade :D
A lot of Central Europe has similar climates to NY - my area had -25C in the winter and 36C just this week. We usually don't even turn on the heating until it gets below 0C outside, as our home is more than comfortable enough (above 21C / 70F) inside until then.
Not gonna argue with the expensive part (there's a reason why people don't build 5000sqft homes here), however it is worth mentioning in most desirable places to build, it is often the land that is the most expensive part.
With modern buiding techniques - building an air tight home and then ventilating with mechanical ventilation, and taking into account thermal bridging - that's no longer true. If anything the extra thermal mass, compared to a wooden framed house, helps to keep it more comfortable and reduce energy consumption during day-night temperature swings. Some bricks, e.g. clay blocks with air pockets inside [0], are both structural and somewhat insulating - you could use them for something like a garage without any other insulation. If you are cheap you don't even need a facade :D
A lot of Central Europe has similar climates to NY - my area had -25C in the winter and 36C just this week. We usually don't even turn on the heating until it gets below 0C outside, as our home is more than comfortable enough (above 21C / 70F) inside until then.
Not gonna argue with the expensive part (there's a reason why people don't build 5000sqft homes here), however it is worth mentioning in most desirable places to build, it is often the land that is the most expensive part.
[0] https://www.wienerberger.com/en/brands-and-products/wall.htm...