Any Europeans who aren't buying RE only be ause the way houses are built here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:people who say houses were built better in the "old days" are really stupid and ignorant of building codes and new materials.

You are so right. The resin-plastic squares shaped like grey stones on new-home construction are a real improvement over the granite stones that have formed the foundation of my house for 103 years with no issues. I'm sure those grey plastic things molded to resemble stone will also hold up just as well for 103 years!

Repeat for hardwoods, clay brick, solid brass radiators, etc.

It's weird how my plaster is still pretty awesome but my sisters 2004 drywall is buckling and showing seams. I guess that's because Chinese drywall is so superior?

Chinese drywall was used in the south such as Florida and Mississippi for a short period of time before being banned. The chinese drywall wasn't banned because of cracking or easily being damaged, it was banned due to chemicals that were causing oxidation on metals and indoor air quality issues.

Any house built will have some settling so even you 103 year old house probably had cosmetic plaster cracks 5-10 years after it was built.

The reason you think that new homes only last 50 years is because that's the regulation and rule but will last much longer. In fact the moisture resistance and house seal would enable the home to resist the deterioration of a house made a long time a go.

Often older homes last longer is because sometime during their life time they have been updated to moderin building codes and moisture resistant sealing that are standard in today's current homes.

If your home is truly a multi-stone foundation you are prone to settling, shifting and water damages more so then a poured concrete one. Maybe someone will use your foundation as a walkway or a countertop after they tear your home down?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:people who say houses were built better in the "old days" are really stupid and ignorant of building codes and new materials.

You are so right. The resin-plastic squares shaped like grey stones on new-home construction are a real improvement over the granite stones that have formed the foundation of my house for 103 years with no issues. I'm sure those grey plastic things molded to resemble stone will also hold up just as well for 103 years!

Repeat for hardwoods, clay brick, solid brass radiators, etc.

It's weird how my plaster is still pretty awesome but my sisters 2004 drywall is buckling and showing seams. I guess that's because Chinese drywall is so superior?

Hmmm. Gross generalization...just b/c your sister bought a cheap-o house!

I love my newer house and its required-by-code sprinkler system throughout. Some things are an improvement!

[Anonymous]

yes European housing is so spacious http://dornob.com/little-london-flat-living-in-a-300000-closet-literally/

[Anonymous]

OP here.

I want to clarify that I am NOT into Medieval housing, so, what I have in mind is a new buildings versus something from 300 years ago; also, I hate the burbs, and I am ok with smallish and no back yard versus big house with back yard.

Basically, I have a serious hang-up or a problem if you wish paying $_00,000 for this:

http://www.nekretnine.rs/data/images/2012/09/17/img_3781T1347889861_400.jpg


Versus this:

http://green-home-product-source.com/image-files/tyvek-1.jpg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I know I will get a lot of negative comments for posting this, but knowing how homes are made in Europe I just can't justify buying a home for living in it knowing that I am spending a large amount for a home that it is made of wooden pieces and paper.

I am European and I don't understand the point of this post. That troll has no idea what it is talking about. Europe is big and diverse and lodging can vary depending if you live north of Norway or South of Greece, or in a Parisian apartment. Actually, wooden construction can be of very high quality and you find a lot of them in Europe. Some of some were built in the 13 century and are still standing beautifully. I own properties in both continents, and I know they are all very well built.

Why am I a troll again?


I guess because I want to hear if people have similar hang ups and how they justify paying so much frigging money to live in a house mostly not even solid wood, but some wooden composite and covered in Styvek isolation...Everything feels cheap in $1,000,000 homes, everything and it if someone farts on the top floor, it will be heard in the basement....I have not been able to and I am at a loss as I cannot figure out how to reconcile wanting to buy a home and build equity especially with all that has happened in the last 5 years in the housing market.

[Anonymous]

At the end, it all boils down to whether you can you justify paying for a house $_000,000 that will look like that after a strong wind:

http://www.oddee.com/_media/imgs/articles2/a98390_sandy-hurricane_12-house.jpg

[Anonymous]

Why would you build solid wood framing when composite is superior.

I just had a toilet destruction movement up stairs and the wife didn't hear it on the first floor so I doubt the basement.

That has nothing to do with old vs new .

[Anonymous]

It depends on the house in Europe and the house in the US

Our friends in Switzerland have a house that was first framed in wood, then covered in solid brick and then coated in stucco (not the fake EFIS junk but real stucco). The interior finishes are similar to those in high end American houses. It has central heating and air conditioning, heated floors in the bathrooms and is quite nice.

Our house was bult in 1964 and is not of the same style but it is of similar quality. We have renovated and upgraded over the years, so that our Swiss friends see it as similar in quality and style.

Again it depends on what you are buying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thats why we bought new

custom or spec ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Funny. Remembering the housing stock in Holland. Centuries-old buildings with the steepest stairs, tiniest rooms, and bathrooms with no room to even sit on the toilet. I'll take wood, thanks very much.

That's because you all are to fat. Don't piss on my country lard ass, not my fault your people are to big for my toilet seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:people who say houses were built better in the "old days" are really stupid and ignorant of building codes and new materials.

Shutyerpiehole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you build solid wood framing when composite is superior.

I just had a toilet destruction movement up stairs and the wife didn't hear it on the first floor so I doubt the basement.

That has nothing to do with old vs new .

deconstruction movement? Is that a euphemism?

[Anonymous]

We bought a condo. Everything here is to big. Makes us feel more at home.

[Anonymous]

Modern European houses are definitely built more solidly than the average American builder-grade house. Solid doors, nice flooring, excellent windows, walls that don't feel like you'd knock down if you bump into them. Europeans live in smaller spaces than Americans, in part by necessity, but also there's more of an appreciation of quality over quantity.

[Anonymous]

You can build new or old shit , most everything built in the dc area is average to high shit because people can afford to pay more. In the south , not so much.