Wood framing remains the most dominant construction method for single-family homes in the U.S., according to NAHB analysis of 2022 Census Bureau data. For 2022 completions, 94% of new homes were wood-framed, another 6% were concrete-framed homes, and less than half a percent was steel-framed.
On a count basis, there were 956,000 wood-framed homes completed in 2022. This was a 7% gain over the 2021 total. The wood-framed market share has increased for the past three years, from 90% in 2019 to 94% in 2022. As noted above, steel-framed homes are relatively uncommon, with a total of 3,000 housing completions in 2022, the same amount as the 2021 completions.
Concrete-framed homes experienced the third straight decline in 2022. After a 5% decrease in 2021 and a 13% decrease in 2020, the total number of concrete-framed homes decreased 11% from 71,000 completions in 2021 to 63,000 in 2022. Meanwhile, the concrete-framed market share decreased from 10% in 2019 to 6% in 2022.
Non-wood based framing methods are primarily concentrated in the South due to residential resiliency requirements. In 2022, concrete-framed homes made up 10% of all homes completed in the South. Approximately two-thirds of steel framed homes completed in 2022 were in the South, with another one-third in the West.
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As wood framing gains traction, it’s essential for builders to consider the associated construction loan requirements and costs, as they may differ from other construction methods.