By Evangelia Ieronymaki, Ph.D., P.E., Associate Program Director and Senior Lecturer in the M.S. in Construction Administration, School of Professional Studies
Evangelia Ieronymaki is a professional civil engineer, associate program director and senior lecturer at the Master of Science in Construction Administration program at Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS), teaching courses in Construction Project Management, Advanced Project Management, and Fundamentals of Construction Methods.
If you live in the U.S., chances are your home is built with timber. For decades, timber has been the go-to material for home construction across the country, making up over 90% of newly built houses. It's fast, cheap, and easy to work with. But with wildfires raging across California and other areas at an unprecedented rate, it’s time to ask: Is timber still the best choice for home construction, or is it time to embrace concrete?
Timber has long been favored for home construction because it’s abundant, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive. It’s also a renewable resource, with lower carbon footprint than concrete when managed properly. However, its susceptibility to fire, pests, and moisture-related deterioration raises long-term safety and maintenance concerns. With climate change fueling record-breaking wildfires, the U.S. reliance on timber construction is becoming increasingly dangerous. While modern fire treatments can improve wood’s resistance, the reality is that wood burns. A timber-framed home stands little chance against a fast-moving wildfire, as we've seen in the recent fires in California. Concrete, on the other hand, is naturally fire-resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures far better than wood.
Europe and Latin America have largely avoided this issue by building with concrete. In countries like Spain, Greece, Brazil, and others, most homes are made from reinforced concrete and brick, making them more resilient to both wildfires and hurricanes. These regions have recognized the long-term durability of concrete, despite its higher upfront costs. Additionally, research on energy systems in buildings has found that concrete's thermal mass properties contribute to energy efficiency over time, making it a smart long-term investment.
Concrete has several advantages over timber. Here is a summary of them:
- Fire Resistance: Concrete doesn’t burn. Unlike timber, concrete homes can withstand wildfires much better, protecting lives and property.
- Durability and Longevity: Concrete is more resistant to moisture, termites, rot, and natural disasters, leading to homes that last longer with minimal maintenance.
- Better Energy Efficiency: Though concrete itself isn’t a great insulator, modern construction techniques make concrete homes highly energy-efficient.
- Lower Maintenance Costs: Timber homes require regular sealing, pest control, and maintenance. Concrete, on the other hand, needs much less upkeep.
- Stronger Against Storm Damage: Concrete is better suited to withstand hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes, which are becoming more common due to climate change.
If concrete is so great, why hasn’t the U.S. fully embraced it like other countries? The biggest reason is cost and tradition. Wood has been the dominant material for over a century, and the infrastructure is already in place to support it. Concrete construction requires different skills, more labor-intensive work, and specialized materials, making it more expensive upfront. Additionally, concrete homes are harder to modify than timber-framed ones. If you want to remodel your house, cutting into a concrete wall is much more difficult than knocking down a timber-framed partition. This makes wood more appealing for a country where homeowners value flexibility and DIY renovations.
If other regions can embrace concrete for its long-term benefits, why can’t we? Given the rising frequency of wildfires, hurricanes, and extreme weather, perhaps it’s time to rethink the way we build American homes, before climate change forces us to.
About the Program
Columbia’s Master of Science in Construction Administration program prepares graduates for a variety of careers at the forefront of construction and project leadership. Graduates develop rewarding careers with some of the world’s most respected architecture, engineering, and construction firms, entrusted with delivering some of the most impactful projects of our time.
The fall 2025 application priority deadline for the M.S. in Applied Analytics program is February 15. The final deadline is June 1. Learn more about the program here.
Some business courses are available online as pre-approved electives.
