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Why use green houses in hot tropical countries?

Why does the dominican republic use cement to build their houses?

  • I went to the Dominican Republic recently, and I noticed that most of the houses were built with cement blocks rather than wood framing (which is the most common method of home construction in the United States). I am just wondering why do the 2 countries build houses so differently. Why are there not more houses in the United States built with cement blocks, and vice-versa with the Dominican Republic and wood-framed houses?

  • Answer:

    Just one word: 'TERMITES". When you live in the Caribbean, the Termites will eat your books and any wooden furnitue you bring with you. I remember seeing Termites eat a whole Baby Grand Piano. In addition to makign houses Termite proof, Concrete stands up better to Hurricaines, but it's the Termite problem that causes peopel to build with concrete.

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in addition to the termites question there is "pressure treated" lumber available, and I've built a lot of houses on St Thomas out of it..........but you have to ship it in from the States. On other Caribbean islands not only is it shipped in, there are customs duties.......so a 8' 2 x 4 which costs 2.00 in Boston is $6.00 on STT and who knows what further down island. So cost, more than being eaten..... cement and block is cheap and can be put up by unskilled labor,....one good mason.............and there are a lot of good West Indian masons........and a bunch of guys to carry block and mix cement.............

yankee_sailor

Cement houses are stronger to resist the weather (example the storms in in the USA) and also the termites are common over here.

Pro Service

possiblyto withstand hurricane force winds. Also cement is readily available.

Riki

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