I’m a contractor and as far as I’m concerned the idea that old houses are better is completely rubbish. There’s always been shoddy builders but at least now they have some building codes to keep them in check. I’m not sure how anyone thinks that people could build whatever they wanted completely unchecked and untrained made for better quality? My county didn’t enforce any build codes until 2012. Until then you were completely free to span 2x6 floor joints 16 ft on 24” centers if you felt like it. Now days plumbing and electrical has to be done by licensed plumbers and electricians and be inspected. Does that ensure quality? Of course not but that’s better than harry hack doing it with zero oversight. Depending on where we’re drawing the line as old the old houses didn’t even have plumbing, electrical or HVAC. Those systems were usually installed later and almost always hacked up. Even crappy new windows seal better than old ones. Heating old homes especially really old ones is a costly venture. Building code requires insulation. Old homes frequently have none or very little. People are usually comparing the elite class of old homes and ignoring that the vast majority of them fell down already. I will agree that old timber was better and the old building lots were usually better. I’m not saying all new houses are good. There’s definitely shoddy builders but at least now they at least have code enforcement. But there’s always been shoddy builders and previously they had zero oversight. I don’t exactly send the code guys a Christmas card they make my life harder and more expensive but I’ve seen enough shoddy work to realize why they exist.
1922 we had building codes in my city and I have the original signed off inspector card.
The stucco is like iron and hammer blows bounce off like hitting an anvil.
I still have the original 1922 cabinets and counters and galvanized pipe and original electric service… maybe because I am only the second owner?
Having renovated many homes over the years and supervising hospital construction has me appreciating just how well built a vintage tract home can be…
I have also seen is too many botched remodels and hacked renovations take their toll.
No doubt and without question today’s homes built right are amazing…
My disappointment is from seeing new tract homes built in the South West… even entire tracts with homes having to truck in water or finding the private sewer lateral not connected, or unsecured/joined trusses, settling where the underground gas and electric physically separate from entry points and stucco so weak the chicken wire shows and a hammer blow is likely to go right through the wall.
Insulation certificates often mean little… no insulation in places or voids… yet signed off.
Also have found entire tracts with aluminum wiring that self loosens or the insulation shrinks back exposing bare conductors… and plastic pipe breaking down from exposure too quickly.
I’m sure no one can forget Chinese Drywall…
In Texas folks were having furnace troubles and the cause determined no rain cap on the gas vents… a sea of straight exposed furnace vents.
Several co workers were part of a class action against the manufacturer of their cellulose fiber roof tiles and they won…
I do think multi pane windows have a useful life until the seal breaks down letting moisture fog.
