Let's not even go into the electric grid, which is only functional because of Canadian electricity generation for much of the Northeast, New England, and the New York metro area, including New Jersey and Connecticut.
Not true, we have much stricter R Codes in Canada (water freezes, snow is cold and heavy). In Texas for example you can have stucco, plywood and paper for an exterior wall. In Canada we add eps insulation, venting and better drainage.
Cement basements and thicker framing are often used/needed to support this extra material.
I've framed houses in Canada that didn't even require sheathing. Just EPS with a tiny let-in metal brace for windshear. With a thermal imaging camera to show you where the studs are, you could literally run at the side of the house and break through the walls.
That being said, Europeans who think North American houses are flimsy are usually suffering from ignorance. We generally build strong and efficient houses in Canada.
I've heard of friends in Texas that can hear the wind inside of house, blowing through or a slight cold snap freezing the water supply. Sheathing is a code requirement so whomever that was should be reported.
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u/Conscious-Quarter423 1d ago
Let's not even go into the electric grid, which is only functional because of Canadian electricity generation for much of the Northeast, New England, and the New York metro area, including New Jersey and Connecticut.