I moved from Europe to the USA(OH). I noticed a couple of things that worry me. Every house in the US that I entered makes cracking or squeaking noise. I never experienced this in Europe buildings.
I just need reassurance this is normal and safe. I'm not trying to judge or say something is better or worse.
Last night we had high winds and the whole house was making this noise. The roof is made of wooden rafters.
Something like this:
or
The wooden beams look much thinner compared to the ones used in Europe, see img below:
The house will end up looking something like this:
I actuallly lived in a house that looked similar to this one below:
I never experienced this house making any noise, wasn't even able to hear the wind outside.
My question is: Is it normal that the houses constantly make cracking noises when temperature changes or winds are present. Is there anything I can do to fix this issue? Is it safe and can these wooden framed houses withstand high winds, tornados? Especially the roof? The funny thing is that the house I live in now is pretty old(1945) the only thing that is between the roof studs and second floor is drywall. If a tornado rips the roof the drywall would fly away like paper. The house doesn't have a basement so I can't hide anywhere. Why there is no more demand from the public to build houses that don't make cracking and squeaking noise?
Best Answer
Roof construction varies depending on where you live. In the north you need to build to contend with a heavy snow load so roof trusses are more numerous and stronger. Sothern climes, not so much. Further, the roof cladding makes a difference. Many roofs in Europe are covered with tile or slate, which is heavy and needs the extra support.
All buildings will creak and groan to some extent in the wind even steel high-rises. Though you may not notice in stronger buildings.
As for tornadoes.... If the roof blows off.. the drywall wont matter.
In some cases, wood frame is actually better than say brick. A wood frame house will creak and groan and bend, but except in the strongest wind, will not, if constructed correctly, catastrophically fail like a brick or cinder build building. In hurricane areas you will often find the timber frame buildings still standing surrounded by piles of rubble. Same goes for earthquake regions.
One more thing though. Creaking and growning is ok... Banging is not and is an indication that a roof panel has come away from its fastening and should be corrected immediately.