Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Homebuilding construction methods continue to evolve, influenced by regional requirements, material availability and market demand. Based on an analysis of 2025 Census Bureau data by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), wood framing remains the dominant framing material for new single-family home completions, while alternative options like concrete and steel frame construction serve specific regional and structural needs. Discover where different structural materials are being used and how to target your contractor and homebuilding customers.
Wood Framing
- Wood framing accounted for 94% of all completed single-family homes in 2025
- Approximately 947,000 wood-framed homes were completed in 2025, a 1% decrease from 2024
Steel Framing
- Steel-framed homes remained relatively rare in 2025, comprising half a percent of the market
- About 5,000 steel-framed homes were completed in 2025, up 25% from 2024
Concrete Framing
- Concrete-framed homes represented 5% of completions in 2025, but the number of concrete-framed homes completed fell to approximately 53,000, down 4% from 2024
- Non-wood-based framing methods are primarily concentrated in the South due to residential resiliency requirements
- In 2025, concrete-framed homes made up 9% of all single-family home completions in the South
- About 60% of all steel-framed homes completed in 2025 were built in the South
