Share of Wood-Framed Homes Dips in 2023
Wood framing remains the most dominant construction method for completed single-family homes in the U.S., according to NAHB analysis of 2023 Census Bureau data. For 2023 completions, 93% of new homes were wood-framed, another 7% were concrete-framed homes, and less than half a percent were steel-framed.
On a count basis, there were 930,000 wood-framed homes completed in 2023. This was a 3% decrease compared to the 2022 total. The wood-framed market share decreased to 93% in 2023, after it increased for three consecutive years from 2019 (90%) to 2022 (94%). As noted above, steel-framed homes are relatively uncommon, with 3,000 housing completions in 2023, the same amount as the 2021 and 2022 completions.
Meanwhile, the concrete-framed market share increased from 6% in 2022 to 7% in 2023. On a count basis, there were 65,000 concrete-framed homes completed in 2023, up 3% from the previous year. This is the first increase after three straight years of declines (down 13% in 2020, 5% in 2021 and 11% in 2022).
Jing Fu, NAHB director of forecasting and analysis, provides more in this Eye on Housing post.
Latest from NAHBNow
PWB Week | Professional Women in Building Council
Sep 17, 2025
Strength in Numbers: The Power of Professional Women in Building CouncilsPWB councils of all sizes are helping reshape the narrative in the home building industry nationwide, merging inspiration and education with recreation and connection.
Economics
Sep 17, 2025
Housing Starts Remain Soft Ahead of Fed MeetingOverall housing starts decreased 8.5% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.31 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Sep 18, 2025
Women in Construction Reach Highest Share in Two DecadesIn 2024, the number of women employed in the construction industry rose to around 1.34 million. Women now represent 11.2% of the construction workforce, the highest share in the past 20 years. This rise aligns with the growing presence of white-collar jobs in the industry.
Economics
Sep 17, 2025
The Fed Cuts and Projects More Easing to ComeAfter a monetary policy pause that began at the start of 2025, the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy committee (FOMC) voted to reduce the short-term federal funds rate by 25 basis points at the conclusion of its September meeting. This move decreased the target federal funds rate to an upper rate of 4.25%.
Economics
Sep 17, 2025
Housing Starts Remain Soft Ahead of Fed MeetingChallenging affordability conditions continue to act as headwinds for the housing industry, but the sector could see lower interest rates in the near future with the Federal Reserve expected to cut short-term interest rates this afternoon.