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
Energy | Advocacy
Sep 16, 2025
Kansas City Builder Testifies Against Energy Code MandatesThe Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (KCHBA) called on Congress today to oppose energy code mandates that raise the cost of housing and do very little to increase energy efficiency for home owners.
Economics
Sep 16, 2025
Builder Confidence Steady but Future Sales Expectations Hit Six-Month HighBuilder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 32 in September, unchanged from the August reading, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. While builder sentiment has hovered at a relatively low reading between 32 and 34 since May, builders expressed optimism that a more favorable interest rate climate could bring hesitant buyers off the sidelines in the final quarter of 2025.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Sep 16, 2025
Builder Confidence Steady but Future Sales Expectations Hit Six-Month HighBuilder sentiment levels remained unchanged in September but lower mortgage rates and expectations that the Federal Reserve will soon cut the federal funds rate led to higher future sale expectations in the coming months.
Economics
Sep 15, 2025
Shelter Inflation Continued to CoolInflation accelerated to a seven month high in August as tariff-related costs continued to pass through to consumers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) latest report. Core goods prices, which exclude volatile food and energy, rose by 1.5% in August, the fastest annual pace since May 2023.
Economics
Sep 15, 2025
Builders Stay Cautious as Single-Family Permits Extend DowntrendSingle-family housing permits slipped for the seventh month in a row, highlighting affordability headwinds and weak demand. While multifamily permits ticked up, the sector’s volatility leaves the outlook uncertain. The split underscores a housing market still under strain, with single-family softness weighing on broader growth prospects.