4 Oldest Wooden Buildings in Chicago

The oldest buildings in Chicago may be difficult to find. There are many buildings from the 1800s located around Chicago. However, here are four of the oldest buildings in Chicago:

The Pickwick Stable – This building was once known as a horse stable and was built in 1857. This building is flanked by many other larger buildings. The pick wick stable is a three-story brick building located in a small alley.
The Berghoff buildings – There are three buildings that is now home to the Berghoff restaurant which was constructed in 1872. This was just a year after the great Chicago fire destroyed most of the loop.
The Haskell, Barker and Atwater buildings – These three buildings were built between 1875 and 1877. They are most famously known for their association with the Chicago architect Louis Sullivan.
The Delaware building – This building was constructed in 1872 and is a real time capsule. It used to be situated near the McCarthy building however that building was demolished.

Energy crisis can be solved with wooden buildings

The global energy demand is being driven higher by urbanization and the rapid growth in population. One of the greatest challenges of the 21st century is to keep up with the demands for energy. Buildings are continuously being built to make room for the growing population however the lifespan of the buildings is known as one of the most energy intense process around the globe. Buildings, building material and components used for building use up about 40% of the global demand on energy. There are many reasons that energy is needed to build and maintain buildings and one of the most prevalent come from fabrication of cement which is the basic ingredient for concrete. The cement industry is one of the larger contributors of population and it accounts for 5% of carbon dioxide emissions alone.

Wood buildings

Romans perfected concrete and many of the buildings that they constructed still stand today, even though they were built hundreds of years ago. Wood is lightweight and strong, and it has excellent insulation properties. Most of the time they do not require additional materials and resources. Concrete on the other hand is not a good insulator and does require more materials and resources to let it insulate better. Concrete is more expensive however regarding larger buildings, steel and concrete are the preferred materials. As the weather systems deteriorate, it is becoming more important to reduce greenhouse gases. Wood buildings can also be more visually pleasing and when it is harvested properly, it is considered as a renewable resource.

Beware

Wood needs special treatment otherwise it can be flammable, especially when dealing with larger constructions. Wood can also become discoloured easier and is more susceptible to mold and rot. However, with proper regular treatment, wood damage can be minimized. Wood that is manufactured is more resistant to heat and damage as the charring effect of the material in bulk, protects the wood.

Benefits of wood

Wood stores carbon – it has the unique ability to store carbon dioxide. when trees are harvested and they are used to make wood products, carbon will remain inn the wood for the life of the product that is made. Roughly 50% of the dry weight found in wood is carbon.
Wood is renewable – If you get the right wood, you will find that it is renewable. Forests often regrow to provide many benefits such as generating carbon and forest habitat.
The right wood will produce less carbon – The production of wood and getting it ready to use, uses less energy which is known as embodied energy.
Wood is good for well-being – Research has found that the increased use of wood has physiological benefits. Workers are less stressed and are know as more productive. People are overall happier and calmer in spaces containing natural elements like wood.

Wood buildings are beneficial to society and our well-being. Buildings from the 1800s are still in good condition today, which shows how durable the material is.

Apex Window Werks is located in Elk Grove and specializes in wood window and door repairs, glass repairs and defogging. The company has 8 years of experience in this field and have serviced the entire Chicagoland region. Apex has branches in New York, Ohio and Wisconsin. They use cutting edge technology for the restoration of foggy glass that may be affected by broken seals. We also specialise in patio door repair, thermal pane window repair, historic window restoration and storefront glass replacement. Our clients include Marc Realty, Lincoln Park Zoo and Heil and Heil Insurance.

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