Before retiring as a professor of engineering at Cal Poly, I worked on a project in which we looked at materials, design, manufacturing, and construction costs of steel-framed vs. wood-framed structures. At the time of our efforts (circa 2001), the cost to frame in steel was about $1 per square foot more than traditional wood framing.

What did the owners get for their dollar? It turns out that they got a home or other structure that didn’t warp, rot, or become infested with termites; was electrically safer by providing frame grounding throughout, built of a material that was easily recyclable, and was virtually fireproof.

If we combine what we now know about steel framing with our local Hispanic heritage (white stucco walls and tile roofs) we come up with a way to build that may scorch and singe, but is essentially impossible to burn. Craftsman style and lots of external wood may look great architecturally, but these materials are simply a ticking fire bomb in Southern California.

As a Santa Barbara native, I have seen many wildfires burn in, around, and through our community. I always hope that each time it happens, we will learn how to prevent the tragic results of building unnecessarily flammable homes. Perhaps at least some of those re-building will now know that, for a minimal additional cost, they could re-build it right? — Mark A. Cooper, Ventura

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