[JohnFen]

> Structurally, it feels like North American houses have been built the same way since the colonies started (sidings, frames/studs, gabled/shingled roofs).

In the US, this depends a lot on where you are (at least for older buildings). Buildings tended to be built from whatever materials were in the area, so you get lots of brick in the midwest, lots of woodframe in the west, etc. What primary material was used has a pretty large effect on the style of the building.

[byw]

I'm not sure about other parts of the East Coast, but when I was in Toronto, while the older houses are bricks, many newer ones are wood-framed with a brick facade. What surprised me was that many owners had no idea, especially if they bought second-hand.