What They Are: These are hollow foam forms that crews stack into the shape of the exterior walls of a home. The foam acts as insulation, as they build the walls, reinforcing steel bars are snapped in place. They then pour concrete inside, creating a foam-concrete sandwich.

Advantages: The method builds durable houses, and the forms are easier to handle than concrete blocks. The steel bars offer extra stability. The result is a house that is exceptionally strong, energy efficient, quiet, comfortable, and durable that can be built in any style.

Disadvantages: It can be more expensive than traditional stick building, and it's crucial to hire a builder who has experience working with ICFs. Many local building departments do not recognize this type of construction as “typical” and will often hold a home to commercial standards. Whatever products you use you will need to receive the ICBO or UL listing to be a viable product to use in certain jurisdictions. The other major disadvantage is that the electrical is gouged into the foam in conduit as well as any plumbing in the walls. You would normally stucco the exterior and plaster the interior. These products work best on slab on grade foundations. The costs are higher overall.

What They Are: Fiberglass panels are made from insulating foam sandwiched between two layers of structural material.

Advantages: Walls can be erected quickly, usually within hours, compared with about two weeks for traditional stick (lumber) framing. The panels are lightweight and are already filled with insulation when they arrive on the site. Since the insulation is installed in a controlled environment and is measured to fit precisely, the house is likely to be more airtight than a conventionally built home -- an energy-efficiency plus.

Disadvantages: This method can also be more expensive than stick building. And a builder needs to be well versed in the process to make sure the panels fit together precisely. . Many local building departments do not recognize this type of construction as “typical” and will often hold a home to commercial standards. Whatever products you use you will need to receive the ICBO or UL listing to be a viable product to use in certain jurisdictions. The other major disadvantage is that the electrical is gouged into the foam in conduit as well as any plumbing in the walls. Cost is not quite as expensive as other alternate methods and labor on wall erection is greatly reduced.

What It Is: Homes are built in-factory, then collapsed and taken to the home site and erected with cranes. Though mobile homes are most often associated with this type of construction, the market has grown to include homes that very closely resemble conventionally built structures.

Advantages: Once the homes are transported to the site, cranes can erect the walls within hours. Today's modular homes can also be custom-designed to include such features as tray ceilings, coffered beams, and spiral staircases. Like SIPs, modular homes are built to precise specifications in a controlled environment so they are more likely to be airtight than a stick-built house. When placed on a conventional foundation of any type the resale is almost as strong as conventional framed homes.

What It Is: Houses are framed with light-gauge steel studs instead of lumber.

Advantages: The method supports heavier loads and provides longer-lasting frame construction. Steel framing is dimensionally stable and eliminates most drywall cracking. As is the case with other nontraditional exterior materials, houses framed with steel can be finished with any exterior material.

Disadvantages: Some builders mistakenly assume that if they're able to build stick houses, they can build steel homes. Although steel framing is similar to traditional or stick framing in the construction process, the construction materials are vastly different, and builders need training to use them correctly. The other great advantage of metal framing is all studs have predrilled holes to allow easy routing of electrical and plumbing. The only drawback is the need to use screws on finish trim and other wood products. You need to block and back a little more than normal when in areas such as cabinets and fixtures.

What They Are: These insulating and lightweight blocks are made from concrete mixed with chemicals and sometimes Styrofoam that cause it to rise like dough in an oven. The mixture is pressure-cooked until its mass is about 80 percent air. These blocks are lightweight and easy to use. These blocks are stacked like cinderblock. The centers are hollow and allow rebar to be used along with concrete being poured to fill the hollows. One of my favorite brands in this product type is “Rastra”

Advantages: It's virtually as strong as concrete, but lightweight and easy to handle during building. It's time-tested in Europe, where it's been a popular construction method for decades.

Disadvantages: It's expensive -- about 20 percent more than traditional building methods. Many local building departments do not recognize this type of construction as “typical” and will often hold a home to commercial standards. Whatever products you use you will need to receive the ICBO or UL listing to be a viable product to use in certain jurisdictions. The other major disadvantage is that the electrical is gouged into the foam in conduit as well as any plumbing in the walls. You would normally stucco the exterior and plaster the interior. These products work best on slab on grade foundations. The costs are higher overall.

What It Is: Thin layers of wood are glued together, and then micro cured to form large, solid planks and beams. This line of products spans greater spans and comes in longer lengths than conventional wood. “Truss Joist” products are my personal favorites. They manufacture truss joists as well as para lams, glu lams and any other engineered product you may need.

Advantages: The method offers more dimensional stability than conventional lumber. This line of products spans greater spans and comes in longer lengths than conventional wood.

Disadvantages: It can cost more than stick building. Early engineered-wood products raised health concerns because of out gassing problems; however, microwave curing has essentially eliminated those.