1) asbestos wasn't really used widely for insulation in the normal sense of that word. 2) in the right climate, tar shingles are actually extremely effective as a roofing solution. 3) the US does not have large supplies of bricks, and many areas do not have easy access to stone suitable for building (which is also extremely expensive in terms of labor). Hence wooden frame construction. 4) fiber board, when properly isolated from the weather, is an extremely durable and strong material. it is unfortunate that it tends to require environmentally unfriendly resins to manufacture. 5) there is a LOT of poor construction in the USA, but picking on particular techniques isn't the way to describe the problems. 6) there are many cheap houses in the USA that have much better energy efficiency than classic old houses across Europe, specifically because they use wood frame construction and moderate levels of insulation and air sealing.