Aluminum wire was utilized for wiring complete homes in North American residential construction for a brief period, from the 1960s until the mid-1970s, during a period of high copper pricing. It was initially adopted by some manufacturers as an alternative to steel because it was believed to be less likely to cause a fire. Its advantages were that it was nonconductive and therefore would not melt at heat sources such as light bulbs and radiators, but it also had some disadvantages. Aluminum is a metal and will conduct electricity if you do not treat it properly. If you have any exposed aluminum wires inside your home then these should be protected from damage. The metal can become oxidized or covered with other substances which will increase its conductivity. Damage due to oxidation or contamination can happen over time so be sure to check all your wiring regularly. The use of aluminum wire in residential construction was primarily limited to houses built before 1975. After this date, copper wire was generally used instead. However, some builders continued to use aluminum because it was cheaper than copper. The use of aluminum wire in commercial buildings was much more widespread. These buildings were usually older and could not use copper wire because of previous damage or corrosion problems. In conclusion, aluminum wiring was used in homes between the 1960s and 1975.