Concrete Home Engineering and Design for Durability

Concrete – A Non-Combustible Alternative to wood Homes

Historically, concrete has not been used as a traditional method for home construction. However, this type of construction method is becoming quite popular for many home owners, especially in disaster-prone areas. Concrete is used when discussing foundations and/or retaining walls because of the sheer strength, so why not use concrete for the entire home? In addition to using regular concrete, builders are increasingly using insulated concrete forms (ICF) to build disaster-resistant homes.

Concrete homes are more than just strong – they are energy efficient, quiet, pest-proof, and most importantly, very safe. These homes can look just as beautiful as a wood-framed home and they come with added benefits. The strength and wind resistance of concrete homes is the main attraction for homeowners who live in hurricane or tornado zones. They are non-combustible and create a healthier indoor environment, due to the fact that they do not support the growth of mold or mildew. Some concrete homes may qualify for tax credits and require less repair and maintenance.

Concrete vs. Wood

Thermal Performance

Concrete home owners usually can save around 20% annually on heating and cooling costs when compared to traditional wood framed methods. The thermal mass of the walls excels at keeping extreme temperatures out. Concrete, when paired with energy efficient windows and doors, can result in even more savings. These homes are also less drafty because they are sealed so thoroughly.

Noise

Concrete is a very dense and heavy material which will greatly reduce the amount of loud noises penetrating the exterior walls. Even when taking into consideration the noise that will travel through windows and doors, home owners can still expect about a home that is more than 50% quieter than a wood-framed home.

Fire (Non-Combustible)

With the increase in wild fires throughout the United States, home owners are forced to make a stand for the future of homes in these areas. Concrete stands as a leading candidate for safe long lasting homes. Not only does concrete withstand intense flames of over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit for hours, the plastic foams used in ICF construction are treated with fire retardant materials. Insurance companies will also recognize a concrete home as safer than traditional homes, another way that a concrete home will save you money.

Green Construction

It seems that all Home Owners are looking at the “Green” side of construction when making their material decisions. This has caused the research and development in new sustainable materials to skyrocket. Sustainable materials not only create less waste and are healthier for the environment, they also maximize the performance of your home. When a material creates an efficient home, that in turn reduces the amount of energy and natural resources needed to sustain that home. Concrete homes require less energy for heating and cooling, making them energy-efficient, and they conserve resources by reducing the amount of wood products used.

Are you looking to build a custom home?

PSE has in-house designers that can work with you to plan and develop your new home. Whether you are looking for modifications to existing plan sets, or a completely custom home.

Check out some of our custom homes or read about the home design process here – Custom Home Design