It can be easy to think of concrete houses as ugly, unstylish grey blocks with windows, but nowadays, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Changes in styles and methods have meant that concrete homes are becoming an increasingly popular choice, and are often considered for any home building project.
Constructed using a variety of methods – such as with foam-insulated concrete forms, cast-in-place or sprayed-on concrete – concrete homes often look just as attractive as wood frame houses, and when constructed by a skilled builder, they’re an incredibly tough, and durable alternative to traditional wood framed homes. Below are just some of the reasons why a concrete home could be a truly solid investment:
They are strong!
For any American living in a hurricane and tornado zone, or an area prone to extreme weather conditions such as storm force winds, having a home made from concrete is a must. The average home made from concrete can withstand 250-mil-an-hour winds and stand up to windborne debris, whereas a traditional wood frame house could quite literally be blown away.
If you’re looking for a strong home that will protect you and your family no matter what the weather, one made from concrete will definitely do the job, and some!
Concrete homes are energy efficient
This can be a real selling point for modern U.S. homebuyers seeking to save money on their energy bills, and reduce their carbon footprint. With energy prices rising, the thermal mass of concrete walls and the tight seals at the joints, could help homeowners keep their air-conditioned air in, and extreme temperatures out.
They keep noise out
Concrete walls are thick and are great for reducing any outside noise.
Concrete is super durable
A home made from concrete can have a building life expectancy of many years, even centuries, and without the insects and rot that traditional timber homes experience, your concrete home could still be standing when you’re long gone!
They are resistant to fire
Concrete won’t burn, so if your home catches fire, its concrete structure will stop the fire from spreading.
Concrete homes are greener
Not literally, of course, although what color you paint your concrete home is entirely up to you! Requiring less energy for heating and cooling, concrete homes also save resources by using fewer wood products, as lumber is usually only for the interior framework.
Also, concrete homes can provide their inhabitants with less air-borne allergens, molds and contaminants than the majority of frame houses, and tend to have cleaner indoor air.
So, if you’re thinking of having your own home built with the help of a local general contractor, or are seeking to buy a property that will stand the test of time, a concrete home is a solid investment in more ways than one.