Concrete Homes for Every Budget
Most consumers who are thinking of building with their own luxury house plans or more traditional colonial house plans have considered concrete construction. Fortunately, this technology is being made available to fit nearly every home budget.
At the Las Vegas Convention Center, "Team Concrete," collaboration between the Portland Concrete Association and Dow Chemical Corporation recently revealed a 1,237 square foot model home that was durable and affordable. The culprit behind this innovation was concrete.
The popularity of concrete homes continues to rise in the United States real estate markets. What was once thought of as something exclusive of high-end homes, "Team Concrete" and other innovators such as Habitat for Humanity have proven otherwise.
The aim of the Las Vegas exhibition was to inform consumer about the benefits of exterior concrete walls. Concrete has received praise in recent year for its energy effectiveness, excellent quality, and affordability. "What many builders think about when they consider a concrete home are the many beautiful luxury homes that have been the hallmark of the industry in recent years," adds Jim Niehoff, residential program manager for the Portland Cement Association (PCA). As a result, the exhibit aims to increase the wide accessibility of concrete homes to all price ranges.
The concrete walls for the home were made horizontally in a controlled site and then moved to the convention center for assembly. Gaps large and small for doors, windows, plumbing, and electricity were selected in advance before assembly in the parking lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center. After the exhibit, the home was given to a family in Henderson, Nevada through Habitat for Humanity.
On the other side of the country, residents in Purser Place, New York, just south of New York City, enjoy the benefits of concrete construction. The 1,800 square foot homes are two story duplexes made of prefabricated concrete. In high-density areas like New York, the peace and solitude of sound concrete walls is just one of many benefits. Homeowners also benefit from the extra insulation afforded by concrete construction that reduces heating and cooling costs significantly. In addition, concrete homes can be built more quickly than home constructed with alternative materials.
From west to east coast to the US territory of Guam, affordable concrete homes can be found. In 1976, after Typhoon Pamela devastated many residents rebuilt with concrete instead of wood. Concrete in Guam is considered by most to be "typhoon proof."
Niehoff remains optimistic about concrete construction in the United States, "Habitat for Humanity likes concrete housing not just because of its durability, quietness and lower insurance rates." He that adds, "They like it because it is energy efficient. Sadly, what some Habitat families discovered once they got into their traditional homes was that they couldn't afford the utility bills. Energy savings takes stress off the family budget, saving as much as 44 percent to heat and 32 percent less energy to cool."
Whether or not you have luxury home plans or small cottage house plans, concrete homes have something to offer a full range to please all future homeowners.
