NOT JUST FOR SIDEWALKS: THE SURPRISING APPEAL OF CONCRETE HOMES
When most people think of concrete, the first things that come to mind are sidewalks, foundations, and parking ramps. While it’s true that concrete is often the material of choice for many utilitarian construction projects due to the fact that it’s durable and when it does need to be replaced, it’s quite easy to remove through companies like Buxton Water. But, did you know that it’s also highly practical for use in building homes? Concrete homes offer many benefits, not only to the homeowner, but also to the environment.
Houses with concrete walls are sturdy and safe. Unlike a traditional wood-framed house, there is no chance of damage from termites, dry rot, or fire. However, your garden may be suceptible to subterranean termites and your house to other pests like cockroaches. It is important to have a termite control Los Angeles firm in mind if any pests do enter your property. You will have piece at mind though, knowing your concret property won’t be susceptible to drywood termites! Another positive to concrete built homes os that they are also very durable, and can last for decades with very little maintenance. Concrete homes provide excellent protection from natural disasters, and are much less likely to be destroyed in the event of a tornado (an important consideration in Midwestern America).
In situations such as this, having a concrete home could provide you with the relevant safety precautions that you didn’t know that you would need. But did you know that there is a lot of hard work that goes into the concrete pouring process before you can start to feel the benefits that it can bring? If you are thinking about building your own home or making some renovations to your current property, it may be in your best interest to contact professionals who will be able to carry out this process for you. Having a concrete home can bring more advantages than you may think.
Concrete homes are also very energy efficient and environmentally friendly. According to some sources, the annual energy cost of a concrete home is between 40 and 60% less than traditionally-built houses. They generally also carry a lower insurance premium than traditional houses, which contributes to a lower monthly operating cost for the homeowner. And according to the National Association of Homebuilders, “concrete products are made with a combination of recycled products and some of the most abundant materials on earth,” which makes concrete a renewable source of building material.
And before you assume that a home made of concrete would resemble a fallout shelter, think again! According to the NAHB, “homes built with exterior concrete walls can accept any type of exterior finish including brick, stone, siding or stucco. A finished concrete home is indistinguishable from any other home in the neighborhood”. If you are interested in getting siding added to your house then you could take a look at someone like this Siding Company Marietta to give you a better idea of what else is on offer.
While concrete houses are less common in the US than they are in other parts of the world, we hope that homeowners here in the States will start to see the merits of building houses made of concrete. What do you think? Would you live in a concrete house? Why or why not? We here at Concrete Science would love to hear your opinions!