#Concrete block home plans windows

The price of concrete fluctuates, but often architects and builders will have to deal with a higher initial cost when choosing concrete over some other building materials. These are some of the disadvantages of concrete homes. Of course designing and building a concrete home has its cons, too, from extra dollars upfront to finding the right team to build the house.

The foam on the outside delivers a large cushioning effect, too. The steel reinforced concrete inside that wall provides structural stability, even from large debris. Houses built using concrete masonry can withstand extreme events, whether that’s an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, fire, or other extreme event, the NCMA says.Ĭoncrete homes keep occupants safe from high winds, as an ICF wall at a minimum can withstand 150 mile per hour winds. The high thermal mass of the concrete also buffers the home’s interior from extreme outdoor temperatures, while the continuous layer of foam insulation minimizes temperature fluctuations inside the home by eliminating the cold spots that can occur in frame walls along the studs or at gaps in the insulation, according to the Concrete Network. The foam-and-concrete barrier cuts air infiltration by as much as 75% when compared with a typical frame house. Occupant ComfortĬoncrete homes are also typically less drafty than other types of construction, as they block out the wind. It can also be an effective sound absorption material for absorbing noise generated within a room. The NCMA points to how concrete acts as a barrier by diffusing incident noise over a wide range of frequencies. Living in a concrete home typically means living with less noise seeping in from outside.Ĭoncrete masonry is an ideal noise control material, according to the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA).

#Concrete block home plans windows

The Concrete Network reports that those savings depend in part on the energy efficiency of a project’s windows and doors as well as the area’s climate. Thanks in large part to the insulating power of ICFs, homeowners can expect to save 20 to 25% in annual heating and cooling costs versus standard stick-built homes, according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

These are some of the top advantages of concrete homes. The advantages of concrete homes are many-from saving dollars to having better control of sound. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Homesĭesigning and building a concrete home comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, of course, and can vary widely depending on the look architects are after and the materials they have available. And concrete will play an essential role in creating the homes and infrastructure of the future,” he said in a previous gb&d article. “Three-quarters of the infrastructure that the world needs by 2050 has yet to be built. But then they also incorporate insulated concrete forms (ICFs)-stacked and braced before concrete is poured inside the forms, according to the Concrete Network.Ĭoncrete homes can help to reduce heating and cooling costs and also stand up to strong storms or even hurricanes and tornadoes.Īdequate housing is in dire need, too, according to Thomas Guillott, chief executive at the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA). What is a Concrete Home?Ĭoncrete homes often look just like stick-built homes-or those houses built with a wood frame that supports plywood and other building materials. We’ve detailed some of our favorite ways concrete is being used in design, from unexpected concrete homes to incredibly energy-efficient homes. But while concrete has long had a place in residential construction, some architects are using concrete in surprising ways-playing with color and adding texture, for example.

Building with insulated concrete forms can improve occupant comfort and safety.Ĭoncrete homes are nothing new they’re loved for their durability and longevity as well as cost-effectiveness in design.

One architect turns to exposed concrete for its integrity as an “honest” material.

Using concrete for your home design can reduce heating and cooling costs.