Benefits for Architects/Engineers
Architects and engineers are discovering the advantages of solid concrete construction as the long-term, quality alternative to typical wood- and steel-framed housing.A solid concrete home can withstand fire, infestation, and forces of nature like tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes significantly better than homes made of other building materials.
A concrete home can also be built in a choice of architectural styles, including contemporary, traditional, one- or two-story, in a single or multi-family home. Once cast, the exterior walls can be covered in any of a wide range of attractive, low-maintenance materials: from stucco to siding to brick or stone.
Check out the rest of these benefits:
- The Strength To Withstand Hurricane/Tornado Force Winds
- In independent tests simulating 250 mile-per-hour ground level wind speeds equal to the strongest hurricanes and tornadoes, steel-reinforced concrete walls substantially outperformed typical wood- and steel-framed walls for: 1) reducing flying debris, the greatest hazard to homeowners during this life-threatening weather; and 2) withstanding collapsing and structure damage. Researchers at the Wind Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University* concluded that walls built with wood or steel studs lack the strength and mass to resist the impact of wind-driven debris, while concrete walls consistently stood up to the test without structure failure.
- The Power to Stand Up to Earthquake Forces
- In a range of strength tests, concrete proved two to four times stronger than the maximum wind load and five to nine times stronger than the maximum earthquake load — bending strength considerably greater than the standards required by the Uniform Building Code.
- The Toughness to Resist Fire
- In countless firewall tests, concrete has proven itsel as one of the most fire- and heat-resistant construction materials. Unlike wood or steel, concrete does not burn, soften, or bend, so concrete structures are more likely to remain standing through a fire.
- No Appeal for Insects and Rot
- Unlike wood framing, concrete is not susceptible to rotting wood or damage by insects like termites that can cost thousands of dollars to treat or repair.
- A Range of Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Design Options
- Architects and engineers are discovering the advantages of solid concrete construction as the long-term, quality alternative to typical wood- and steel-framed housing. A solid concrete home can withstand fire, infestation, and forces of nature like tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes significantly better than homes made of other building material.
* The Texas Tech University Wind Engineering Research Center testing is independent of the Concrete Homes Council.
