WHY CONCRETE

CONCRETE HOMES

Historically, concrete used to have fairly poor green credibility due largely to it’s high levels of embodied energy and in part for the potential of lime run off into our waterways. More recently, Architects and engineers are taking a more holistic view and now recognise that life cycle cost is perhaps a more accurate measure of a buildings’ impact on the natural environment. There are few materials that can compete with concrete in this regard. At Concrete Homes we’re determined to challenge opinions and showcase the benefits of concrete.

WHY CONCRETE?

Concrete is one of the world’s most versatile construction materials and has over the years been the architect’s material of choice in the commercial sector. The residential market is now demanding higher performance from their buildings. A natural choice is the use of concrete.

There are several fundamental reasons why to build with concrete:

CONCRETE HOMES HAVE HIGH STRENGTH, ARE DURABLE, STABLE AND DO NOT ROT.

CONCRETE PROVIDES THE BEST FIRE RESISTANCE OF ANY BUILDING MATERIAL. IT DOES NOT BURN NOR EMIT TOXIC FUMES AND SMOKE.

CONCRETE DOES NOT READILY TRANSMIT SOUND – HOMES ARE QUIETER AND HAVE A FEELING OF PERMANENCE ABOUT THEM.

CONCRETE HOMES ARE TEMPERATURE STABLE AND BENEFIT FROM HIGH THERMAL MASS.

CONCRETE HOMES ARE MORE ATTRACTIVE TO A HUMAN ENVIRONMENT AND LESS ATTRACTIVE TO INSECTS / PESTS.

CONCRETE HOMES HAVE A HIGHER RESALE VALUE.

CONCRETE HOMES ARE MORE ECONOMICAL TO HEAT AND COOL. THEY REMAIN COOL IN THE SUMMER AND WARM IN WINTER.

CONCRETE DOES NOT WARP OR TWIST LIKE TIMBER.

CONCRETE HOMES HAVE A LONGER LIFE EXPECTANCY THAN TIMBER FRAME BUILDINGS.

CONCRETE HOMES ARE FUNDAMENTALLY EASIER TO MAINTAIN AND HAVE A LOWER LIFE CYCLE COST.

CONCRETE IS IN TUNE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND IS RECYCLABLE.

CONCRETE IS VERSATILE AND OFFERS MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH FLOOR PLANS AND DESIGN.

WITH CONSIDERED DESIGN, CONCRETE CAN BE COMPETITIVELY PRICED.

THE ABOVE FACTORS ARE BEING RECOGNISED BY VARIOUS INSURANCE COMPANIES AND SHOULD LEAD TO REDUCED PREMIUMS.

AREN’T THEY COLD?

A common misconception is that concrete houses are cold, this could not be further from the truth. Concrete has a very high thermal mass which helps buildings stay temperature stable. i.e. they naturally find the average temperature over a 24 hour period. This is particularly suited to Northland’s temperate climate and means our buildings remain warm in winter yet stay cool in summer.

WHAT ABOUT HEATING MY HOME IN THE WINTER?

Concretes’ thermal mass responds well to solar gains. We encourage all our designs to maximise the solar gain of each particular house site, the effect being to shorten the winter heating season.