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Questions & Answers
(click on the question links below for the answers)
Question: Why solid concrete walls?
Answer:
Concrete walls come in two types; ICF’s and Poured Concrete.
ICF’s (insulated concrete forms): are basically large hollow
lightweight block of Styrofoam, similar in appearance to oversized
concrete blocks. The blocks are stacked on the building foundation in
the shape of walls, reinforcing is installed, and concrete is pumped in
the hollow cavity. The resulting walls consist of the Styrofoam exterior
and interior faces and solid reinforced concrete core. ICF’s provide a
strong wall system and good insulation via the interior and exterior
Styrofoam faces.
Solid Poured-in-Place Concrete walls: (we recommend over ICF’s) are just that;
solid (typically) 6 inch thick reinforced concrete walls. They are
constructed by erecting reinforcing rods at the wall locations, setting
removable forms, pouring concrete in the forms, then removing the forms
to leave a solid concrete wall. The advantages of this type of wall over
all others are:
1. Concrete walled homes are Stronger and substantially more resistant to high winds than any other wall system. The use of concrete walls in home construction has been popular for years in States like Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma where a constant threat of tornadoes exists. With the recent rash of hurricanes in Florida, the substantial advantages of concrete walls for home construction have become obvious; Studies performed at the Wind Engineering Research Center, Texas Tech University, tested the impact resistance of residential concrete wall construction to hurricane damage. Solid concrete wall resistance was compared to that of conventionally framed walls. To simulate flying debris in a hurricane, a wooden 2"x 4" stud was shot from a cannon into wood-framed, steel-framed and solid concrete walls, built to residential standards. Test results showed that only the solid concrete wall completely prevented any penetration from the stud, which traveled at 109 MPH. It would take a hurricane with a wind speed of 250 MPH, (far in excess of any recorded hurricane to hit the U.S.) to cause a 9 pound stud to travel at that speed. On the other hand, the 2"X4" "missile", completely penetrated the walls which were framed with wood and steel, at much lower speeds. Solid Concrete Walls are also significantly stronger and more wind resistant than hollow Concrete Block homes ( Solid Concrete Walls Vs. Hollow Concrete Block). Your family's safety is reason alone to build your home with solid Concrete walls. Don't be fooled by other types of concrete construction, such as: hollow concrete block, pre-formed and pre-cast concrete panels… these are NOT the same as our two preferred wall construction methods; Poured-in-Place, Steel & Fiber-Mesh Reinforced, 6" thick Solid Concrete Walls or 8" thick Concrete-Filled Steel & Fiber-Mesh Reinforced Block. (Wall construction method will be determined based on availability of sub-contractors in region)
2. Concrete
walls are substantially more energy efficient than other wall systems:
Solid concrete has a natural “Thermal Mass” quality. This allows the
wall to absorb the heat of the sun during the day and release that heat
during the night. This allows your air conditioning equipment to work
less, and operate more consistently by balancing you home’s heat load
more evenly during a 24 hour period.
3. Concrete
is Fire Resistant:
Solid concrete resists fires better than wood, or steel, and provides a
more durable fire barrier than concrete block. Recent
"fire-wall" tests
have shown concrete walls to withstand a continuous constant temperature
of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 hours without structural
failure. During the test, flames never passed through the walls of the
concrete structure to the “cool” side of the wall. In contrast, walls
constructed of wood typically collapsed in less than 1 hour. Concrete
walls provide added safety and protection for your family and your
possessions in the event of a fire.
4. Concrete
Provides Better Protection Against Termites and other pests
that are prone to infesting wood-framed houses. Termites thrive in hot,
humid climates – the very climate found in Florida.
5. Solid
Concrete Keep The Noise Out:
Given their greater mass, concrete walls help reduce external noise
pollution. With less outside distractions, you’ll get a better night
sleep as well as enjoy more peace and quiet during the day.
6. Concrete
is a “Green” product:
made of natural & recycled ingredients, thus conserving our natural
resources (i.e. trees). In addition, there isn’t any scrap wood, wasted
byproducts, or debris left at the construction site and the concrete
forms are re-used thousands of times during their life span.
7. Solid
Concrete Walls Add Value To Your Home:
If and when you decide to sell, solid concrete construction
increases your home’s re-sale value. It will be as appealing to the new
owner as it was to you. Greater selling appeal means a quicker closing
and more money in your pocket.
8.
Peace of Mind:
You can’t put a price on having “Peace of Mind”. For the reasons above,
your solid concrete home will give you just that for many years. At
Cogdill Builders of Florida, you get that and more, for NO EXTRA CHARGE!
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