While a concrete home may not sound as common as some other home building materials, they are one of the better options that more and more homeowners are going with year after year. There is a lot to love about these homes, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their fair share of drawbacks. Read on if you want to learn the pros and cons you should consider with concrete houses.
What Is a Concrete Home?
To further probe the pros and cons of a concrete home, it’s important to know what exactly a concrete home is and what separates it from other home building methods. Thomas Edison started concrete homes around 1908. The appeal behind these homes was that they cost relatively little to build and rent. The homes didn’t take off immediately, but slowly over time, architects refined the techniques, the building materials were better, and soon, people built many of the concrete homes you see today.
Concrete homes are commonplace throughout the world, and they’ve slowly gained more popularity in the US as more people recognize the utility of these homes and push against the stereotypes. When many people first hear “concrete house,” they imagine something akin to living in a cave, something inhospitable and scary. In reality, these homes look like any other houses. They are constructed from different materials, but you can finish them to look like whatever home you want. The same goes for the inside as well.
There are also a few different ways to make concrete homes, such as:
- Concrete masonry units (CMU) homes
- Form poured homes
- Insulated concrete form (ICF) homes
- Precast panel homes
Each one of these constructs the home differently. While there are some differences between them, they all generally share the same pros and cons. So, what exactly makes these homes different from every other home?
Pro – Durability
One of the most notable positives of concrete homes is their durability. It makes sense when you remember that they’re concrete, not wood. These homes are built to last and can withstand harsh weather elements that would be disastrous for other homes. Concrete is noncombustible, meaning it is fireproof and can stand up to temperatures even as high as 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit for a few hours without any structural failure. These homes are also great in all kinds of wind conditions, meaning that they have a better ability to withstand high winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes. They are also termite resistant, too.
Con - Labor
One con that comes with concrete homes is that only some people have the tools and know-how to make them. Many building companies want to build concrete homes, but they often don’t have the resources to implement construction. It mostly depends on the area you’re in. If you’re in a more urban area, some groups will likely know how to make a concrete home. However, if you’re in a more rural area, you may struggle to find builders that know how to build concrete houses.
Con – Cost
To build concrete homes, you need workers with a very specific skill set. This comes with increased costs. Concrete homes are generally a little more expensive than your traditional home, and that’s because of the following:
- Labor
- Material costs
- Transportation costs
- Market competition
All these factors compounded can result in a project that feels too expensive. However, when you look at the long-term benefits, you realize that you may actually save money with your home.
Pro – Energy-Efficiency
As mentioned in the last point, the costs to make the home may be a little higher than you initially want, but you save money in the end. You may have high initial costs, but these homes are incredibly energy-efficient, meaning you’ll spend a lot less money on heating and cooling over time.
Concrete is a heavily insulated material, meaning it is great at storing both heat in the colder months and staying cold in the warmer months. Because of this, you’ll need to spend much less on these bills. Concrete is also solid, meaning that you won’t have drafts breaking into your sanctuary and forcing you to turn up the heat even higher than you already have.
Pro - Customization
Many homeowners don’t like the look of traditional concrete homes, and thankfully, there are options in place for them. You can go with the traditional concrete aesthetic, but many other customization options make it possible for your concrete home to look like anyone else’s home. With a concrete home, you can have the concrete walls and foundation, then layer other decorative elements, such as lap siding and trim, to make it look like a traditional home.
Additionally, there are ways to pour the concrete and build the home to look exactly like any other home. Depending on the architects/designers you work with, you can have the concrete poured or fit in such a way that it looks exactly like traditional siding, but it’s all concrete! These customization options are great for homeowners who love the benefits of a concrete home but are wary of their aesthetic. There are no limits to what you can do with a concrete home plan!
Pro - Green/Sustainable
Concrete is one of the most green/sustainable materials because of its abundance. Because of this, many concrete homes are greener than other building materials because they are energy efficient, long lasting, and strong. When you take a step back, these homes also conserve a lot of resources and require a small amount of water and other natural resources to construct.
If you’re in the market for a new home, you should consider the pros and cons of concrete houses. They’re a great home choice, but you should be aware of everything that comes with a concrete home. If they sound like the right choice for you, work with us at Sater Design Collection. We have multiple concrete house plans that would be the perfect start for your new home! Our employees are excited and ready to take on new projects. Call use to get started.
