If you are in the real estate market to build a new home, I can give you 3 very good reasons your next home should be built with monolithically poured solid concrete exterior walls.

1. Safety

Solid concrete walls are much stronger and are able to withstand much higher windloads than standard CBS or wood framed homes. Whether you live in a hurricane prone area, or a tornado prone area, you and your family can feel much more safe knowing that the walls of your home can withstand up to 250 mph windloads. The reason they can withstand this strength of wind is, these walls are reinforced with, slab to lintel, 5/8" rebar every 4'. If you live in one of these areas mentioned you may even consider having the roof poured of solid concrete as well, however there are methods of engineering roof trusses and decking to withstand 140 mps winds.

Now, by all means, if you are in a situation where you are facing some kind of weather occurance like this, and have the opportunity to evacuate, DO SO! If you don't have the time, you'll be sure to know that in your solid concrete home you are safe.

Solid concrete walls are poured monolithically meaning there are no joints. They are fire resistant and will not bend, melt, or burn. They also offer leak protection when combined with the right waterproofing membrane and paint. This quality also aids in mold and mildew resistance.

2. Durability

This is the same basic method used to build safe rooms in some areas and basements in others. It is a tried and tested fome of safe, durable construction in the event of an emergency. You will also have the peace of mind in knowing that your belongings have a better chance of surviving the storm if your home is built like a fortress. Family pictures and heirlooms are impossible to replace.

3. Energy Efficiency

Your solid concrete walls will be 6" thick typically. So, it doesn't take a genious to figure out that the sheer mass of this wall would help slow the passage of heat or cold through the wall. Therefor with the same R factor insulation, a solid poured concrete constructed home will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, than a wood framed or concrete block home. Concrete construction also offers these same qualities when it comes to sound...they allow about 1/3 of the noise a wood framed wall would allow.

4. Environmentally Friendly

The term "green build" is becoming more and more common in the construction industry. We are all looking for ways to help save our beautiful planet. Building with solid poured concrete you can rest assured that you are using some of the most plentiful resources on the planet! Concrete is made of air, water, portland cement, sand and gravel. Wood on the other hand has a very slow renewal time.

Also, concrete bi-products can be recycled and used in other projects leaving very little waste.