Concrete Construction Online Magazine: Features

Concrete Furniture

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:41 EST

The world of decorative concrete keeps expanding, even into the realm of furniture. On first blush it doesn't seem that using concrete to make furniture is a good thing to do. It's brittle, it cracks, it has little tensile strength, and it's much heavier than wood. Even so, all around the country artists and decorative contractors produce exciting pieces of furniture. Precast concrete naturally lends itself to this kind of work but there are contractors casting furniture in place as well.

Promoting Concrete Homes

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:47 EST

Building homes with abovegrade concrete walls is one of the fastest-growing methods of residential construction in the United States. Barely on the radar in the early 1990s, concrete homes now command an estimated 15% of the abovegrade single-family residential market as of 2006. Some of the available concrete systems include concrete masonry, insulating concrete forms (ICFs), removable concrete forms (RCFs), precast concrete panels, and autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks or panels.

How to Build an Affordable Concrete Home

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:45 EST

Custom-built homes are commonly gracing glossy magazine covers. That's because people in the U.S. have been in love with the idea of owning a large elegant home. For architects and designers, there is more opportunity to present interesting ideas and work with unusual concepts. But with the decline in the residential housing industry over the past year, large custom home building followed suit, as well as the affordable home building industry. However, there is greater interest today in concrete home construction in the more affordable price range on the part of a number of builders. This attention is largely focusing on sustainability, green building, disaster resistance, energy conservation, and safety.

Promoting Concrete Homes: Part 2

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:35 EST

In order to effectively promote concrete homebuilding, it's necessary to have an understanding of the many advantages of a concrete house. It's well documented that concrete walls can increase the energy efficiency of a home. Some studies have shown that a structure with concrete and foam walls can reduce heating and cooling bills significantly. Using structural concrete and foam floor systems, upgraded attic insulation, and energy-efficient doors and windows can enhance this effect. The energy efficiency of a concrete home often means that HVAC systems can be downsized. A number of software programs are available to assist HVAC contractors with properly sizing equipment to take this into account.

Epoxies and Other Options

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 03:47:20 EST

“There is a growing high-end garage floor market for epoxies,” says Tim Goote, owner, Acme Epoxy Flooring, Grand Rapids, Mich. “It's easy to clean, seamless, and people love to look at it.”

Garage Floor Coatings Pickup Speed

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 03:47:13 EST

The trend to upgrade your garage floor is gaining popularity. This additional space accommodates entertainment areas, second kitchens, and workshops, and homeowners understand that this existing square footage can be the least expensive expansion to their home. Decorative finishes, such as vinyl color flake, quartz aggregates, and embedded images, are being sealed with epoxy coatings, acrylic sealers, and now polyaspartic polyurea floor coatings.

Insulating Concrete Forms

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:15 EST

As the conclusion to the first decade of the 21st century approaches, builders are making the move to insulating concrete forms (ICFs) in custom-build projects, incorporating them in a variety of applications and design.

Five Who are Influencing the Concrete Home Building Industry

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:12 EST

For the first time, Residential Concrete is writing about people who are making a difference in the concrete housing industry. Through their efforts they are improving the way concrete is used in residential construction and the way consumers are being taught about the values and benefits of concrete. This is at a time when sustainability and building green have suddenly become a national priority. The following individuals have been critical to this movement.

Building the Wright Way

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:05 EST

In 1950 the Chahroud's asked Frank Lloyd Wright to design a house for them on their newly acquired island in Lake Mahopac, N.Y. Their instruction to him was to "design the house of his dreams" and there is indication that Wright did just that.

Concrete Sinks

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:23 EST

The finishing and aesthetics of concrete sinks require precision and knowledge of concrete mixes, mold making, and integrating hardware.

Proper Subgrade Prep

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:28 EST

When it comes to compacting a subgrade for a residential application, consistency, quality, and good practice by the contractor are critical to prevent concrete cracking and sinking concerns for the homeowner.

Building Concrete Home Developments

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:20 EST

When work is plentiful, companies stick to traditional wood-building methods because they are familiar with it and have relationships with the trades who build that way. During slow times, companies get more creative--this is bringing about a higher level of interest in concrete home developments.

Interior Concrete Walls

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:29:27 EST

Concrete is a diverse structural and design element for modern home building. In the past 10 years the Arts and Crafts movement has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity, and is being used in the design of concrete elements inside of homes. Contractors and architects have been able to take the comfort, warmth, and fine craftsmanship shown in the simple, clean lines of this style and apply it to concrete walls. In some cases, the contractors are even incorporating more creative methods, such as leaving exposed beams, nail holes or luminous effects, in order to balance a natural concrete look indoors and out.

Quality Control of Concrete for Residential Applications

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:29:32 EST

Dave Shepard, director of sustainable development for the Portland Cement Association (PCA), shares his insight on how to get better quality residential concrete.

ICFs for Multifamily Construction

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:29:24 EST

There was a time when insulating concrete forms (ICFs) were thought of as appropriate only for basement walls. Today, they are used successfully in the construction of everything from an 11-story condominium, in Ft. Myers, Fla., to a Bed Bath & Beyond store in Apple Valley, Minn.

ICFS: Out of the Underground

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:29:25 EST

Three short years from now, concrete building systems will account for 25% of above-grade structural walls in single-family homes in the United States, according to predictions by the Portland Cement Association (PCA).

Decorative Concrete Goes Downstairs

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:29:54 EST

The basement is no longer a place to store Aunt Ida's old furniture.

Building a Safe House

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:29:53 EST

When the Joseph Corp., Aurora, Ill.—a nonprofit organization that helps people with limited means find housing—was demolishing some homes that were too run down, it was suggested that they build a concrete home.

Resisting Wind and Seismic Forces

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:30:00 EST

If global warming predictions for weather come true, there will be a greater frequency of hurricanes, tornadoes, and strong storms throughout the coming years. So designing homes to sustain minimal damage resulting from natural disasters will be increasingly important.

Sustainable Construction with Concrete: Trombe Walls

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:29:46 EST

At the base of the Sangre De Christo Mountains in Taos, N.M., sits a small group of what appear to be traditional adobe homes. In reality, these are the Sueños del Cañon luxury condominiums, a cutting-edge model of sustainable development in Southwestern disguise.