Most home buyers know that homes built of solid concrete are stronger than
homes built of most other building materials. While that is a solid advantage of
buying or building a concrete home, there are many other benefits to building
with concrete, and especially steel reinforced, poured concrete, that the
average Florida home buyer may not be aware of.

Aside from obtaining the safety, durability and security that only solid
concrete can provide, concrete homes are also able to withstand hurricane and
tornado force winds, are resistant to heat, fire, water damage, wood rot and
insect infestation.

Maximum energy efficiency can be obtained in a solid concrete home; you can
do your part to help the environment and reduce the strain on rapidly depleting
natural resources simply by purchasing a solid concrete home.

Built strong for the concerned Florida home buyer

With very active hurricane seasons in 2004-2005, and yet another active
season expected in 2006, it is not surprising that the majority of Florida
residents and those seeking to re-locate to Florida have hurricanes at the
forefront of their minds. It is smart and responsible to be concerned about and
prepared for hurricanes. But this doesn't mean that you have to avoid living in
Florida in order to be safe from severe weather.

It's no coincidence that solid, steel reinforced concrete is the most widely
used building material for safe rooms and disaster shelters. If you build or
purchase a home made with steel-reinforced concrete, you are greatly increasing
the odds of your home withstanding a Category 4 hurricane like Katrina or Rita.

Recent tests conducted in simulated 250 mile per hour winds, with projectiles
traveling at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, showed that solid concrete
homes were able to withstand these conditions and remain structurally intact.

Solid concrete construction offers water tight protection against leaks and
mildew that are often a consequence of storm damage.

Fire safety

Solid, poured concrete homes are also resistant to heat and fire. This type
of concrete will not burn, soften or bend. Solid, poured concrete walls are
dense and joint free, which prevents the spread of fire. Concrete offers a huge
advantage over wood framed homes in the event of a fire, as fire is not able to
spread as quickly through a concrete home. This gives the concrete home owner
valuable time to get themselves and their loved ones to safety should a fire
break out.

A break for the environment and your wallet

Energy costs have spiked to unprecedented levels of late, and there is no
relief in sight. A solid concrete home uses thermal mass and light reflectivity
to maximize energy efficiency. By absorbing heat during the higher daytime
temperatures and releasing the accumulated heat during the cooler evening hours,
the concrete home will be less expensive to cool in the summer and heat in the
winter. If you want a home that is environmentally friendly, then concrete is
the building material for you!

If you are concerned about the environment, then poured concrete is the
building material for you. Concrete is made from some of the most plentiful
resources on this planet, and there are no toxic bi-products. The concrete
industry also recycles and reclaims materials throughout the concrete
manufacturing process.

Due to global demand for wood and a limited supply, wood prices for builders
and home buyers are some of the highest ever. Using a material that is in high
demand but has a slow renewal process also has a greater impact on the overall
environment. Concrete solves this problem by using abundant and readily
available materials!

Minimal waste generated by the construction of concrete homes also reduces
the impact on area landfills.

Minimal maintenance costs

With a solid concrete home, the home owner never has to worry about wood rot.
This is often a very expensive repair for wood framed home owners. Since
concrete is an unappealing material to insects such as termites, concrete homes
will not require expensive extermination treatments due to insect infestation.

Poured concrete: the beauty of strength

Since concrete can be poured into any shape, the design possibilities for
your new Florida home are endless. Concrete can also be covered with your choice
of beautiful exterior materials, including wood, stone, brick, siding and
stucco. Interior walls and floors can be covered with all standard flooring and
wall covering materials.

Energy efficient, environmentally friendly concrete construction makes for a
sound investment in your future and your environment. Tough, resilient, well
made, sturdy, hard wearing, durable concrete provides the safety, security and
protection that home buyers are looking for.