DL Walker Concrete: Building Homes on a Solid Foundation

Answer:  Benefits of Concrete Block Homes

Durability
Beauty That Lasts

Concrete is one of the most durable materials on Earth. Here in Florida, concrete block is unquestionably the most practical home building material. There’s no rotting or wall warping. No extensive maintenance or upkeep requirements. Your home retains it curb appeal and its value – beautifully.

Energy Efficiency
Attractive Energy Savings

Concrete block homes are more energy efficient than wood homes, especially in Florida’s hot, humid, sun baked climate. That’s because the mass factor of block acts as a reservoir to trap and store heat from the sun, so that interiors stay cooler longer.

The Florida Energy Code recognizes the value of mass by requiring much less insulation for block walls than for wood frame walls.

Another point: air infiltration from “wall leaks” is estimated to cause up to 39% of home energy loss. Concrete block walls, which are more airtight than wood frame walls, seal in air conditioned air far better – while keeping out hot, humid air.

Fire Resistant
You Won't Get Burned with Concrete Block

Concrete block is a non-combustible material. Your family and possessions are safer in a block home and your fire insurance rates will be much lower too. In addition, concrete block significantly reduces unwanted noise pollution.

Termite Resistant
Concrete Block terminates Problems

Florida may be the most termite-infested state in the nation. Wood frame homes are tasty targets for these destructive insects, but not block homes. What’s more, block homes are virtually immune to dry rot, one of the major causes of exterior maintenance in Florida.

Weather & Storm Resistance
A Beautiful Choice in Ugly Weather

After a hurricane passes, weather resistance may be the most important benefit to a home buyer nowadays. In a concrete block home you and your family will enjoy increased safety and peace of mind during dangerous weather. At the same time, your insurance rates will be lower, which can add up to considerable savings here in Florida. Moreover, unlike wood, block does not deteriorate in any way, further protecting the value of your investment.

Design Flexibility

Concrete block is an extremely flexible building material. Building with concrete block means you have the flexibility to do just about anything you want. Whether it be a one- story home or a three story home with such options as columns, arches, high ceilings and tall windows concrete block provides the needed flexibility for every type of job.

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Answer: Commercial applications include constructing walls (which include load bearing and non-load bearing, exterior, interior, fire, separation, security and veneer); retaining walls; sound barriers; chimneys and fireplaces; fire safe enclosures; elevator shafts; storage vaults; paving and building construction.

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Answer: Concrete is a mixture of ingredients including cement, water, coarse aggregates, fine aggregates and additives.

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Answer: concrete is used for the finished products such as sidewalks, foundations and the surface of many roads.  Concrete contains sand, gravel and cement.  Cement is the special hardening ingredient that makes concrete hardened.

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Answer: Masonry is chosen due to its attractive appearance and versatility, minimal maintenance, long life and resistance to damage from moisture, weathering and vandalism, resistance to fire, wind and earthquake, economic installation, sound attenuation and energy efficiencies.

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Answer: Masonry provides a strong and durable structure, withstanding both routine and natural wear as well as extraordinary impacts of nature (hurricanes) and human disasters.

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Answer: concrete is measured by the cubic yard, measuring 3' x 3' x 3' or 27 ft.³.  1 yd.³ of normal concrete will weigh about 4000 pounds.

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Answer: Because of the greater mass of concrete walls, concrete can reduce sound penetrating through the wall by as much as 80% compared with wood or steel frame construction.  A concrete building can be two-thirds quieter than a wood or steel frame building.

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Answer: concrete may be ordered in many colors.  The natural color of concrete is gray because the color of the cement used to make it is typically gray.  This is the result of the way that cement is manufactured and the content of iron ore that is added.

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Answer: Buildings with exterior concrete walls utilize less energy to heat and cool than similarly insulated buildings with wood or steel frame walls.  Over the course of a day, building systems respond to changing conditions in outside air temperature, occupant and equipment activity and incident solar energy.  A building with thermal mass has the capacity to store warm or cold and can moderate indoor temperature fluctuations, slow the transfer of heat to the building envelope, and store energy and shift peak energy requirements.

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Answer: Pavers are affordable and durable in any climate.  Concrete’s flexibility allows for a variety of colors, textures and shapes.  Colored and textured pavers can be used to tie outdoor spaces into the surrounding built and natural environment.  Color can be tied to the exterior facade or surrounding vegetation.  Pavers are just as pleasing indoors as they are outdoors.  From a real estate marketing standpoint, pavers enhance the prestige and value of property.  Pavers can be easily maintained.

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