Photo: Todd Trapani

Why are Florida homes built with cinder blocks?

Concrete Homes are Pest Proof and Low Maintenance In Florida, where termites are widespread, this is of particular importance. Concrete block construction also requires less repair and maintenance because concrete is less susceptible to rot like wood or rust like steel.

seagatehomes.com - The Benefits of Concrete Block House Construction | SeaGate Homes

Are tiny homes still popular in 2022?

Some will say that tiny homes are a fad, but the trend is still going strong. In fact, the market is set to grow by $3.57 billion between 2022 and...

Last updated Oct 22, 2018

Is PVC conduit OK for underground?

PVC conduit is often used in underground and wet location applications where electrical cables need to be protected. Because it's UV tested and...

Last updated Jan 25, 2022

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The Benefits of Concrete Block House Construction

The benefits of concrete block house construction make concrete a smart material choice for building in Florida. Concrete block houses are energy-efficient, fire-resistant, noise-reducing, pest-resistant, low-maintenance, and healthy. Concrete homes are also a good investment. While Concrete houses can cost more to build than wood-frame houses; once constructed, a concrete house quickly recoups the initial costs with lower utility and upkeep costs.

Concrete Block Homes are Energy Efficient

A concrete wall system, along with insulation, creates a tight thermal building envelope, which conserves energy. A study by the Portland Cement Association found that houses with concrete walls had five to nine percent greater energy savings than wood-framed houses; and concrete walls are less drafty and maintain a more even temperature throughout the home. Concrete homes can be designed with smaller-capacity equipment for heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning offering a further saving to homeowners.

Concrete is a Healthy Home Choice

EPA research indicates that the average American spends about 90 percent of their time indoors, making it vital that homes as healthy as possible. A healthy home utilizes materials that minimize occupants’ exposure to toxins, molds, outside allergens, and radon. Concrete has lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emittance, are much more resistant to mold and reduce the infiltration of outside allergens. Mold, VOCs and outdoor allergens can cause nose, eye and throat irritations, headaches, nausea, respiratory infections and immune system disorders. Some VOCs have even been known to cause damage to the kidney, liver and central nervous system and even cause cancer in animals and humans.

Concrete Block Homes Reduce Outside Noise

A 1997 study by the Portland Cement Association indicates that concrete walls allow up to ¼ less outside noise to enter the home, compared to wood-built homes. Example: Loud speech on the opposite side of a frame wall would be audible but the same loud speech on the opposite side of a concrete block wall would be virtually inaudible and a listener would have to strain to hear.

Concrete Block Homes are Fire Resistant

In the event of a fire, insulated concrete walls limit the spread of flames compared to wood walls. Insulated concrete block walls also do not burn, bend or soften like steel. Insulated concrete blocks meet the thermal performance required by the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC) without additional insulation and are capable of achieving a fire rating of up to four hours before applying a finish.

Concrete Homes are Pest Proof and Low Maintenance

Concrete house construction is more pest-resistant than wood construction, this includes termites, carpenter ants, and rodents. In Florida, where termites are widespread, this is of particular importance. Concrete block construction also requires less repair and maintenance because concrete is less susceptible to rot like wood or rust like steel. With over 25 years of building in Flagler County and the combined 100 years of home building experience of our leadership team, SeaGate Homes chooses to build concrete block homes and backs them with our industry-leading 15-year structural warranty. Our goal is to provide quality homes for today’s homebuyers in communities that cater to every lifestyle.

Is Styrofoam a better insulator than sawdust?

Styrofoam isn't a good choice for electrical insulation either. As for acoustic insulation, the sawdust may actually work better because the dust...

Last updated Feb 22, 2021

How deep should you lay self binding gravel?

Self Binding Gravels need to spread and compacted in thin layers. We recommend a finished compacted depth of no more than 50mm. Initially a 15-20mm...

Last updated Sep 22, 2019

These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

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How much gravel do you need under footing?

While discussing our project with local excavators, several mentioned that they commonly include 4 to 6 inches of crusher run gravel UNDER the footings – properly compacted, of course – to improve forming and pouring of the footings.

greenbuildingadvisor.com - Gravel under concrete footing - GreenBuildingAdvisor

I am trying to finalize several aspects of the foundation design for the high-performance house we’ll be building in central Vermont starting in May. Typical of the region, our house site, which has a 7% slope, is near the bottom of 600 foot ‘mountain’ and we expect it to be moderately wet (Buckland very fine sandy loam soil that is only “moderately well drained”). Our plans include a walk-out basement conditioned well enough for woodshop, so I anticipate using (A) both internal and external footing drains run to daylight, (B) a gravel pad, XPS insulation and a poly vapor barrier under the poured basement slab (XPS will continue around the perimeter of the slab and up interior walls), (C) a passive radon mitigation system and (D) both paint-on damp-proofing and a waterproof air-gap sheet on the exterior of the poured concrete walls. While discussing our project with local excavators, several mentioned that they commonly include 4 to 6 inches of crusher run gravel UNDER the footings – properly compacted, of course – to improve forming and pouring of the footings. I know that pre-formed concrete basement wall panels and permanent wood foundations are typically placed on gravel footings, but I have not seen this detail included in descriptions of a poured foundation/basement. My first question is whether it is OK to have the gravel layer under the footings? Second, would this gravel layer eliminate the need for the PVC water drainage pipe inside the footings? My thinking is that the water normally collected by the interior drainage pipe would instead flow under the footing and be collected by the exterior drainage system.

Why are barns red in Vermont?

Historically, barns were painted red, not for aesthetic reasons, but out of practical necessity, which is consistent with the frugality of...

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What can I use instead of anchors?

The best way to hang things without a wall anchor is by securing the item to a stud. This can be as simple as driving a screw straight into the...

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Do professionals use SketchUp?

SketchUp (formerly Google SketchUp) is a 3D modeling CAD software used by both professionals and amateurs alike. SketchUp allows the creation of a...

Last updated Apr 22, 2021

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

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What smell will keep rats away?

This makes peppermint oil, chili powder, citronella, and eucalyptus the most common natural rodent repellents. Chemical smells, such as ammonia,...

Last updated Aug 23, 2019