>>only three nations build with our style of platform construction, Canada Japan and the US<<
I'm in Arizona, and recently I toured some of the new subdivisions around here where everything seems to be 2x6 wood construction. Been wondering why no ICF, and then I read this...
Builder cements plans for homes
Subdivision to be all concrete
azcentral.com
Luci Scott
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 30, 2004 12:00 AM
Dave Keller is building what is apparently the Valley's first subdivision of concrete homes in decades.
The concrete increases energy efficiency and makes the homes quieter and resistant to termites, mold and fire.
The subdivision, Sunset Trails IV at 40th Avenue and Lone Cactus Drive in northwest Phoenix, will contain 34 homes of 3,000 to 4,000 square feet, including full finished basements and inside and outside concrete walls, selling for $115 to $120 a square foot.
"That's comparable with 2-by-6 (wood frame) construction prices," Keller said. "This is the only development in the Valley to my knowledge where the entire subdivision is all concrete homes."
Decades ago, houses in the Maryvale neighborhood were built of concrete blocks, and some newer custom homes have been built with concrete walls. But Keller said his will be the first all-concrete subdivision.
Concrete homes are more common in California, Ohio, Indiana and New England.
Given that concrete homes cut utility bills and have other advantages, why haven't more been built in Phoenix?
"The builders here are set in their ways," said the project's engineer, Mike Spurling of Gilbert.
"I've been here since '97, and from what I've seen, they're not progressive at all. Most of them I've talked to have the attitude of if it's new, it's not any good and they don't want to do it."
The subdivision's building material is not even new, he said. The walls are being built with insulated concrete forms, or ICFs, made of concrete and foam.
"ICFs have been out for years," Spurling said.
ICFs are becoming more popular across the nation, reports the National Association of Home Builders.
Keller's homes will be territorial Southwest design with a smooth stucco finish, flat roofs, parapets and wood veneer garage doors. Work on the first homes is expected to begin in January.
Keller said the walls will have an insulation rating of R-50, compared with wood frame houses whose walls are traditionally R-19.
R-value ratings measure the ability to resist heat flow, and the higher the R value, the more effective the building material.
Phoenix architect Jonathan Peiffer, who is accredited by the U.S. Green Building Council and versed in environmentally friendly design, said there is no scientific evidence to totally prove whether an R-50 rating can be achieved.
"But whether they reach R-50 is not the point," said Peiffer, who is not working on this subdivision. "The issue is does it perform much better than wood frame, and this is definitely an improvement over traditional construction by a long shot."
Keller said his roofs will rank at R-48; they will be made of structurally insulated panels, containing 12 inches of polystyrene. Interior drywall will be attached to recycled plastic that is part of the forms.
The walls of concrete also will make the homes quieter, Keller said.
"Houses typically built aren't soundproof," Keller said. "You close the door to this house, it's like closing the door on a Cadillac."
Keller said he is building and selling the homes at comparable costs to stick-built homes.
Keller's company is 4 Investors, named for the four principals: Keller and his wife, Marsha, and their partners, Bob and Glenda Salars.
All of the lots in the subdivision are reserved, but Keller is taking backup offers. He said he has another project of concrete homes on the drawing board at Interstate 10 and Val Vista Road; it will have 61 larger homes on lots of 1 or 1 1/4 acre. |
