The wet weather on the Westcoast is known to cause reduced durability of building materials and a decrease in the length of time before various materials need to be replaced.
It is crucial to choose effective building materials when contracting a home and also when completing renovations. But even more so in a wet rainy climate such as that on the Westcoast.
Life Span
Concrete is used outdoors not only due to its beauty and engineered strength. It is also durable and long lasting.
Ideally, the average lifespan of any concrete structure is 75-100 years. But, it is considered that the average life of an apartment is 50-60 years while of a house it is 40 years.
Concrete homes are known not only for their durability but also for their cost-saving features.
Energy Efficient
In today's construction revolution, there is great demand to build high-performance homes. Homeowners can design a concrete home to look just like a wood-frame house, but they garner many other added benefits by choosing to build with concrete.
Homeowners can expect a 20 to 25 percent savings in annual heating and cooling costs versus standard stick-built homes, according to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report.
The energy savings come from the outstanding insulating values for concrete walls (better thermal resistance than wood framing) and tighter construction.
Those who live in concrete homes say the absence of cold drafts and unwanted noise are the biggest pluses, even topping the energy-saving benefits.
In closing
If you firmly believe in the adage that your home is your castle, then why not build a true fortress—one that can withstand nearly any assault Mother Nature can dole out without sacrificing the comfort and design flexibility of a traditional home?