Just Another Manic Monday

Nothing’s concrete (yet)

Yeah, I’m posting my brains out today…

Just a quick note: While the current plan is to build our house in the normal fashion—stick framed, the usual insulation, wallboard, yadda, yadda—we are also considering, and waiting for a bid, for one other construction alternative. (Although, I will admit that it’s getting a bit close to the start date to be certain that I’d actually do this.) But here’s the deal. Instead of simply framing the house there is also the possibility of using the Reward Wall System. Essentially what you get with this system is a house that has exterior walls that are built completely out of concrete. The exterior and interior look exactly the same—we’d be able to put cedar on the outside, wallboard on the inside—but the part of the house that is usually filled with lumber and insulation is instead filled with concrete that is surrounded by styrofoam “bricks.” There are several advantages to this system: The walls have a higher than normal R-value (that means the house is better insulated), the house is virtually fireproof, it’s not subject to problems typically associated with natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes.

The short term downside? It can be 5% – 10% more expensive than standard construction. The long term upside? It can potentially save a boatload more money in energy and insurance costs over the life of the home.

One thing is certain though, this type of house looks just like any other house you’d see on the street. Which means, even though you’re living in the equivalent of a bomb shelter, it doesn’t ever look like it.

Will we decide to go this way? Just can’t say yet. I’ll see some numbers tomorrow and then I’ll give you an answer.