LAS VEGAS— Recent research by McGraw-Hill indicates that 70 percent of buyers would be inclined to purchase a green home versus a conventional home in a down market.  With new techniques and products introduced at what seems like a daily basis, builders can rely on concrete for straightforward solutions for today’s green building demands.

Concrete and other cement-based products can contribute to more than 40 green building practices covered by the NAHB National Green Building Standard.  While most homes will not include all 40, the variety of applications makes concrete the right choice for sustainable design.

“Concrete products like wall systems and permeable pavements provide high-performance results without a large learning curve for the builder,” Donn Thompson, PCA director of low-rise buildings said. “Concrete applications are simple, available and understood by everyone on the job site.”

In addition to the energy efficiency of concrete wall systems and the stormwater management advantages of permeable pavements, concrete can offer many other sustainable construction benefits.  Indoor air quality, urban heat island effect and safety are all advantages found in concrete.

For example, light-colored concrete roof tiles and pavements mitigate urban heat island effect by keeping surrounding air temperatures cooler and lowering home cooling loads.  Use of prefinished concrete systems reduces the amount of paints and stains consumed on site, which can compromise indoor air.   Solid, continuous concrete walls offer a simpler, tighter, fire resistant barrier between living spaces and garages.  Inert concrete countertops are an attractive alternative to conventional tops built with formaldehyde based wood cores. 

Interactive displays of sustainable concrete solutions can be found at Booth #N2431 on January 19-22, 2010, at the International Builders’ Show in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.

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