The reinforced concrete structure is not just energy-efficient, it is also incredibly durable and reliable. One of the reasons many people choose to build with Fox Blocks is because of how incredibly strong they are. Fox Blocks saves on labor time by combining the framing, insulation, and weatherproofing into one easy step. The all-in-one solution allows many of the construction aspects to be completed in one step. ICF blocks are lightweight and can be assembled with minimal training, so installation is a breeze and often leads to material and build time savings. Fox Blocks are great insulators, eliminating thermal bridging, and providing the thermal mass of the concrete, helps keep your home consistently comfortable even as the temperature changes outdoors. In fact, ICFs from Fox Blocks boast an industry leading R-22 value for their insulation. With both interior and exterior panels of insulation, ICF construction is one of the most energy-efficient methods on the market. The better insulation and faster build times traditionally associated with wood framing are not an issue when ICFs are used.
Their experience can help prevent surprise costs from creeping into the project. When quoting a concrete block home, it is important that you get pricing from a builder experienced in concrete block home construction. Material prices can fluctuate wildly, so it’s a good idea to get quotes close to the time of your construction project. You’ve seen some of the advantages of both concrete block and wood frame construction, but what is the cost difference? For the equivalent square footage, concrete block homes tend to be more expensive to build. Concrete block walls tend to be thicker than wood framing which can be an issue for smaller lots. It is not normally an issue for most builds, but sometimes the size of walls can be a concern. Concrete block construction requires a masonry skillset, is typically a slower build, and will increase the total length of the project.
The wide availability of labor and the techniques themselves allow wood framing to go up very quickly. Wood frame construction provides a cavity for high performance insulation to be easily added to the wall to boost wood framing’s insulation performance.Īlmost any construction crew will be familiar with wood framing techniques. Some of the advantages of wood construction are:Ĭoncrete blocks are sturdy but they do not have a very high R-value, or the ability to resist heat transfer. Wood frame construction is popular for a reason, and some of its advantages can be hard to beat. With concrete construction, you won’t have to worry about those pesky pests eating away at your new home, which also keeps insurance rates lower too. One of concrete’s greatest advantages is the natural termite resistance. Concrete block homes are incredibly durable and make for a very well built home. While all new residential construction projects, whether wood or concrete, will be built to at least the minimum building codes, concrete block structures often have more strength than code requires. Wood framing is often used on the interior of concrete block construction, but the concrete helps keep the whole structure more fire resistant. Wood studs and plywood sheathing will burn whereas concrete blocks do not.
One of the great aspects of concrete is that it is naturally fire resistant. Some of the biggest advantages of concrete block construction are: Wood framing is often more common, however concrete block construction provides big advantages that make it a worthy contender. Advantages of Concrete Block Construction