Concrete Show Home Offers the Perfect Escape; "The Hideaway" Open For Tours During International Builders' Show '02

2/5/2002

From: Jennifer Grover or Bruce McIntosh, 847-966-6200 both of the Portland Cement Association

SKOKIE, Ill., Feb. 5 -- Builders and consumers will get a firsthand look at the best in concrete homebuilding systems this month. Built with walls of insulating concrete forms (ICFs), The Hideaway will be open to builders during the International Builders' Show and to consumers the five weekends following the show.

At 7,416 square feet, the home features a variety of other concrete products, including a precast concrete floor system; ICF safe room; stamped concrete patio, porches, sidewalks, and basement floor; retaining walls and more. And in a sign of a growing national trend, The Hideaway is the first of 30 concrete homes in the planned "Governor's Walk" neighborhood.

ICFs are hollow foam blocks or panels, which are stacked into the shape of the walls of a building. The forms are filled with reinforced concrete to create a solid structure which is strong, quiet, fire and pest resistant, and energy efficient. Polysteel Southeast is supplying the ICFs for The Hideaway at Governor's Walk. The builder is Steven Miles, Three Crown Construction.

Why The Hideaway?

Built with solid concrete, The Hideaway is the perfect refuge for a busy family, combining the strength of concrete with the comfort and elegance of a beautifully designed home.

Comfort & Elegance

Homes built with ICF walls are more energy efficient, making it easier for homeowners to set a comfortable and consistent temperature-and to save as much as 44 percent on their energy bills. Solid walls are quiet walls: concrete walls reduce noise by as much as 66 percent. And concrete wall systems are so flexible, they can accommodate any home design.

Safety & Security

Concrete walls provide unmatched protection from the elements. A concrete safe room is the perfect shelter from not only severe storms, but also from intruders; The Hideaway's safe room also doubles as a home theater. A secret room conceals a fireman's pole for a quick escape into the lower level safe room.

Location, Location, Location Tucked away at the far end of the Governor's Walk development, The Hideaway is located in Snellville, GA, about 30 miles northeast of Atlanta. Future owners will feel like they're a million miles away from it all-and still be within reach of all that metro Atlanta has to offer.

A Perfect Escape

With a beautiful backyard pool and porch, and plenty of rooms for entertaining family and friends, The Hideaway is the perfect place to escape the everyday. Guests can also stay in the loft space over the living area and enjoy the lower level game room and home theater.

More than simply building a house, Miles has developed an entire concrete neighborhood: The Hideaway is only the first of 30 planned homes. Set close to the street, the residences will be connected by concrete sidewalks, and will have porches to encourage outdoor interaction with neighbors. Six shared driveways will service all 30 homes, expanding the amount of space devoted to front yards and shared spaces.

More Information

Tours

The Hideaway is open to builders during the International Builders' Show floor hours. Consumers can tour the show home Wednesday through Sunday the subsequent five weekends; contact the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association for information on tickets to the Idea Home Tours: 770-938-9900.

Photos, Plans, Partners

High- and low-resolution finished and construction photos are available for download at www.concretehomes.com. For slides, contact Jenni Grover at PCA: 847.966.6200, ext. 338. House plans and a list of project partners are also posted.

--- Contacts Steven Miles, Three Crown Construction: 770-972-5650 or 770-231-4137 (mobile) Will Oliver, Polysteel Southeast: 706-886-5914 or 706-201-1472 (mobile) Mark Fitzgerald, Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association: 770-938-9900 Jim Niehoff, PCA Residential Market Promotion: 847-966-6200; 847-922-9532 (mobile) Jenni Grover, PCA Media Relations: 847-966-6200; 773-368-3074 (mobile)

------ Based in Skokie, Illinois, the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the U.S. and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.