Habitat and Concrete Bring Quality to Affordable Housing; Homes Will Save Families As Much As 44 Percent On Energy Bills

2/5/2002

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

ATLANTA, Feb. 5 -- Affordable yet high-quality housing has long been the mission of the concrete home industry, and now it will be a reality for three families in suburban Atlanta. Using an innovative concrete wall system, the Gwinnett County Habitat for Humanity is building two concrete homes, and the South Fulton County Habitat for Humanity is following suit with its first concrete home, currently under construction.

Homes built with concrete walls can save owners up to 44 percent on energy bills, and they are 66 percent quieter than wood homes-two great benefits that make concrete homes a solid investment for any family.

As in conventional Atlanta-area construction, the first step is to pour a concrete slab that forms the foundation and floor. Next, workers begin building the perimeter walls by positioning and tying-in vertical reinforcing-steel cages around the slab. Foam panels are then placed inside the reinforcing steel. Aluminum forms for the concrete are locked into place on both sides of the steel-foam assembly.

Concrete is poured into the aluminum forms to create a concrete wall that incorporates foam insulation. The forms are later stripped away and used on the next house. The resulting exposed concrete surface can be finished to meet the homeowner's preference. Options include finishing the concrete itself-to look like brick or other finish styles-or adding vinyl siding, stucco, real brick and more.

Construction costs are comparable to those of traditional wood-frame houses, say form and concrete producers. As in all Habitat projects, construction relies on volunteer labor, donated materials, and industry sponsorship.

The homes built in the Atlanta area are part of a national effort by the concrete home industry to collaborate with HFH. So far, other concrete homes have been built-or are planned-in New Orleans, Kansas City, Houston, Las Vegas, and Omaha.

In addition to HFH and PCA, other national and local companies and organizations are collaborating on the homes:

-- Concrete Homes Council -- Georgia Concrete & Products Association -- Gwinnett County and South Fulton County Habitat for Humanity -- Lafarge North America -- Portland Cement Association -- Schwing North America -- Southeast Cement Shippers Association -- Wall-Ties & Forms Inc. -- Western Forms

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. For information go to: www.habitat.org.

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. For information go to: www.portcement.org.

--- Contacts: Jim Niehoff, PCA Residential Market Promotion Manager: 847-966-6200 or 847-922-9532 (cell) Myles McCabe, Gwinnett County HFH: 770-931-8080 or 770-527-5735 (cell) Wendy Shannon, Concrete Homes Council: 919-933-8026 or 919-621-8024 (cell)