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Concrete Decor - Index

Concrete Decor - Concrete Decor Magazine, The Journal for Decorative Concrete - Index

Project Profi le
Winkler estimates that he spent
about 7 percent more on building costs
than he would for a stick-built home,
but he thinks he’ll be able to build
for less the next time around. In nine
months, he plans to sell his home and
build with ICFs again. Farley is looking
for land for his own project — a duplex
made with ICFs.
Winkler says concrete construction
88 | www.ConcreteDecor.net | Dec. ’07/Jan. ’08
This concrete countertop in the master bathroom features exposed shells highlighted with paint.
will save him big dollars in energy costs.
The radiant heat keeps the fl oors toasty,
and the heat is retained so well that
he runs heating and cooling systems
only fi ve months out of the year. In the
summer, he opens the front and back
doors before work to let cool air in,
closes it up and keeps the house cool for
evening.
In fact, a 1997 survey
commissioned by the Portland Cement
Association found that ICFs reduce
energy used for heating by about 44
percent and energy for cooling by about
32 percent.
Winkler says he built with the idea
that he would be able to live comfortably
for six months without power, using a
generator, gas range and gas-powered
water heater.
Other benefi ts of concrete
houses? Walls made of concrete
help eliminate worries about mold,
moisture and outside allergens. They’re
soundproof, airtight, cost-effective,
durable (especially during hurricanes,
tornadoes or earthquakes) and are
similar in appearance to stick-built
homes. Winkler’s home is covered in
HardiePlank concrete siding, but next
time, he wants to try a FossilCrete
exterior.
Winkler often walks potential
clients through the house, explaining,
“If you can think it, you can do it out
of concrete.” Their reaction? “They can’t
believe it’s concrete.
“Now I can’t wait to build again
because I have so many new ideas.”