Posted on March 24, 2020
Are you looking for a construction material that will meet your needs today without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet the needs of the future?
How you ever wondered why there are so many concrete buildings?
Concrete is the most widely used building material in the world because of the many benefits it offers the building and the environment.
Not only is concrete the best building material for your wallet and the environment, but it's also the safest. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of building with concrete.
The Benefits of Concrete Buildings
We mentioned that concrete is the most widely used material in the world. Everywhere you look you see concrete. This is because concrete delivers a wide array of benefits while being cost-effective and sustainable.
Concrete is incredibly durable and extremely versatile. There's a reason it's so widely used. Not only is concrete used in building construction, but it's also superior to asphalt when it comes to pavement.
Concrete pavement is more cost-effective than asphalt and requires much less maintenance over time. Concrete is built to last.
Let's dive into some of the biggest benefits of using concrete in your construction.
1. Durability
Concrete construction lasts longer than any other building material. This is because concrete actually becomes stronger over time.
When you build with concrete you don't have to worry about long term costs or the environment as a result of maintenance and upkeep. The fact that you won't have to fund regular repairs also reduces the cost of ownership.
Concrete is resistant to burns, rust, and rot. It can also stand up to vibrations, water, wind, fire, and even earthquakes.
Not only does this reduce costs, but it keeps people safe. Concrete has proven to be the most durable building material when it comes to natural disasters and extreme weather events.
2. Sustainability
Concrete is produced locally and is highly sustainable. It's usually produced near the construction site using local resources. This reduces pollution and shipping costs and also boosts the local economy.
Concrete is also recyclable. It's recycled as both an aggregate and as granular material.
Aggregate concrete is used in parking lots, gabion walls, roadbeds, and to protect shorelines. Granular material is recycled to reduce the amount of material that ends up in landfills and the amount of new material needed for new construction.
3. Versatility
While concrete is strong and formidable when it has hardened, it has plasticity when it's freshly made which makes it very versatile. Designers and builders can mold freshly mixed concrete to any shape, surface, form, or texture they desire.
There are also many different kinds of concrete that serve specific functions for applications. Concrete is continually being adapted in new and creative ways to make it more sustainable.
Buildings constructed with concrete are easy to repurpose and adapt to new uses. This is because concrete is strong and fire-resistant. When buildings are repurposed instead of abandoned, resources are conserved and the environment is preserved.
4. Environmentally Friendly
Concrete is the lowest carbon building material over the lifetime of a structure. This is because of its durability, recyclability, efficiency, and thanks to innovations in the industry to address sustainability concerns.
This recent study found that concrete buildings have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than those made using wood materials. Concrete is also highly energy efficient.
This is because of its ability to store energy, also called its thermal mass. Concrete's thermal mass allows it to reduce the heating and cooling demands of the building.
When concrete is used in conjunction with other green construction technologies, significant energy-efficient improvements are seen. Occupants of concrete buildings are more comfortable and concrete buildings reduce energy demands on cities as a whole.
Concrete is also completely inert, meaning it won't emit any toxic compounds, gas, or harmful organic compounds.
5. Safety
You might be wondering, "Is concrete safe?" The answer is yes.
Concrete is very safe for building occupants and the environment. Because concrete is inert, it doesn't burn. It also won't experience rot or mildew.
Air quality in concrete buildings is excellent. When constructed properly, concrete won't allow the entry of airborne pollutants like dust or pollen. You can rest assured that concrete is safe because of how long it has been used and studied.
Designers, builders, and engineers understand concrete and have refined construction techniques over time. The same can't be said about newer materials.
Because concrete walls are so solid, building occupants will experience a sense of security and privacy., Because concrete has such strong integrity, it can protect its occupants from severe weather and earthquakes.
It's high thermal mass also protects against temperature swings and keeps the interior of the building consistently comfortable and free of drafts.
Choose Concrete for Your Next Building Project
As you can see, there are a number of reasons why concrete buildings outperform their competition. Concrete is the most widely used construction material on the planet for many good reasons.
Not only is concrete safe, but it's by far the best choice to protect a building's inhabitants and the environment. Concrete is a tried and true construction material that only gets better with time.
If you're considering material for a new building or pavement project, we recommend using concrete. Click here for a list of producers near you and check out the rest of our website to learn more about the benefits of building with concrete.