Concrete Homes

In our area, most basement walls are poured concrete. Poured concrete walls resist dampness and are stronger than wood or block walls. Since Hurricane Katrina arrived in New Orleans, there has been renewed interest in concrete walls above ground. Photos of massive destruction with a lone concrete home still standing surfaced in the post Katrina destruction.

We also live in the edge of tornado alley. Most death and injuries from tornadoes are caused by flying debris traveling at high rates of speed. Concrete walls exceed FEMA code requirements for safe rooms.

A new product available to home owners is insulated concrete form walls, or ICF’s. ICF walls are rigid foam walls with space to pour concrete in the middle. The concrete hardens but the forms stay in place and the owner has a safe, quiet, well insulated and energy efficient home.