American Houses

(NewsUSA) - Home safety is a major concern for many Americans. But safety should mean more than teaching the kids to stop, drop and roll and double-checking the stove before leaving the house. Americans who are building, or looking to buy, a new home can implement safety from the start by considering the construction of the foundation.

When it comes to safety, building materials matter. Americans should consider the area in which they live before choosing a construction material. For example, couples living in hurricane- or flood-prone areas shouldn't build wooden homes, which can easily suffer moisture damage.

Concrete Network TV - 05:36 min.


Concrete masonry construction has been proven to be a safe, sturdy building material no matter the region. Unlike wood, concrete masonry is water-, wind- and fire-resistant. Concrete masonry bricks do not succumb to insect infestations, like termites. In areas often afflicted by earthquakes, builders can create flexibility within concrete foundations, so they do not shatter when the earth moves.

Concrete masonry also lessens indoor pollution, a major concern in many areas. Paints can emit harmful chemicals, but concrete bricks do not need to be painted. Concrete masonry does not absorb moisture in the air, which can lead to mold growth in other building materials. Mold is a major indoor air pollutant and irritant -; eliminating mold can lead to improved lung health in a home's residents.

Americans living in concrete masonry homes might also enjoy improved economic well-being. Concrete masonry helps control indoor temperatures, keeping homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In many areas, concrete masonry walls do not require additional insulation, saving homeowners money and reducing household dust.

Concrete masonry also dampens sound, making for a more peaceful indoor environment in urban areas.

For more information about building with concrete masonry, visit the Web site of the National Concrete Masonry Association at www.ncma.org

(NewsUSA) - In August 2008, Hurricane Gustav forced 2 million Gulf Coast residents from their homes. And while the storm lost force before landing, it did threaten homes and New Orleans' still-unfinished levees.

Precast Concrete Walls - 03:16 min.


The focus on New Orleans, just three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, should remind Americans to prepare their towns for natural disasters. Natural disasters are on the rise, and while politicians put more police on the streets to stop crime, few see rewards in enhanced disaster preparedness. According to one study published by researchers from Loyola Marymount University and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, constituents value politicians who respond to natural disasters, not those who spend money building safer infrastructures.

But when a hurricane or earthquake strikes, a capable infrastructure can save more lives than any emergency-response team. Well-built roads and buildings make evacuations and rescues easier and more effective. Building to resist hurricane-force winds, earthquakes and floods can help communities avoid billions of dollars in damages.

Builders can elevate buildings in flood plains and add basements or even storm shelters to homes in tornado-prone areas, giving residents a safe place to avoid storms. Roofs can be anchored to buildings' foundations, preventing high winds from removing rooftops during storms.

Some states have recognized that homes should be built to stand against the elements. In Florida, the building code is written to protect homes against 100-mph winds. And what materials do Floridian builders use to build strong homes? Eighty-five percent of the single-family homes built in Florida are made from concrete masonry.

Concrete masonry buildings resist decay, fungus, moisture, mildew, fire and hurricane-strength winds, helping to protect communities from structural damage caused by natural disasters.

For more information, contact the National Concrete Masonry Association at www.ncma.org

(NewsUSA) - According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), about 5.4 million Americans currently live in worst-case housing. Households with worst-case needs are defined as unassisted, very-low-income renters -; income no higher than 50 percent of area median income -; who pay more than half of their income for housing or live in severely substandard housing.

As prices rise, many low-income families cannot afford household repairs or heating bills. Housing costs can prevent families from buying adequate food, seeing doctors or saving money for future expenses.

Affordable housing doesn't just make families more comfortable. Construction projects help create jobs and economic growth. Home ownership creates stable, proud citizens with a vested interest in maintaining healthy neighborhoods.

Communities need to take action to provide affordable, decent housing for low-income families. The government sponsors some programs that allow neighborhoods to reclaim vacant or run-down properties, then use the land to build healthy, single-family homes. Citizens can work with non-profit organizations that provide affordable housing through volunteer labor.

But if communities build wood houses for low-income families, they might be creating new problems. Wood, along with other traditional building materials, proves susceptible to humidity, insect infestations, mold growth and natural disasters.

If communities truly want to improve living conditions, they need to seek more lasting materials. Concrete masonry buildings, for example, don't just stand the test of time, they also help reduce energy bills and indoor pollution levels.

Sustainable Green Concrete Masonry Framed Homes - 02:35 m.


Concrete masonry naturally regulates hot and cold air, so families spend less on insulation, heating and cooling costs. Builders do not need to paint concrete walls, which helps reduce initial construction costs and prevent airborne pollutants. Concrete masonry walls withstand hurricane-force winds and do not succumb to mold or termites, making them a long-term solution to community building needs.

For more information about concrete masonry, visit www.ncma.org