Should You Build Your New Home from Wood or Concrete_

1. Should You Build Your New Home from Wood or Concrete?

2. Having been used in the construction of homes throughout America and the rest of the world for many thousands of years, both wood and concrete have qualities that make them outstanding materials for building from. But if this is the case, how do you decide which one you should build your home from? To help you get a better understanding of which material might be the most suitable to build your new home from, here’s a short but informative guide to both:

3. Concrete – the pros and cons Concrete structures are a common sight all around the world, and so it’s obvious that there are a few things that make it advantageous, such as: • It’s extremely durable • Requires little maintenance • Doesn’t succumb to rust or rot and cannot easily be burned • It both absorbs and retains heat • Resistant to wind and water • Non-combustible • Has excellent soundproofing qualities

4. However, concrete as a building material, also has a few advantages: • It costs more • It’s heavy and hard to transport • Limited versatility • Slower to build with • It’s susceptible to efflorescence

5. Wood – the pros and cons Wood, or timber, has many properties that make it great for use within the construction industry, such as: • It’s light and simple to work with • Cost effective • A natural resource However, wood also comes with its own set of disadvantages: • Moisture problems which can have a negative impact on the structure as a whole • More susceptible to water damage, fire, decay and termites

6. How do concrete and wood rate on the sustainability scale? Wood is a natural, sustainable product that for many, makes it the obvious choice when building structures that cause the least harm to the environment. Wood stores carbon dioxide, which leads to a significant reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, which is the equivalent of removing 500 cars from the roads for a whole year. Concrete, on the other hand, uses a lot of resources in its production processes, and cement – one of the main components of concrete – is a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. However, while you might assume that cement production being harmful for the environment means that concrete production is, too, it’s a little more complex than that:

7. Concrete is extremely durable – with a lifespan that’s as many as three times longer than some other building materials, concrete has significant durability advantages • Concrete is energy efficient – thanks to its ability to absorb and retain heat, a building made of concrete can be more energy efficient and save on the cost of heating during the winter months. It’s reflective properties can also help to decrease cooling costs during the summer months • Concrete produces little waste – because it can be produced to meet the specifications of each project, waste can easily be minimized

8. Is wood or concrete, a safer building material? It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that a structure made of wood is going to be more susceptible to external threats like fire, wind, moisture, insects and mold, any one of which can have a negative impact on the building’s structure. That said, concrete being such a robust, heavy material, should a concrete structure collapse during construction, or once the building has been completed and is occupied, the risk of injury and/or damage is a significant one.

9. Still undecided? Well actually, who can blame you? With distinct pros and cons surrounding the use of both materials, it can be hard to determine which one would be best to build your home from. But, with a detailed discussion with your chosen construction company, you’ll be able to make the right decision for your home, and your needs.

10. RZ Construction Group Inc is a fully inclusive construction contractor and one of the best construction companies for apartment renovation in NYC. From initial design to final clean up, our results speak for themselves. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded to provide both commercial and residential construction services to customers in Astoria and the surrounding area. Proud to serve New York State for 25 years. No job is too small nor too big. If you are looking for bathroom renovation in NYC or want to know more about our wide range of professional but affordable construction and repair services, reach out to us at (718) 938-9887.