| Claiming to have the best house is probably in the | | | | component in the future of 'net zero' buildings and |
| eye of the beholder, but most of us can agree that | | | | homes," Blyth continued. "Net-zero is a term for the |
| achieving descriptions such as beautiful, responsible, | | | | amount of energy that future homes will tap from |
| and cost-efficient – plus boundless growth in the | | | | public utilities—and that amount is, none." |
| resale value – is a very big part of a | | | | The technology ( consists of pre-assembled, |
| homeowner's dream. | | | | interlocking forms delivered to the construction site. |
| So when it comes to insisting on the best from your | | | | "Each form is designed with two, stay in place panels |
| building team, be sure to investigate all the | | | | of polystyrene connected with a hinged folding web, |
| advancements in construction technology. | | | | making transportation and assembly efficient and |
| "You can certainly combine beauty with maximum | | | | easy with no waste," Blyth explained. "The forms |
| environmental- and cost-efficiency," says Todd Blyth | | | | (like Lego) are stacked, reinforced, and then filled |
| at Nudura, a leading name in building technology. | | | | with concrete, creating the industry's strongest walls. |
| "For example, when driving in a residential | | | | "And the benefits are quite pronounced for all |
| neighbourhood is it the more majestic stone- | | | | involved. The architects get unlimited design |
| and-concrete homes that often catch your eye? A | | | | possibilities. The builders and contractors save |
| break from the ordinary brick dwelling is beautiful | | | | valuable construction time; and the environmentally |
| indeed, but did you know that concrete walls are | | | | responsible owner gets an eye-catching home with |
| likely to be twice as energy efficient?" | | | | even more benefits. |
| Steadily over the past decade, a specialized concrete | | | | "Energy bills have been shown to drop by as much |
| system for building walls is replacing the traditional | | | | as 70 percent," he continued, "and this type of |
| wood 'stick' method. Selected for homes and | | | | concrete building envelope is twice as efficient as |
| commercial buildings alike, the Nudura system has | | | | stick-frame walls. Your home will also be far less |
| been given 'thumbs up' by LEED—Leadership in | | | | prone to wood rot, mustiness and mould – and |
| Energy and Environmental Design, an international | | | | be up to three times more sound resistant, four |
| benchmark for sustainable high performance buildings. | | | | times more fire resistant, and up to nine times |
| "This type of building envelope is also a key | | | | stronger without drafts and cold spots. |