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Concrete Homes using ARXX High Peformance Wall Systems
If your image of Concrete Homes is warehouses or army barracks, it's time to change your mind because Concrete Homes today are anything but dull, plain, and unattractive. We are proud to be the distributors for ARXX High Performance Wall System in Southern New Mexico. ARXX High Performance Wall System, consists of factory assembled polystyrene interlocking
forms which and can easily and quickly be stacked, shaped and molded using just a few form design variations. Architects can design aesthetic treatments such as bay windows, dramatic shading, and wide spans.
Standard forms, two parallel panels of polystyrene, are four feet long, sixteen and three-quarters inches high, and eleven and a half inches thick. Each weighs about six pounds. Polystyrene panels are two and a half inches thick and are separated about six and quarter inches. Between the panels is a grooved, durable plastic webbing spaced at eight-inch intervals.
After the interlocked forms are stacked, steel reinforcing rods are snapped into the webs which hold the polystyrene panels together. The reinforcing rods strengthen the concrete that is eventually poured into the forms using a concrete pump. After the concrete cures, electrical and plumbing circuits are cut neatly and quickly with a hot knife or router. Since only the inside polystyrene panel is cut to accommodate plumbing and electrical hardware, no air infiltration is possible.
Once the walls are up, the exterior can be sided with just about any façade, including metal, vinyl or wood siding that can easily be nailed or screwed into the plastic webbing. Finishes such as stucco, tile or brick veneer are applied directly to the form. Similarly, the interior can be finished with dry wall or paneling.
The ARXX high performance wall system, generally known as Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), offers not only easy construction, it's also economical and safe for both the builder and owner. The building can go up quickly. The lightweight material also reduces the chances of on-the-job injuries.
A Concrete building is fire resistant (an ARXX wall earns a three-hour fire rating). Concrete buildings are dramatically more resistant to high winds associated with hurricanes and tornadoes than standard stick homes. Many insurance companies offer reduced rates, as a result.
Concrete Homes are energy efficient. Desert dwellers especially can realize a 30 to 50 percent savings in both heating and cooling costs. Expanded polystyrene has an R-25 rating compared with the R-9 to R-13 rating in a conventional wall. The higher the rating the more energy efficient. And because of the thermal mass of the concrete, the effective R-value is closer to 40.
Recognizing the energy conserving properties of Concrete Home construction, numerous power companies offer rebate plans for Concrete buildings. Reduced energy costs also means that a potential home buyer, for example, would conserve additional dollars for mortgage payments. Ecologists can be happy because fewer wood products are used. Concrete buildings are environmentally friendly. ARXX walls are impervious to insects, drafts and rot. They also resist cracking.
The state of the art ARXX Wall System means, a dry, cozy and sound proof home that can survive many lifetimes. Think Concrete. Think ARXX Wall Systems
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