At the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) International Builders’ Show (Feb. 7-10, Orlando, Fla.), Portland Cement Association planned a touch-screen
At the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) International Builders’ Show (Feb. 7-10, Orlando, Fla.), Portland Cement Association planned a touch-screen kiosk to demonstrate how insulated concrete homes save energy and reduce utility bills compared to other construction methods for various home and wall styles in a range of locations. Reinforcing that message by way of a Îconcrete’ example, the PCA booth aimed to promote The New American Home 2007 (TNAH), sponsored by NAHB affiliates. In addition, hourly bus trips from the Orange County Convention Center to the home were scheduled throughout the show.
For the fourth consecutive year, TNAH features a structural concrete wall system. Situated in the Lake Eola Heights Historic District near downtown Orlando, the three-story home bears T-Mass exterior insulated wall panels from Standard Manufacturing of Charleston, S.C., plus hollow core floor plank from Gate Concrete Products‘ Jacksonville, Fla., plant. The urban loft-style home also incorporates portland cement stucco containing Essroc Cement‘s pollution-fighting TX-Aria Cement; James Hardie Co.‘s Hardi Plank fiber-cement siding; and, Flagstone Pavers hardscaping units. Lead New American Home sponsors are PCA and Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute.
The home is expected to earn EPA’s Energy Star rating and use nearly 73 percent less energy for heating and cooling than a comparable wood-frame structure. TNAH features 4,700 sq. ft. of living area, plus a 576-sq.-ft. suite above the detached garage.
This year for the first time, a remodeled residence is part of TNAH project. Known as The Renewed American Home, it will showcase a concrete masonry safe room and additional areas of decorative concrete flatwork. Situated on a lot adjacent to TNAH, it was also scheduled for display during the International Builders Show.