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Top 10 List Gives Cement Products Green Design Edge
The Portland Cement Association recently published a list of the top 10 reasons that more green-focused architects, builders and engineers are using concrete and other cement-based products for innovative sustainable design solutions:
 10. You can hold the loudest parties on the block.
The greater mass of concrete walls can reduce sound penetrating through a wall by more than 80% compared with wood or steel frame construction, improving the quality of life for occupants. To learn more, click here.
9. Concrete keeps on going, and going and going.
Concrete can be readily recycled and reused as base materials for roads, sidewalks and concrete slabs, sparing the use of virgin materials. To learn more, click here.
8. Our plants get greener every day.
The cement industry has invested in new technologies and equipment to improve energy efficiency at its manufacturing facilities by 33% from a 1975 baseline.
7. The Big Bad Wolf can't blow your concrete house down.
Concrete stands up to the fury of nature, and will not rust, rot or burn. It is the most widely used building material in the world, and concrete buildings have withstood the test of time for more than 2,000 years. To learn more, click here.
6. Decorative concrete provides beauty that lasts a lifetime.
Using decorative concrete limits finishing materials and harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and provides a high-quality, durable, low maintenance surface. To learn more, click here.
5. From sidewalks to symphony halls, concrete makes virtually any design possible.
Concrete is an incredibly versatile material that can create any shape or size building or home, from big box retail centers to elegant building spires. The Second Annual PCA Concrete Thinking for a Sustainable World International Design Competition drew innovative entries that pushed the design envelope from nearly 200 student teams around the world. To learn more about the student competition winners, click here.
 4. With pervious concrete, puddles are a thing of the past.
Pervious concrete allows rainwater to naturally filter through it, preventing deposits of oil, grease and other contaminants from entering storm drains and going directly into the water supply. This technology is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a best practice for stormwater management. To learn more, click here.
3. Concrete keeps you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
With energy costs on the rise, this winter promises to be one of the most costly ever for consumers. Buildings with exterior concrete walls, also called mass walls, utilize less energy to heat and cool than similarly insulated buildings with wood or steel frame walls. To learn more, click here.
2. All the information you need is at your fingertips.
Created by PCA, www.concretethinker.com is a comprehensive online resource for information on using cement-based materials for sustainable design.
1. And, the number one reason to build with concrete….It's cool.
With the urban heat islands effect causing city temperatures to rise, concrete — according to new PCA research about its high rate of solar reflectance – can help neutralize its impact and keep communities cooler.
Headquartered in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — The Leading Suppliers of NAHB.
This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page.
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