What Are Concrete Houses Called? (5 Styles Explained)

Concrete is a commonly-used material for building houses. It is generally more durable, cost-effective, and low maintenance than other materials.

In addition, building houses using concrete requires less time and effort than other construction materials.

Here are 5 different styles of concrete houses, each different from the rest:

1. Concrete Block House

Also known as a concrete masonry unit, a concrete block house is a type of concrete house that primarily uses precast concrete blocks.

Precast concrete blocks are made by mixing cement, aggregates, and water. Aggregates can be coarse or fine and are typically composed of geological materials such as sand, gravel, and crushed rocks.

This mixture is then poured into molds and cured before construction.

These precast concrete blocks are stacked on each other and side-by-side at the construction site. A mortar is used to hold them together and make sure that they stay intact. This forms the walls of the house.

Once the blocks are in place and the wall is formed, it can be painted or applied with some finish, like stucco, to make it look more aesthetically pleasing.

Living in a concrete block house has its advantages. These houses are quite durable and resilient.

In addition, concrete block houses have excellent thermal insulation, which means they are quite comfortable to live in. This also helps reduce electricity costs.

They are also resistant to pests, fire, and moisture. This means these houses are not prone to mold, mildew growth, or pest infestations.

Concrete block houses generally cost less to build, and they are low-maintenance. They can last for several years without needing frequent repairs and maintenance work.

These houses can be easily customized to suit different architectural styles and design needs. They can be built to follow different house configurations, from small houses to multi-level ones to apartment buildings.

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2. Tilt-Up Concrete House

A tilt-up concrete house, also known as a precast concrete house, is another type of house that uses precast concrete. However, this style specifically uses panels.

This is not to be confused with concrete block houses, which use precast concrete blocks.

Tilt-up concrete houses are made from a factory’s precast concrete panels or modules. These materials are then transported to the construction site for assembly.

The process involves placing or embedding steel reinforcement bars into the panels. After that, concrete is poured into the forms.

These panels can be made into different shapes and sizes to suit the design needs of a house. Finally, once the concrete panels are cured, they are removed from the form and then transported to the construction site.

Since these panels are heavy, cranes are used to lift them, tilt them up, and put them in place to form the walls and roof of the house.

Because of how the panels are made, tilt-up concrete houses generally take a shorter time to be completed. They can also be more cost-efficient compared to other types of concrete houses.

Tilt-up concrete houses have good thermal insulation, which makes them energy-efficient. They can also be quite durable and resistant to moisture and pests, so you can prevent mold, mildew growth, and pest infestations.

If you want an affordable house made from concrete, then a tilt-up concrete house would be a great option.

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3. Insulated Concrete House

An insulated concrete house is a type of concrete house made from insulated concrete forms or ICF.

Insulated concrete forms consist of hollow, interlocking foam blocks. These blocks are stacked on each other to form the house’s walls.

The hollow space between the blocks is then filled with concrete to make them more solid.

The foam blocks are made of a mixture of concrete and a material with high thermal resistance. One example is expanded polystyrene, or EPS, a lightweight cellular plastic material.

The materials used in insulated concrete houses are known to provide excellent thermal insulation, which you can already tell based on the name.

These houses have the best thermal insulation when compared to other concrete houses. This means they can effectively reduce heating and cooling costs, making them energy-efficient.

Insulated concrete houses also have good soundproofing because the blocks provide acoustic insulation.

The walls of these houses are resistant to air leaks and drafts, which means they can keep the house warm when the temperature drops.

Besides ICF, insulated concrete houses also use other materials such as steel and wood. Insulated concrete houses are customizable and can be built to meet different architectural styles and design needs.

4. Monolithic Concrete House

A monolithic concrete house is a type of concrete house that is made from a single piece of concrete.

This piece of concrete is continuous, forming the house’s walls and roof. It is typically shaped like a dome, making for a strong and durable structure that can withstand outdoor conditions, even extreme ones like earthquakes and hurricanes.

A mixture of concrete and reinforcement steel is poured onto the foundation to construct a monolithic concrete house. It is then shaped into a dome and smoothed using specialized tools.

Because of how they are constructed, monolithic concrete homes are very low maintenance. They can last for many years without requiring major repairs.

Since they are made from a single and continuous piece of concrete, it has no joints or corners that can deteriorate and weaken over time.

The dome is extremely resistant to strong winds and heavy seismic loads, so these houses are suitable for disaster-prone areas.

These houses are also energy-efficient. The walls are thick enough to provide adequate thermal insulation, which can help minimize electricity costs.

This also comforts the house by keeping it cool during hot months and providing warmth during winter.

If you want a concrete house that is highly durable, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient, then monolithic concrete houses are an excellent option.

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5. Poured Concrete House

Also known as a cast-in-place concrete house, a poured concrete house is a type of house that primarily uses poured concrete to build its structure.

The construction process for this type of house involves pouring concrete into a formwork. This serves as the mold. Once the concrete is poured, it is cured to form a solid and sturdy structure.

Living in a poured concrete house has its benefits. For one, these houses are fire-resistant and quite durable. They are also made to withstand different outdoor conditions and provide strong shelter in a natural disaster.

Poured concrete houses also have good thermal insulation, which makes them energy-efficient.

Sources:

Should You Consider A Concrete House?

4 Types Of Modern Concrete Homes (Plus Costs, Pros, Cons & Siding Options)

Concrete Homes – Design Ideas & Energy Benefits

Everything You Need To Know About Building A Cement Block Home