Performance |
Formed/Poured Concrete |
Block Construction |
Wood Construction |
Plastics Construction |
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)
(Off-gassing) |
** |
** |
* |
<0.3mg/m3
*** |
Interior Air Quality (IAQ) |
** |
** |
* |
**** |
Energy Performance(4)
(air tightness and thermal mass) |
** |
** |
* |
**** |
Self-ignition
temperature
(ASTM - D1929 ) |
** |
** |
* |
480° C/896° F
*** |
Flame Spread
(ASTM E84) |
*** |
*** |
* |
19
**** |
Smoke Development and Toxicity
(ASTM E84) |
** |
** |
** |
261
**** |
Design |
Formed/Poured Concrete |
Block Construction |
Wood Construction |
Plastics Construction |
ISO 9001 Ceritfied |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Design flexibility(walls) |
** |
*** |
**** |
**** |
Design flexibility (roof) |
*** |
*** |
*** |
** |
Insulated Cathedral Roof |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Roof Steel / Aluminium Reinforced |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Interior / Exterior Wall Construction |
Concrete/Wood |
Block/Wood |
Wood/Wood |
Concrete/
Concrete |
Interior/Exterior Cladding Required
? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Drywall Required |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Ability to integrate with other
building technologies/Methods |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Multi-Level Construction |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Residential/Commercial/
Industrial Applications |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Overall Building Strength |
*** |
*** |
* |
**** |
Maintenance |
Formed/Poured Concrete |
Block Construction |
Wood Construction |
Plastics Construction |
Painting and Staining Required |
Yes |
Yes |
Always |
Never |
Potential for Termites |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
None |
Resistance to Deterioration
due to Vermin Infestation |
*** |
*** |
* |
**** |
Waterproof |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Mold & Mildew Resistance |
*** |
** |
* |
**** |
Rust and Rot Resistance |
*** |
** |
* |
**** |
Resistance to Hurricanes |
*** |
** |
* |
**** |
Resistance to Flood/Water Damage |
** |
** |
* |
**** |
Overall Maintenance |
*** |
** |
* |
**** |
Overall Costs |
Formed/Poured Concrete |
Block Construction |
Wood Construction |
Plastics Construction |
Cost to Design |
*** |
*** |
** |
*** |
Cost of Construction
(including soft costs) |
** |
*** |
** |
*** |
Cost to Maintain |
** |
** |
* |
**** |
Time to Build |
6-9 months |
6-9 months |
4-5 months |
2-3 months |
Insurance Premiums # |
*** |
** |
* |
**** |
Overall Cost |
** |
*** |
* |
**** |