Concrete as a building material will last without much maintenance for centuries. Concrete is an architecturally diverse material and a well-designed and-executed concrete structure is also modifiable indoors, making it possible to renovate an entire building.
Concrete insulates sound and heat
Concrete structures are very tight, which helps to save both cooling and heating energy. They have good soundproofing properties and do not emit any gases indoors. Concrete does not radiate, burn, foster mildew or add to the fire load of a building. It will last safely for centuries, making it a solid choice for builders.
Concrete, as an inert material, hardly dissolves emissions into water or soil. This is why its use for drinking water storage and pipelines is common. It is a safe building material for foundation structures even in aquifers. Dissolution tests have shown that organic substances in concrete are generally not soluble at all. The heavy metal residues that come with inorganic substances such as possible soluble salts are extremely small.
Virtually emission-free concrete is safe for people with allergies
The emissions of concrete into indoor air meet the requirements for Emission Class 1 for finishing materials of the Building Information Group in Finland. Total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) emissions are already below the measurable limit for all concrete at 4 weeks of age.
Emissions of formaldehyde and ammonia are negligible. However, at the construction stage, special
attention should be paid to the moisture content in the concrete coating and the functionality of the material combinations. Concrete also does not mildew.
Information on concrete construction
These pages are aimed at professionals in the field of concrete construction. Here you will find information about today's concrete construction, its development, new innovations and the enormous potential of concrete as an environmentally-friendly building material. Sources:
- New Concrete Facades, RTT-betoniteollisuus, Suomen betonitieto
- Concrete Facades 2007, Betonikeskus ry
- www.betoni.com
- www.kivifaktaa.fi