Concrete Masonry is More Cost-Effective Than Traditional Lumber
As the nation has begun to emerge from the pandemic, lumber prices have skyrocketed — more than tripling in some cases as demand soared amid supply chain bottlenecks. These higher prices can add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of a new home.
Smart homebuyers and architects will want to take this moment to look at how concrete masonry construction can better serve their needs, providing an affordable and durable alternative to traditional lumber construction.
Price difference erased
Typically, concrete is far more expensive than lumber. But the price difference has mostly been erased with lumber’s increased cost — and in some markets, building with concrete masonry is actually cheaper than building with wood. Building a house with concrete masonry units (CMUs) offers many benefits and long-term savings opportunities.
For instance, owners of homes built from concrete masonry could see significant lifetime savings on insurance costs. Studies in Charlotte and Atlanta found premiums for property insurance were 2.5 to 3 times cheaper for masonry buildings than for wood structures.
Builders also experienced insurance savings with building risk insurance premiums for masonry construction about half of those for lumber construction.
Concrete masonry buildings are stronger and more resilient than buildings made of lumber, and less prone to mold or water damage. Not only are they tough and resilient, but CMUs can be crafted into attractive, visually appealing buildings.
Versatile, attractive construction
CMUs are one of the most versatile products in the construction industry, used for foundations, structural frames or the building itself. ACME Block & Brick produces CMUs in a variety of colors and textures depending on the aesthetics of the project, and our blocks come in both smooth face and split face textured styling.
The spiking prices of lumber only highlight the many advantages of concrete masonry construction. ACME Block & Brick provides the highest standards of quality across our seven locations. We deliver the best service to understand and meet your needs.
