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Concrete
For those looking to balance resilience with comfort and efficiency, ICFs continue to be a compelling option.
An evolving solution: tilt-up, site-cast sandwich panels
While each of the concrete construction methods above brings some value to the table, they also come with compromises. Whether it’ s the cost and code ambiguity of 3D printing, the logistical complexity of precast, or the slower pace and added cost of ICFs.
One system now gaining attention for its ability to overcome many of those drawbacks is a tilt-up, site-cast sandwich panel design. Instead of casting large concrete panels off-site and hauling them in, the smaller panels are poured flat on the jobsite using
reusable forms. Once cured, they are lifted into place using forklifts instead of cranes, making the process more accessible and cost-effective for homebuilders.
The panels themselves are engineered as structural sandwich panels, with a rigid insulation core surrounded by concrete. Prestressed steel is used as reinforcement during the pour, creating a finished wall system that’ s strong, energy-efficient, and ready to weather both storms and temperature swings.
Because the panels are cast on-site, builders avoid the high transportation costs and logistical challenges of precast construction. Compared to ICFs, the tilt-up panel system, first engineered by Nonquit Homes, allows for greater control over panel size, finish quality, and integration of design features.
From a scheduling perspective, the benefits are also significant. With fewer trades required and many elements integrated into the wall panels themselves – insulation, reinforcement, exterior finish – build times can be sharply reduced. In most cases, a crew of just a few workers tilt and set panels into place.
Solid choices
The broader shift in residential construction is expected to come not just from concrete innovation, but by rising insurance premiums and more stringent building regulations on vulnerable woodframed homes.
Regardless of the method, residential concrete construction is poised to expand
rapidly in the coming years. For builders looking to stay ahead, understanding the trade-offs and strengths of each approach is the first step toward delivering smarter, safer, and more resilient homes. ■
Greg Rankin www. nonquithomes. com
Greg Rankin is a Houston-based freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience writing about construction, engineering, and the concrete industry. Nonquit Homes has developed a unique method for utilizing tilt-up, pre-stressed concrete panels in conjunction with poured-in-place concrete to transform the approach to residential home construction. This process delivers a cost-effective approach to building more durable homes.
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