25^th New American Home Features Green Building Material AAC

Orlando, FL, February 13 . . . The New American Home, an annual show house project at the International Builders Show, celebrated its 25^th anniversary this year by demonstrating innovative green building techniques. One of the most green products used in the home is autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), a versatile material that saves energy and is sustainable and healthy as well.

AAC is green in both its manufacturing process as well as in its use as panels and building blocks of a home according to Mike Quaka, general manager of AERCON, the manufacturer of AAC products used in The New American Home. "We chose to participate in this year’s show home because we believe Americans are looking for a better way to build their dream home – a way that is respectful of the environment they will leave to their children, and good for their own health and well-being. AAC products fit both of these desires," Quaka said.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, The New American Home is constructed using a systems-engineering approach incorporating NAHB’s Green Building Guidelines and the U.S. Department of New American Home Features Green Building Material AAC – add one

Energy’s Building America Program. Each component of the home was selected and integrated into the project through a systems approach of designing, testing, and redesigning. All of the home’s components work together in harmony to achieve maximum performance. This year’s home achieves high levels of efficiency through advanced HVAC equipment, use of AAC, careful installation of insulation, air sealing, and high performance windows. The show home will be "Energy Star" rated, certified "green", and an environmentally friendly home under standards set forth by the Florida Green Building Coalition, an organization dedicated to eco-friendly construction practices.

Quaka explains the benefits of building with AAC: "I don’t know of another product as all inclusive as AAC. It provides structure, fire protection, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, and can be the finished material as well. AAC brings the workability of wood to an inorganic green material that is completely recyclable, produced with little or no waste, and ready for use after a short 24-hour manufacturing process. Because of today’s economic trends in both labor and materials, the installed price is now comparable to other structural building materials, while the benefits far outweigh them.

"We in the industry are working to educate persons at all stages of construction from development and design to end user. Because AAC impacts so many facets of construction, its appropriate use and benefits need to be explained so that codes and use are in sync. For example, because of its thermal benefits, sizing of the heating and cooling system of each structure needs to be reduced when compared to conventional systems.

"So various testing bodies, code officials and industry organizations are currently working on further research to document best practices using AAC. Some standards have been published, while others are in the works, from such organizations as ASTM, the International Building Code, the American Concrete Institute, the Masonry Society, the Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards, the Portland Cement Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, ASHRAE, UL, the National Institute of Building Sciences and others.

"What is required for AAC to realize its full potential to revolutionize the US construction industry? First, the appropriate ingredients, parts and pieces, and techniques will continue to be documented. Then, installers will get educated on how to estimate a job, judge crew sizes and the required abilities of each crew member. With AAC, you must think more like a carpenter than a mason. You can cut it with a dry saw, shape it, and screw into it without pre-drilling. Interface between other products will be explored for best practices."

For more information about building homes with AAC, contact Allan Zukerman, director of marketing, AERCON, 317-554-6204.