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mycleverusername t1_j42rpm3 wrote

Why would this be cheaper? From what I understand, they 3d print the walls, then you have to go back in and fur out and drywall all the interior walls so you can install insulation, plumbing and electrical.

So where's the savings? You are just replacing the exterior siding and finish, the rest of the house is the same as building it traditionally. Seems like this would be more expensive.

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Ok-disaster2022 t1_j43xo2x wrote

The Concrete isn't just siding, it's structural. So depending on the roof design the interior space can be entirely changeable with no interior structural walls. Also concrete is more resistant to wind damage. If you see a single home standing while all the neighbors are flattened, it's probably a concrete home or has other significant structural improvements.

My statement is a lot of ifs though. However single family homes aren't the optimal method for affordable housing or effective infrstructructual and city planning. Multifamily construction can be far more energy and resource efficient, if designed and implemented correctly.

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mycleverusername t1_j46wdz6 wrote

Yes, but what I'm saying is that per the building code, you need insulation. You also need electrical (but obviously that can be face-mounted). Perhaps some of the interior walls can be painted concrete, but the exterior walls will all have to be studded and drywalled (in most areas). Those studs can also be structural. So you are basically installing 2 structural walls instead of one.

All of the "savings" that these houses claim to have can easily be done with standard, current construction practices; you just need the lead time and planning to do it. Which is exactly why no one does it.

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Schnort t1_j4olga5 wrote

You don’t need interior walls because the exterior walls aren’t strong enough.

You need interior walls because the joists aren’t stiff enough to support the ceiling and the exterior walls need something to keep them from bulging/falling outward as the weight of the roof transfers to them.

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Maxamillion-X72 t1_j44v807 wrote

There are spaces within the concrete walls for insulation and utilities. They may not drywall the inside. Parge coat it and spray it with a concrete sealer, then either paint or install prefab panels, tiles, stone veneer, shiplap, etc.

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mycleverusername t1_j46uwon wrote

No, those spaces have rebar in them and will be filled with concrete. Otherwise the structure would have no lateral strength at all.

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