By Jennifer Garrett
Madison Magazine
Special To Channel 3000

When most people think of environmentally friendly building materials, concrete is about the last thing to come to mind. Mike Kahl wants to change that.

Kahl, owner of Thermal Green Concrete Homes and Surfaces, says concrete is an eco-friendly and attractive choice for home construction.

Homes built using insulated concrete forms (ICF) have been around for years. But Kahl, who worked as a sales representative for an ICF vendor before starting Thermal Green last year, says few builders experiment with concrete construction. Concrete homes, Kahl acknowledges, cost more to build. In the past, that kept builders at bay since homebuyers usually want the most square footage for their money.

Times are changing, and skyrocketing energy bills have kindled interest in concrete homes, which can save up to fifty percent on heating and cooling bills. "When energy costs were lower, it wasn't as big of an issue," Kahl says, "but we've put out a huge amount of estimates in the past few months."

Energy savings are not the only perk. By using recycled materials in the concrete, insulation and rebar, Kahl says concrete construction cuts down on materials that would otherwise head to a landfill.

To learn more, visit the Madison Area Builders Association Home Products Show where hundreds of exhibitors will showcase the products, services and trends popular in new construction and remodeling.

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