Contractor City Blog

Unlike the term “skyscraper”, the term “highrise” has a fairly widely accepted definition, though the definition DOES vary somewhat depending on the perspective of the definer. According to Emporis, a real estate data firm headquartered in Germany, a highrise is a multi-storied building with a minimum of 12 floors, OR reaching a height of at least 115 feet. While these are probably the most widely accepted requirements, there are others.

The International Conference on Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings defines a highrise as “any structure where the height can have a serious impact on evacuation”, while many in the construction industry consider anything between 75 – 491 feet a highrise, and anything over 492 a skyscraper. Regardless of the minimum height, the maximum height is going UP all the time, so, if living above the city – or even above the clouds – is you thing, read on.

Highrise history goes back a long way, back at least to the Romans who had buildings up to 8 stories high, despite the fact that technology did not allow for water to be pumped up that far. Walled cities in the middle ages meant city space was limited, giving Continue reading ‘Highrises – Fact, Fiction, Fun, and for Sale’ »

Most home buyers know that homes built of solid concrete are stronger than homes built of most other building materials. While that is a solid advantage of buying or building a concrete home, there are many other benefits to building with concrete, and especially steel reinforced, poured concrete, that the average Florida home buyer may not be aware of.

Aside from obtaining the safety, durability and security that only solid concrete can provide, concrete homes are also able to withstand hurricane and tornado force winds, are resistant to heat, fire, water damage, wood rot and insect infestation.

Maximum energy efficiency can be obtained in a solid concrete home; you can do your part to help the environment and reduce the strain on rapidly depleting natural resources simply by purchasing a solid concrete home.

Built strong for the concerned Florida home buyer

With very active hurricane seasons in 2004-2005, and yet another active season expected in 2006, it is not surprising that the majority of Florida residents and those seeking to re-locate to Florida have hurricanes at the forefront of their minds. It is smart and responsible to be concerned about and prepared Continue reading ‘Why Your Florida Home Should Be A Poured Solid Concrete Home’ »