Oklahomans opt for concrete homes

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

The Sooner State's infamous weather has some Oklahomans looking for safer houses.

An increasing number of people are building concrete homes to protect their property and their pocket books.

"It's tornado resistant, fire resistant and it's even earthquake and flood resistant," said Caleb Brown with Insulating Concrete Homes. "It's going to be safer living in one of these homes."

Brown said the demand for concrete homes as increased with rising energy prices.

"There's just a lot of driving forces in our economy that's causing our people to look at other options," he said.

Elizabeth Germann has lived in a concrete home for two years.

"I'm not worried that our house will blow away or the house is going to have any major damage," she said. "Termites aren't going to eat through our house."

Germann also said the concrete helps control the home's tempature.

Solid concrete construction costs about half as much to heat and cool, according to the Portland Cement Association.

Experts say it costs more to build a concrete home, but in five to seven years the energy savings can make up the difference.