Business in general, and the construction and building sectors specifically, are more competitive, cost-conscious and environmentally aware than at any other time in our nation's history. With profits shrinking and consumers choosing more and more 'green' developers, a product that has been around since the mid 1990's is gaining ground in developments across the country.

E-Crete or Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC), according to the Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Products Association, is manufactured from common and abundant natural raw materials with the finished product up to twice the volume of the raw materials used. Plus, the energy consumed in the production process is only a fraction compared to the production of other materials, and the manufacturing process emits no pollutants and creates no by-products or toxic waste products.

"AAC is made with all fine aggregates, nothing more coarse than a grain of sand, cement and a natural expansion agent that causes the concrete to rise like bread dough, with countless small air pockets. In fact, this concrete is 80 percent air," says the AACPA, whose mission is to nurture and champion the autoclaved aerated concrete industry, by creating and maintaining a dynamic network bringing together resources, knowledge, and innovation. "AAC has proven to be a very durable material. It will not rot, warp, rust, corrode, or otherwise decompose and provides a very low maintenance building, saving considerable time and money in upkeep over the life of the building."

In addition to being durable, of high quality and environmentally sensitive, AAC provides architects, developers and contractors – and their customers -- a variety of other benefits. A list includes:

High Thermal Insulation: Buildings constructed with AAC tend to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter. An AAC wall provides solid insulation, without the thermal bridging (cold spots) associated with through-wall framing members or fasteners. As a result, the building's air conditioning or heating use may be lower and makes the use of additional thermal insulation unnecessary.

Published: August 13, 2008

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Peter L. Mosca is president and founder of BAK Communications, Inc. He has over 22 years of communications and media consulting experience, serving a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the CCIM Institute and the REALTOR Association on all three levels – national, state and local. He is the Spokesperson Trainer for the CCIM's Jay Levine Academy and trains hundreds of residential REALTORS nationwide to be effective industry spokespeople. He is consistently ranked as "excellent" by about 90% of those who attend his presentations. While his principal consulting focuses are public speaking and media relations development and content delivery and management, Peter is also the host of the Voice America Network's weekly radio program, "Income Property Investment Talk," a one-hour program that brings the powerhouses of commercial and residential real estate to property investors every Wednesday at 11 a.m. EST. Peter is married 17 years to his wife Barbara. They have two children: Ashley, 15 and Kelli, 12. Hence, the name BAK Communications, Inc.