Could your home survive a spin on the surface of the sun? No? A NileBuilt home could (probably). That’s over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s ghost pepper hot. That’s middle of a microwaved Hot Pocket hot. NileBuilt is a materials company taking a step into the production home world. The critical difference is NileBuilt uses a concrete material with a hyper-insulating core to build its homes. This makes their homes fire resistant, efficient, quiet, and cool. We thought that sounded interesting, so we talked with Scott Long, the cofounder and CEO of NileBuilt, on the latest New Home Insights podcast
Featured guest
Scott Long, Co-Founder and CEO/CTO, NileBuilt
When mass matters
- The 100–200 tons of concrete that make a NileBuilt home creates tremendous thermal mass. This yields a crazy-high static R-value. Though I have no idea what that means, I know it’s good.
- The key is this means a NileBuilt home is a good friend to have in a fire. Wood-framed homes burn at about 600 degrees. If your neighbor’s home catches fire, it will generate heat of 2,000 to 2,500 degrees. Concrete will withstand that. Wood will not.
- But the process also yields an incredibly energy-efficient home. Though new home builders have made leaps with energy-efficient technology, concrete homes can be cooled at night and retain that coolness throughout the day with remarkable efficiency.
- NileBuilt homes are also sound resistant, both within and without the home. So that loud party next door or the loud tween in the next room both fade into the background.
- They are wind resistant as well. Hence, NileBuilt is currently active in California and Texas, two places where wind and fire really matter.
- (The “earth” part of the title, btw, is concrete. I know, that was a stretch.)
But what do they look like?
- NileBuilt has a menu of about 12 floor plans ranging from 1,000 to over 5,000 square feet.
- The demands of its fire-resistant technology necessitate flat roofs, and NileBuilt leans toward a contemporary look.
- Flat roofs, a very modern aesthetic, and limited plan options mean NileBuilt will not be for everyone, but the company will continue to add new looks and plans as it expands.
And also, what does it cost?
- Build costs are comparable to stick-built construction.
- NileBuilt is aiming for a digital experience where buyers can pick their plan, their parcel, their amenities and put their choices in their checkout basket.
- Next up is developing and building production neighborhoods, focusing on affordable price points, and trying to turn renters into buyers.
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