Not Your Ordinary Masonry Block

I had wanted to make a trip to SPI and watch the walls going up, because I am excited about the materials being used. I probably won't make it and will need to be satisfied with photos but for those of you who are interested, here is the story. When first contemplating the construction of a building it was tempting to consider going "green" and energy neutral with solar and other available technology. But, then the practical issues like money, interfered with all those "feel good" ideas.

However, we are still trying to be as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible on a fairly tight budget. The use of APEX block is one of the green technologies we have chosen to implement.

Recycled Content:

Every APEX Block is made utilizing 100% recycled (post-industrial/pre-consumer) EPS #6. Each APEX Block contains 90% recycle EPS #6 by volume. An average home (3,300 sq. ft.) built with APEX Block keeps 2,477 lbs. of polystyrene out of our landfills!

Less Construction Waste:

APEX Block and ICFs provide builders with a more efficient material to reduce construction waste. Both products can be cut and reused during all phases of the wall construction. This reduction in job site waste is welcomed by builders and their owners.

Energy Efficiency:

APEX Block structures are proven to save up to 50% on heating and cooling bills. The EPS used to create APEX Block provides the magnitude of our energy-efficiency properties. Our 10-inch thick block walls provide a substantial envelope of insulation resulting in a superior thermal and sound efficient barrier to all outside elements. When compared to other foam plastic insulation materials, our insulation performance is proven to remain stable during its entire life, while other foam insulators can lose up to 30 percent of their original insulating ability. This loss of insulating value is referred to as Thermal Drift.

It makes me feel as if I am doing my part on our little sandbar by supporting a manufacturer who has a commitment to doing the right thing for the planet:

For all of us at APEX, it is not just about creating a 3-hour fire resistant building material that can help save lives, and help reduce our clients energy bills by 50% or more...it is also about a committed belief in doing what we can to make this world a better place to live.

.... the idea that we needed to create an energy-efficient, alternative building solution that would help preserve our critical forests, lessen our dependence on our natural resources, and significantly reduce our overall CO₂ footprint; we had to do something different.

Over 95% of all ICF manufacturers on the market today continue to use virgin (manufactured) EPS for their insulating forms, yet APEX Construction Systems, Inc. has refused to adopt this practice.

The human race has arrived at a critical point in our existence. The realization that almost every decision we make about everyday affairs, will have some kind of impact on our environment is very real.

Leaders of companies are in influential positions to make decisions that will have a significant environmental impact (positive or negative) in our world.

At APEX, we have made our decision...
We have chosen to exclusively utilize 100% recycled EPS in each and every APEX Block we make. Additionally, we challenge other manufacturers in the U.S. and across the world to compare the short-term benefits with the long-term environmental costs of their current manufacturing materials and processes to adopting more sensible, environmentally-friendly, alternative manufacturing solutions.