Insulated Concrete Forms or ICF’s

Insulated Concrete Forms or ICF’s

Simply put ICF is a forming system for concrete. Since many people have never seen an ICF, think of them as giant Lego® building blocks. Once we install your footing or slab the ICF’s are stacked in staggered courses to form your wall system (basements, garages, first, second and multiple story walls) in both commercial and residential applications. Once concrete is placed in them the form stays on as a permanent part of the wall assembly. Once the walls have cured, they form an incredibly strong monolithic structure that is permanent and non-deteriorating.

ICF’s are pre-molded interlocking blocks with plastic ties. Custom Concrete Graphics use ICF’s that have inner concrete cores of 4-, 6-, and 8-inches wide. With the 2 plus inches of polystyrene on each side your outside measurements can range from 8” to approximately 12”. Finish materials such as drywall, exterior stucco or sidings attached to web’s or ‘studs’ that are an integral part of the system spaced every 6 inches.

Quick History Introduced in Europe, ICF's have been in use around the world for over 30 years. Manufactures of these systems number in excess of 50 throughout the US and Canada making ICF’s in a variety of shapes and sizes for use in foundations, basements, multi-story dwellings, and commercial facilities. The Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) is among the fastest growing segment in the residential and commercial market today. It is a superior alternative method to traditional "stick frame" construction and it will be the way houses and light commercial structures are built in the future.

Although ICF’s represent less than 1% of the residential market today, acceptance is accelerating. By 2005, ICF’s will represent as much as an estimated 8% of the residential market, putting a challenging on traditional stick-frame wall construction. Every year the number of homes built with ICF's doubles. Significant advantages coupled with rising lumber and energy prices makes ICF's an attractive alternative for new construction.

Superior Strength Since the insulation provides an ideal curing environment, tests conducted by the Portland Cement Association have shown that concrete is up to 50% stronger than concrete cured in traditional plywood form systems.

Resistant to Fire, Earthquake, Tornadoes, Hurricanes The high-mass walls of an ICF home not only give it a remarkably solid feel, but they also make it safer for the family. Concrete homes have a proven track record of withstanding the ravages of hurricanes, tornadoes and fires, when all the stick-build houses around them are in ruins.

Excellent sound reduction

Outside noise is virtually negated. Since ICF's have a superior Sound Transmission Rating of
48-50 depending on the wall thickness, typical outside noise simply cannot penetrate through the structure to any significant degree. The exterior wall sound transmission is reduced by more than 65% so barking dogs, lawn mowers, and even airplanes are reduced to a whisper. In total only about one-sixth as much noise travels through an ICF wall.

3-4 hour fire wall vs. 20 min standard construction ICF technology can withstand extreme temperatures of up to 2000° for up to 4 hours as compared to approximately 20 minutes for a wood frame structure. Unlike conventional wood construction, ICF’s when covered with industry standard fire-rated gypsum provide a 2-4 hour firewall, which makes them an excellent choice from a safety standpoint. The plastic foams used in ICFs are so formulated so that they do not burn by themselves. Many insurance companies are giving homeowner policy discounts as high as 25% for concrete homes built
with ICF technology. This is an on-going savings for the life of the home.

Energy savings between 30-70% depending on location

With a total insulation thickness of 4"-5" these walls have a rating of R-22 +. However, due to its huge thermal mass compared to a traditional wood wall, it performs equivalent to a wooden wall assembly with an R-50 rating – if such a thing could be built. Studies by Dr. Peter VanDerWerf have shown an average energy consumption savings of 44% for heating, and 32% for cooling. This results in respectable savings again, for the life of the home.

Consistent indoor temperatures Since ICF's offer tremendous thermal mass, the inside temperature of the structure remains very constant and since there is little to no air infiltration or exfiltration, the "draftiness" often encountered in many homes is reduced substantially, if not altogether. Temperature differentials from floor to ceiling are 1-2 degrees F. in ICF homes, compared to 5-10 degrees F. in traditionally framed homes.

Speed ICFs also present no problem for the sub-contractors who come after the walls are poured. Since holes, chases and rectangles are easily cut into ICFs with a knife or saw, installation of mechanical systems is a snap. The fastening of drywall and lap siding is just as fast and easy. It isn't more difficult - it's just different

Healthy Home ICF homes provide a healthy indoor environment. Nothing held within or ordinarily emitted by an ICF wall is toxic. The measurement of the air contents of actual ICF houses shows an almost complete absence of any emissions. Due to the lack of air infiltration through the wall, your home will essentially be dust and pollen free. A life saver for persons with allergies. Please note however, that since the resulting home is so "air tight," proper ventilation, including air-to-air heat exchangers is necessary to ensure an ample supply of fresh air and exhaustion of normal household off gases. Building with ICF’s is healthier for the environment too; ICF’s minimize the number of different building products involved in construction (thereby reducing the amount of waste generated) and lower energy requirements for heating and cooling.

Man made materials saves wood / Guarantees consistent quality Over the last 10 years, concrete prices have been remarkably stable. Recent price increases in other materials, especially wood, have generated unprecedented interest in concrete building systems. Having ICF materials readily available and consistently made makes this one of the most cost competitive wall systems in the world.

Maintenance-free Polystyrene and does not rot or rust. Concrete, even exposed to the elements for centuries will show few ill effects. Reinforcing steel protected by the concrete’s alkaline does not corrode. Concrete requires far less work and money on the part of the homeowner to keep it looking like new. The three most common causes of exterior wall maintenance are termites, rotting and paint peeling or fading.

Impervious to rot, decay, and insects Concrete homes are rarely affected by termites, insects or rot. There have been noted instances that undesirable bugs have been seen moving across the wall, but only as a means of travel in reaching there goal: wood framing members, such as the roof. Here we can recommend alternative methods of construction such as metal for rafters and interior studs.

Safe / Not toxic ICF’s are made with recycled materials, actual percentages vary by manufacturer. They are highly inert and considered completely non-toxic by U.S. government agencies. They do not contain formaldehyde, nor have they been linked to respiratory problems or skin irritation, as have some fiber-based insulations. Attempts to find any emissions from olystyrene foams used in walls failed.