Build Efficiently with Insulated Concrete Forms

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Joyce Benson   5 Comments |
Tag(s): Energy, Green Building

Insulated concrete forms, or ICFs, are energy efficient building blocks in which reinforced concrete is surrounded by layers of rigid insulative foam.  These blocks are lightweight, easy to work with, easy to cut and shape, yet very strong and offer outstanding structural integrity.  Built to last, ICFs are resistant to termites, mold, rot, fire, floods, hurricane force winds, and earthquakes.  Plus, many are made from recycled EPS (Expanded PolyStyrene) foam.

According to the Insulated Concrete Form Association, “homes built with ICF exterior walls typically require 44% less energy to heat and 32% less energy to cool than comparable frame homes.”  Increased comfort with more even indoor temperatures and no drafts are added benefits.  They also provide a quieter home than conventionally-built wood frame houses.

Building with ICFs offers reduced construction time and labor costs, although the up-front cost of these high-quality materials is slightly more than stick frames.  They offer flexibility in the design of a home or other building, and unique characteristics such as curved walls are less expensive to build.

Exterior finishes on ICFs include:  brick, stone, stucco, wood and vinyl siding.

Look to these companies for environmentally-friendly ICFs made with recycled content:

Comments

5 Responses to “Build Efficiently with Insulated Concrete Forms”

  1. Joon Seiner on June 12th, 2009 10:43 am

    IN Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County Home show houses were built with Reward Wall Systems ICFs (www.rewardwalls.com). They were energy star rated and heating costs were decreased over 60 percent and cooling costs by over 30%, on a 4,500 sq ft home. Also monthly energy costs for heating and Cool was 60 dollars.

    Sadly this product (ICFs) does not get the attention from the media as it should, as it would revoltionize the energy use situation in America and save incredible amounts of money for home or building owners.

  2. Philippines ICF on June 18th, 2009 8:52 am

    I am searching for a contractor who built a house in the Philippines using insulated concrete forms.
    Also here it is unknown; why???

  3. Joyce Benson on June 19th, 2009 9:12 am

    I’m not sure why ICFs are not typically used in the Philippines. Perhaps you have other building methods using other sustainable and locally-available materials there.

  4. Karen Rice on July 3rd, 2009 6:17 pm

    Thanks – we are planning to build with insulated concrete forms – seems like great, simple technology.

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