More About Insulating Concrete Forms
Insulated Concrete Forms
Whether you're building a concrete home or a multi-level commercial structure, you can't beat the rewards of building with Insulated Concrete Forms. Insulated concrete forms provide a lightweight, high-strength alternative to using steel or wood frames.
What are insulated concrete forms?
Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are hollow foam blocks that are stacked into the shape of the exterior walls of a building, reinforced with steel rebar, and then filled with concrete. Insulated concrete forms combine one of the finest insulating materials - Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) - with one of the strongest structural building materials - steel reinforced concrete. The result is a wall system of unmatched comfort, energy efficiency, strength and noise reduction.
What's the difference between insulating concrete forms and insulated concrete forms?
Both phrases are used throughout our website - they mean the same thing. However, the term insulating concrete form is more precise because it indicates that the insulating characteristic of the form is continuous and ongoing.
What are the advantages of an insulated concrete form structure?
Insulated concrete form structures are much more comfortable, quiet, and energy-efficient than those built with traditional construction methods. The top benefits of ICFs are as follows:
- Environmentally Friendly
- Energy efficient means lower energy costs
- STC rating of 51+ - makes for a very quiet space
- Low maintenance
- Safe and strong for increased security
- Fire rated up to 4 hours
- Lower insurance premiums
- Termite resistant
- Improved air quality, mold and mildew resistant
- Energy Star Certified
Read more below.
ICF Benefits
Insulating Concrete Form Structures are Comfortable and Quiet
When planning a new home, consider the benefits that come from living with a constant, even temperature, sharply reduced drafts, and noticeably greater quiet. That's what you get when your home is constructed with insulating concrete forms.
When surveyed, over 80% of ICF homeowners mentioned the greater comfort of their home, compared with just 22% of frame home owners.
Green Energy & Efficiency
The high thermal mass and minimal air infiltration of insulating concrete form walls create a more uniform and stable temperature throughout your home. You'll have no more hot spots or cold drafts. This saves you money on your energy bill as well!
Healthier Air
ICF walls reduce air infiltration by 75%. The effects of hay fever, asthma, and other airborne allergies can be greatly alleviated as a direct result of the reduced leakage of outside air, which brings dust, pollen, and other pollutants.
Indoor air pollution is a great health concern today. ICF walls emit no toxins, no offgassing and have no CFCs or HCFCs. The measurement of air contents of actual ICF houses shows an almost complete absence of any emissions.
Quieter
Insulating concrete form homes provide unparalleled peace and quiet and true protection from outside noise. In sound transmission tests, ICF walls allow less than one-third as much sound to pass through than regular frame walls.
Sound rating: 51