What can ICF be used for?

The ability to cut the form into any desired length and shape means ICFs are great for building curved walls or other interesting architectural elements. It is also the ideal material for creating basements, particularly finished basements, as it is superior to traditional leaky and cold basement building materials. The best part is that you won't be left with an ugly grey concrete house at the end of it–ICFs are generally finished with stucco or brick facades to match your preferred aesthetic.

How much does ICF cost?

While ICF may cost slightly more at the outset, the advantages in construction provide a number of benefits over traditional concrete block construction.

First, insulated concrete forms result in a building that costs less to heat and cool over the life of the building due to superior insulation properties. The material does not decay and provides extremely high degrees of wind, fire, insect and impact resistance.

All of these factors can help lower your insurance rates, saving you money in yet another way.

How thick are ICF walls?

ICF walls can be four inches to a foot or more. The thickness of the walls helps determine the energy efficiency and strength of the building. Thicker ICFs are used for large commercial buildings or in areas that experience extreme temperature fluctuations.

Does ICF need insulation?

The foam pieces of the form are usually a few inches thick to add structure and create another natural barrier between your beautiful new home and the great outdoors. Because the form locks together during construction and stays in place afterwards, it provides such a tight barrier that no additional insulation is needed. All you need to do is put up drywall on the inside and plaster your preferred exterior directly to the outside of the form.

How is ICF a green building material?

Concrete-like substances have been around for centuries and one of the reasons it is so popular is due to its inherent green qualities. Concrete maximizes the use of recycled materials such as fly ash, slag, silica fume, and other crushed concrete. It also uses less energy to produce concrete than wood or steel products. Use of concrete and ICF also means less construction waste since exact amounts can be used.

How fast can ICF be installed?

ICF construction offers faster installation compared to conventional building methods. ICF has a relatively simple installation process, meaning fewer workers are needed, the stress on the workers is lessened, the construction has a smaller impact on the environment (less heavy machinery needed), and results in a large reduction of construction site waste. Concrete can also be poured in a wider range of temperatures so your building timeline is not delayed by weather.

What's the difference between ICF and SIP construction?

While ICF is our primary building system, structural insulated panels (SIPs) offer another alternative in wall and roof construction. SIPs are constructed of oriented strand board frames that are filled with insulating foam. Both systems share important benefits: superior heating and cooling efficiencies, lower long-term operational costs, exceptional durability, and design flexibility.

Both ICFs and SIPs can be used with less site disturbance than traditional construction methods and result in a lower volume of construction waste. The main difference lies in their core structure—ICFs use concrete for structural strength, while SIPs rely on the composite strength of their panel design. Our team of structural engineers can help you determine the right approach for your project.