In turn, this helps to lower energy bills and decrease demand on a central heating or cooling system. By combining the sturdiness of uninterrupted concrete with the thickness of foam, the structure can withstand extreme levels of heat or cold without causing discomfort to the occupants. Another benefit of ICF walls in particular is that they feature great insulation and temperature control.As the house has solid concrete walls with no discernible seams or breaks, it is able to better withstand the effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes and storms. The strongest advantage is the impressive strength and reliability that comes from concrete construction.These homes are recognized for their thermal efficiency, which means more energy savings. That’s where ICF and concrete block construction come into the picture. This bonds the forms together and creates contiguous walls throughout the structure.Įvery year, there are more homeowners who are looking for a green construction method that is also versatile enough to accommodate virtually all architectural styles and square footage sizes. As the forms are placed in the appropriate configuration to create the walls of the home, concrete is poured inside and left to set. The key is the hollow space in between the foam walls of the forms. These forms are available in many sizes and styles, enabling their use in every aspect of a home seamlessly and efficiently. Unlike traditional wood-frame builds that use foam or fiberglass insulation, ICF construction utilizes interlocking forms with a lightweight foam exterior. ICF homes use insulated concrete forms as the primary material. Concrete block home designs use CMUs (concrete masonry units) as the primary material for construction. No special half-height blocks required.Concrete block and ICF (insulated concrete form) house plans offer a number of advantages – like improved energy efficiency – for the eco-conscious homeowner.Lowest waste of any ICF on the market today.1-inch Repeating Cut Pattern on Block Connection.Molded-in Tape Measure and Horizontal Cut Lines.Extra Heavy-duty Attachment Points (495lbs.) Located every 8-inches vertically, and 6-inches horizontally.Open Web Design for efficient concrete flow and half-height block support.Easy mechanical chases for plumbing and electrical.Rebar Support eliminates most steel tying.High-density Plastic Webs on 6-inch centers.Allows easy accommodation of electrical and plumbing installation in the foam. No foam or clips required between courses. Blocks easily stack and securely lock into place resulting in greater strength over the competition. Industry-standard 16-inch (406.4mm) high forms produce less waste when cutting around doors and windows. Longer corner design provides an automatic offset for each course. All forms are fully reversible no top, bottom, left or right. No on-site assembly required start installing right off the truck. Additionally, the customizable design of ICFs allows for flexibility in construction, making it possible to build a variety of structures, from simple homes to complex commercial buildings. The EPS foam used in the formwork is recyclable, and the long-term energy savings of ICFs can help reduce a building’s carbon footprint. The use of ICFs offers a range of benefits, including ease of installation, versatility in design, and environmental responsibility. The tight fit of the formwork also offers excellent sound insulation properties, making ICFs ideal for structures where noise is a concern. The insulation properties of the EPS foam in the formwork provide superior energy efficiency and can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 50%.
The concrete core provides excellent resistance to wind, debris, and other natural disasters, making ICFs a popular choice for construction in areas prone to severe weather events. The reinforced concrete is poured into the formwork, creating a solid and durable wall system. The foam blocks come in various sizes and shapes and can be easily cut and customized on-site to meet the specific requirements of a construction project. The formwork includes internal webs that provide a continuous insulation layer to eliminate thermal bridging and air leaks. The foam blocks are designed to interlock, creating a tight and secure formwork for the concrete.
BuildBlock Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are a building system that uses interlocking EPS foam blocks to create a formwork for reinforced concrete walls.