Insulated Concrete Form Construction, commonly called ICF is a type of building system that has been growing in popularity since the 1970s as awareness, familiarity with their building codes, and other benefits have increased. Instead of traditional stick or wood-built building methods, ICF uses premade interlocking forms or modules that are stacked (like Legos) without mortar to form two continuous layers of EPS foam insulation. These forms are laced with steel reinforcements and filled with solid concrete.
The ICF method offers several exceptional benefits, including a high level of wall and thermal insulation not usually found in standard home construction. However, it can be used to lay the groundwork for basements and safe rooms, or begin at the foundation and go all the way up to the roofline. They are also known to be combined with other building methods.
ICF Construction is an excellent choice for foundation walls as well as building entire structures. It offers year-round comfort and livability that you won’t find in traditional building materials. The numerous reasons to build with ICF’s include:
Energy Efficiency
ICF’s typically have an R-value ranging from r-22 and greater. This rating does not take into account the thermal mass of the concrete, which acts as a buffer that stores and releases energy as needed. The thermal mass helps to even out the highs and lows of the day. ICF’s also saves energy since the insulation is continuous and has a significant reduction of air infiltration. All of these factors combined result in lower heating and cooling costs for businesses and homeowners.
Safety and Durability
ICF walls have 8x the superior strength of wood-framed walls, so they are much more resistant to strong winds, tornadoes, and the debris that these storms can toss around. They also have a superior fire rating and will not rot or decay. Structures built with ICF’s have longer life spans, which helps reduce landfill waste. Watch this video on windblown debris and how ICF walls perform vs. wood frame walls.
Comfort
ICF walls deliver unmatched sound resistance, which helps to shut out unwanted noise from the outside, making your home more comfortable than those traditionally built. ICF’s superior performance as an air barrier allows homeowners to enjoy more steady and consistent temperatures.
Health Benefits
Paired with an appropriate HVAC system, ICF’s provide improved interior air quality. They are also non-toxic and do not support the growth of mold or mildew. The airtight walls deliver a cleaner indoor environment that significantly reduces the intake of pollen and outdoor dust into your home, which will help keep you and your family breathing easy.
At S.M Boen, we know ICFs and believe it’s simply a better building method when it comes to building structures. For 15 years, we have been installing ICF’s for residential and commercial clients alike, and when completed by skilled professionals, its structural integrity is unmatched. Not convinced? Let our work help you decide.
Contact us online or call 612-741-2004 today for a free estimate.