Why build with ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) walls?

1. Comfort -  Nothing blows through reinforced concrete. There will be absolutely no drafts or cold spots. Outside cold easily travels through wood-framed walls. Being up to 9x's more resistant to thermal bridging than a typical wood-framed wall ICF walls offers superior performance when it comes to thermal bridging and air infiltration. Therefore you get even temperatures throughout the building.

2. Safety and Health - An ICF wall is also a superior structural combination of concrete and steel. When compared to stick framed buildings, an ICF wall offers greater protection from high winds in hurricane and tornado areas and from the often dangerous projectiles hurled during storms. The strong "bond beams" created within the walls from the steel rebar protect and stabilize the structure when the ground has shifted or fallen. Also, one of the great concerns in older structures today is mold and mildew found growing behind drywall, in the attic and basements. ICF walls eliminate the moisture commonly experienced seeping through concrete block or conventional concrete walls and condensation commonly found in stick frames structures. Expanded Polystyrene is a safe material without glues and does not off-gas Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) commonly found in material such as form oil release agents, plywood and chip board. There are no CFCs, HCFCs or formaldehydes, and also no wood to rot and mold. ICF walls are the answer for allergy and asthma sufferers. They have at least a two-hour fire rating and are termite and pest resistant.

3. Energy Efficiency - With the combination of a solid concrete core in full contact with an interior and exterior insulation panel, a super energy efficient wall is created protecting the indoor air temperature. A "heat sink" is created from the thermal mass of the concrete which is now very difficult to penetrate. With no air spaces or studs, which vastly reduces air filtration ICF walls evens out the effect of external temperature swings and provides superior energy-efficiency. Homes built with ICF exterior walls require an estimated average 44% less energy to heat and 32% less energy to cool than comparable frame houses.

4. Build Green and Protect our Children's Future with ICF - Our world's number one challenge is to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that is being discharged into our atmosphere. The earth's relatively sudden warming and consequent dramatic effects of climate change are directly related to these carbon dioxide emissions. Landfill construction waste is reduced to less than 1% when you build with insulated concrete forms (ICFs). Every ICF home saves approximately 8.5 trees and effectively preserve nature's air filters. Also, if we can reduce our energy bills as high as 40%, we can reduce CO2 emissions by the same amount.