| Insulated Concrete Forms, or ICF, is a building system | | | | concrete. The polystyrene foam is what gives you |
| made from concrete that can prove unmatched | | | | continuous insulation from the top plate down to the |
| energy efficiency, toughness and comfort compared | | | | footing of the ICF wall. |
| to other more traditional methods of construction. | | | | Because polystyrene foam locks out moisture, the |
| ICF technology has mostly been used in residential | | | | concrete will cure faster and be of superior strength |
| construction, but recently, the use of Insulated | | | | after being poured into the insulated panels. Typically, |
| Concrete Forms has gained popularity amongst | | | | the concrete used in ICF walls is the same concrete |
| commercial contractors and manufacturers. | | | | that is used in traditional foundation construction. ICF |
| Using concrete as a construction material is nothing | | | | concrete, however, is usually made of a smaller |
| new. However, using concrete in ICF technology puts | | | | aggregate size to allow for smoother pouring and |
| a proven, durable material into a lightweight insulating | | | | pumping. |
| form that can be easily installed. An ICF slab is a | | | | If you are looking into Insulated Concrete Forms for |
| reinforced concrete wall that acts as a barrier to the | | | | your house or commercial building construction, |
| outside air temperature and keeps your energy costs | | | | research the construction companies who will be |
| down. ICF walls are stacked and braced and the | | | | installing it and make sure they have the experience |
| concrete is put into the form. The finished walls will | | | | to install it properly and can offer you a fair cost. |
| have attachment flanges for exterior finishing such as | | | | Keep in mind, some manufacturers of ICF walls ship |
| siding and interior finishes as well. | | | | pre-assembled materials to minimize on-site labor. A |
| The technology behind Insulated Concrete Forms has | | | | qualified construction crew can install the ICF walls |
| been around since the introduction of polystyrene | | | | easily with very little waste products. Take into |
| foam in the 1970's. The polystyrene foam acts as a | | | | account the shipping costs from the manufacturer to |
| face shell with the reinforced concrete inside. There is | | | | the job site, as well as the amount of labor you'll |
| a plastic flange or tie that can support the moving | | | | need and the amount of waste that will need to be |
| and transportation of the wall and also acts as furring | | | | cleaned up and hauled away. All these factors add up |
| strips for interior and exterior finishes. Usually, the | | | | in cost that the contractor will pass on to you. Be |
| polystyrene panels are reversible with clearly marked | | | | sure to discuss these things with potential |
| plastic ties mounted in the center and embedded | | | | contractors and find the one who will get the job |
| ½ inch inside the foam, which provides greater | | | | done correctly. |
| stability during movement and the addition of | | | | |