Residential

Home Owner / Owner Contractor

Insulated Concrete Form construction is an exciting Integrated Building Technology that is vastly superior to traditional stick framing, and concrete block building methods. Building technology has seen rapid advances with builders and home owners looking for more efficient ways to build homes that are stronger, more comfortable and energy-efficient, while allowing for flexibility of design and lower future maintenance costs. With ICF you can save time, money, and get a stronger, safer, more comfortable, and highly energy-efficient home.

THE BASIC BUILDING BLOCK

WHAT IS ICF? - An Insulated Concrete Form is an expanded polystyrene (EPS) building form made for erecting concrete walls. They are designed to be put in place quickly and are structurally strong enough to withstand the fluid pressure of liquid concrete.

Each form is comprised of two pieces of EPS (expanded polystyrene) and is held together by polypropylene webs. ICF forms have a pattern of interlocking “nubs” on the top and bottom that allow them to lock together for quick and easy assembly. Rebar is placed in each course of block horizontally and vertically. Concrete is poured into the wall after are the blocks are stacked to complete the process. The combination of concrete and rebar are what make the finished product a “reinforced concrete wall.” The foam stays in place after the concrete is poured to provided insulation and an attachment for interior and exterior finishes.

Any conventional type of exterior siding or interior finish can be attached to the blocks. The insulating capacity of expanded polystyrene combined with the structural strength and thermal mass of concrete make ICF walls stronger, safer, more comfortable, and more energy efficient than typical wood framed or concrete block wall.

The insulating capacity of expanded polystyrene combined with the structural strength and thermal mass of concrete make ICF walls stronger, safer, more comfortable, and more energy efficient than typical wood framed or concrete block wall.

STUCCO

BRICK

APPLICATIONS

ICF can be used in a multitude of building applications. In residential neighborhoods, ICF homes are built on slab foundations like any other stick built home.

Once they are finished they look and feel like any other home…but have a whole lot more! see Benefits of ICF >>

PILING HOMES

On the coast where flooding is a potential hazard and building codes require, ICF homes are easily built on pilings. We do this by building an elevated slab over the piles or form and pour concrete beams to set conventional wood floor trusses and support the ICF walls.

In some cases, where the ultimate strength of concrete is desired, we can pour the roof out of solid reinforced concrete! When additional security and safe refuge is wanted, a Safe Room can be built inside the home. This is done by pouring four ICF walls and a concrete roof. We make sure to add ventilation chases and a strong inward swinging steel door.

SAFE ROOMS

The first ICF’s were actually designed to be used in basement construction up North. Although basements are less common in our region, we still have many requests to build them. Basement walls are designed to withstand the weight of the backfilled soil. Any wall area that is below grade is required to be waterproofed. In this application ICF provides much better insulation and strength than concrete block.

BASEMENTS

POOLS RETAINING WALLS / GARAGES / ADDITIONS

Other applications include pools, retaining walls, additions, and hurricane safe garages.

WHAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE WITH ICF?

• Stronger
• Safer
• Quieter
• More Energy Efficient

STRONGER- HURRICANE RESISTANT
Reinforced concrete is stronger than a typical wood framed wall
ICF walls have up to 9 times more axial load resistance than a typical wood-framed wall. Reinforced concrete construction offers enhanced protection for your home, especially in high-wind areas, and during tornadoes and hurricanes

SAFER- FIRE RESISTENT
ICF is more fire resistant than a wood wall
ICF walls are built with steel reinforced concrete and fire retardant-treated expanded polystyrene foam. Compared to wood-framed walls, ICF walls are far more likely to remain standing in case of a fire, and are far more resistant to the spread of fire.

QUIETER- SOUND RESISTANT
ICF is more sound resistant than a typical wood framed wall
An ICF’s double foam insulated concrete core acts as an effective sound barrier, dampening sound vibrations and ensuring a serene and comfortable ambience within the home.

MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT- BUILD GREEN
ICF is more energy efficient than a typical wood framed wall
ICF walls are highly insulated concrete walls, with no air spaces between studs. This vastly reduces air infiltration. When combined with an air exchange system, ICF construction technology helps even out the effect of external temperature swings and provides superior energy-efficiency as compared to typical wood-framed homes.