|
|
 |
Insulated Concrete Forms
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
What are ICFs?
ICFs, or insulated concrete forms are polystyrene frameworks filled with concrete and rendered to create a wall. The polystyrene framework has a high insulation (R-value) and generally does not require additional insulation.
ICF homes can be designed in any style and can be finished in any traditional exterior finish, including vinyl or wood siding, stucco, and brick. Because it is easy to create custom angles and curves, bays, bows, and radiuses are easily built in. Most popular design features can be accommodated, such as tall walls, large openings, long floor spans, and cathedral ceilings.
Benefits of ICFs
There are several benefits to ICFs. Air infiltration in a home with ICFs is minimal due to the continuous air barriers provided by the foam insulation and the concrete. Similarly, there are no convection currents within the wall cavities. The concrete walls in an ICF home have a high thermal mass. This means that the inside of the home is insulated from the extremes of the outdoor temperature during every 24 hour cycle. The home becomes much more energy efficient, and you save money on your heating and cooling bills as both peak and total heating and cooling loads are reduced. The combination of high R-values (a measure of insulation), low air infiltration, and high thermal mass means that you can have 25 to 50 percent energy savings of ICF versus wood or steel framed homes.
Homes made using ICFs are much quieter than traditionally built homes. When tested, it was shown that ICF walls allow less than one third as much sound to pass through as ordinary frame walls filled with fibreglass. Add double glazed windows and roof insulation, and you will rarely hear street noise.
ICF homes are more fire and weather resistant than other types of homes. The polystyrene used in ICFS is treated so that it will not support combustion. Its tendency to transmit an outside flame source is less than that of most wood products. ICF homes are able to better stand up to strong winds than other homes.
ICF homes are lower maintenance as they neither the polystyrene nor the concrete used will ever rot or rust. The reinforcing steel used is buried within and protected by the concrete so it does not corrode.
ICFs also allow a healthier indoor environment. This is because nothing held within or ordinarily emitted by an ICF wall is toxic. The measurement of the air contents of actual ICF houses shows an almost complete absence of any emissions.
Printer Friendly Version
References
Related Categories
Building
Building Supplies
Concrete Resurfacing