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What are
Insulating Concrete Forms
(ICFs)?
Insulated Concrete Forms (or
ICFs) are forms or molds that
have built-in insulation for
accepting reinforced concrete. 
The first patent application for
an ICF was registered in the
late 1960’s. Since then,
and particularly in the last 4
years, ICFs have been
fast-becoming the mainstream
preferred building product
worldwide for all of the right
reasons. These large,
hollow blocks are stacked right
off of the truck and filled with
reinforcing bar and concrete.
The end result leaves you with a
high-performing wall that is
structurally sound, insulated,
has built in vapor barrier
and is ready to accept final
exterior and interior finishes.
Why should
you build with ICFs?
A better
question would be,
“Why would
you consider building with
anything else?” Here are a
few of the best reasons to build
with ICFs:
Comfort
– Nothing blows through
reinforced concrete. There
will be absolutely no drafts or
cold spots. 
ICF homeowners have commented on
how constant temperatures stay
within their homes.
Because of the tremendous
thermal mass of the exterior
wall envelope, temperature peaks
are smoothed, and therefore
homes are noticeably warmer in
the winter and cooler in the
summer.
Safe &
Healthy – There are no CFCs,
HCFCs, or formaldehydes, and
also no wood to rot and mold.
ICFs are the answer for allergy
and asthma sufferers. They
have a two-hour fire rating and
are termite and pest resistant.
But most importantly, these
structures can withstand a
severe storm hit. Have you
considered climate change into
your future structure’s design?
Flexibility in Design –
Reinforced concrete has
tremendous proven design
capabilities. For example,
how many bridges do you travel
over every day? ICF wall
systems can support concrete
floor and roof systems and give
you the ultimate in innovative
design.
Quiet –Your outside noises are
eliminated. Is your future
building site near train tracks,
airports, highways or
recreational vehicle trails?
Maybe you simply do not wish to
hear the neighbor mowing his
lawn.
Energy
Efficiency – Homes built
with ICF exterior walls require
an estimated 44% less energy to
heat and 32% less energy to cool
than comparable frame houses.
Consequently, your HVAC systems
can be downsized. Since
floor systems are hung on the
inside of the wall, real energy
savings come when you design
above-grade, thereby eliminating
a huge heat loss area in
conventional housing.
Build
Green with ICFs - Protect our
Children's Future!
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.
·
Landfilling
construction waste is reduced to
less than 1% when you build with
ICF. For every one ton of
methane produced by landfilling
practices, 20 tons of CO2 are
produced.
·
Every ICF home
saves approximately 8.5 trees
and effectively preserve
nature’s air filters. Ask
yourself the question, “How much
oxygen does sand and gravel
produce?”
·
If we can reduce
our energy bills by as high as
40%, we can reduce CO2 emissions
by the same amount. The
world’s international Kyoto
agreement insists on a reduction
of emissions by 50% just to slow
down the effects of global
warming. ICFs are a part
of the answer to CO2 reductions.
Storm
Warning!
Most
importantly, ICF walls provide
safe shelter from severe storms,
whose occurrence is increasing
in frequency as well as
severity. Provinces and
states with no past history of
tornadoes are now experiencing
them. As a result of the
recent number of hurricanes in
their areas, building codes are
being upgraded along the
seashores of the Caribbean,
Florida and the Carolinas.
Since 1983, insurance claims due
to a majority of severe storm
events have been doubling every
five years. Protect your
investment, protect your family,
and protect yourself.
Build with Insulated Concrete
Forms.
Insulating Concrete Forms are
the Right Choice!
No
CFC's
Replaces Timber
Non-Toxic
Reduced Construction
Time
Any Architectural Design
Replaces Insulation
Material
Reduces Energy Costs
Increases Resale Value
No
Structural Deterioration | 
ICF Facts
