Insulated Concrete Form or ICF has been used in global construction for more than 60 years.
With numerous benefits, it’s not hard to see why.
From property protection to low cost to durability, ICF construction is a tried-and-true method to construction and can help make your home energy efficient as well.
A typical 2,500 square foot, two-story home can cost more than $150,000, but the long term benefits of building with ICF construction can pay off when you’re looking at the big picture. Whether you’re installing floors, putting up walls or building a decking system, ICF can turn the average home into one that’s properly safeguard, well-insulated and strong.
ICF walls act as a heat barrier and allow homes and building to better retain heat. As a result, ICF walls can save home owners 20 to 25% on annual heating and cooling costs according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Construction of insulated concrete form (ICF) walls takes place one row at a time and each block is 10 inches in width. To reduce waste, end blocks in each row are cut to fit.
If you live in an area impacted by tornadoes, earthquakes or flooding among other natural disasters, ICF construction is beneficial. Insulated concrete form (ICF) construction can withstand 402 kph winds, making it an ideal protector against natural disasters.
ICF’s benefits extend to flooring and basement construction too. ICF decking weighs less than concrete and has better insulation. ICF construction also reduces the number of basement steps compared to conventional building and typically costs 40% less. Overall, ICF systems can slash a property’s final costs by as much as 75 cents per square foot.
ICF construction has numerous benefits and can make a home very energy efficient and durable. With ICF walls, a home retains heat better and a homeowner can save on heating and cooling costs as a result. IFC construction also helps better protect a home from natural disasters. Basements and flooring built and installed with ICF construction have benefits too, helping to lower costs and reduce the amount of space taken up by regular concrete construction.
Are you thinking about ICF construction? Talk to a local construction company can answer any questions you have and offer more insight to the benefits of ICF construction.
