BENEFITS
The benefits to building a residential home or commercial building out of insulated concrete forms are endless. Learn more about them below.
Energy Efficient
Not only does concrete have a great deal of thermal mass which acts as a thermal battery (it reduces the effects of outdoor temperature fluctuations on the interior environment), but there is also insulation on both sides of the concrete so your wall temperatures won’t change throughout the day. The two layers of continuous insulation also greatly reduce the size of the heating and cooling equipment that a building needs. ICF walls are also less drafty than wood-frame walls. The benefit of a less drafty home is the way the home feels and lives. With a more consistent temperature throughout the home, there is typically less need to change the thermostat up and down. Overall, this means less energy is required to heat and cool your home – which is a savings that could add up to 20% to 50%!
Quieter Home
Standard wood framed walls have a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of 33-38, whereas an ICF home has a consistent STC rating of 54. ICF walls provide you a quieter home, limiting sound penetration into your home. ICF wall systems' thick concrete walls reduce sound by 30%, which makes them an ideal alternative for buildings nearby high traffic zones.
Fire Resistant
ICF possesses a 4-hour fire evaluation. It will not combust. Even if a fire is within your home, ICF walls will stand through a fire since they are made with concrete. Concrete also slows down the spread of fire with its thermal resistance. This additionally helps prevent the spread of fire from your home to another, stopping the fire when it reaches your exterior walls.
Water Resistant
Insulated concrete forms are resistant to water and moisture damage. When a waterproof membrane is applied to below grade walls, ICF allows for foundation walls to be waterproof. Unlike walls of wood or other building materials, the Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) insulation and concrete of an ICF will not rot or deteriorate when exposed to water or moisture. Wood will degrade and rot if not properly protected from moisture, but concrete is not subjected to the same degradation. Plus, the ICF system is designed to allow moisture to exit the frame.
Disaster Resistant
Concrete is an incredibly strong material, and homes built with ICFs are much more resilient to natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, compared to homes constructed with other materials. The steel-reinforced concrete build of ICF blocks also makes them a great candidate for use in storm shelters. ICF walls are strong enough to withstand up to 250 mph hurricane winds and tornadoes, earthquakes, and are fire-resistant for up to 4 hours.
Faster Build Time
There are several different time and financial savings during the build when using ICF, potentially saving you up to 4 months compared to a wood framed home. ICF saves steps in both the exterior and interior construction. There are no waterproofing systems used on the exterior walls of the structure since both the ICF blocks and the concrete are waterproof and weatherproof, such as house wrap and exterior sheathing. Insulation is complete when the walls are built compared to the additional time, material and labor costs of a traditional wood framed home. There is no need to spend the time and money to protect wood from moisture.
Healthier Air Quality
ICF has no HCFC, formaldehyde, fiberglass, or asbestos and there are no harmful CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) used to manufacture them. ICF walls provide a tight, low air filtration wrap to your home which is the first step in controlling your indoor air environment. ICF walls reduce air infiltration by 75%, eliminate dust mites, and help prevent mold. Airborne allergies can be greatly impacted as a result from less outdoor air infiltration.
Lower Insurance Premiums
Because ICF walls are so resistant to wind, fire, and flooding, your homeowner’s insurance premium may be lower than it would be with traditional wood-frame walls.