What is an icf wall system?

Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) result in cast-in-place concrete walls that are sandwiched between two layers of insulation material. These systems are strong and energy efficient.

ICF construction foundations Usually cost more to complete versus the standard wood form and pour. ICF forms require extra support during setup to ensure the forms remain in place before and after pumping the concrete into the ICF forms.

Through several studies of ICF construction costs, it has been determined that Using ICF wall construction generally adds about 3 to 5 percent to the total purchase price of a typical wood- frame home and land (about 5 to 10 percent of the house construction cost).

It is important to note that All cast concrete develops shrinkage cracks. There are things the designer can do to minimize the number of cracks and to keep them from becoming too wide, but they will occur in both ICF and CF concrete walls.

Compared to conventional foundation walls, ICFs require more rebar. However you can have a 6” thick concrete wall with ICF opposed to an 8” conventional foundation wall in most cases. Therefore the extra rebar can save you 2” of concrete throughout your foundation walls.

How Long Does ICF Last? ICF homes have a lifespan of Over 100 years, with minimal maintenance required as the foam will not degrade. It is also important to note that ICF homes can add increased protection during natural disasters.

ICF longevity

The foam in ICF walls does not degrade, and reinforced concrete is used for some of the strongest buildings around. So you can expect an ICF construction to last Well over 100 years. We’ve already seen how they perform well in storm-hit areas (high winds and flooding) and even in earthquake zones.

The benefits of ICF construction are many – energy efficiency, strength, durability, comfort, soundproofing, cleaner air, fire retardant, Bullet proof, and in many cases, insurance premium reductions.

Efficiency Ratings

In general, an SIP building Will have a higher insulation rating. Even though an ICF building has more thermal mass and therefore seemingly better insulation qualities, all of that the thermal mass will take longer to heat.

ICFs are able to offer superior insulation and both hot AND cold climates. ICF insulation keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The proven energy savings and insulating performance effectively dispel this and other common ICF myths.

ICF walls come in 4”, 6”, 8”, 10” and 12” Thickness (some manufacturers go even thicker). Generally, 4” walls are only used for non-loadbearing applications such as demising walls in apartments, hotels or dormitories.

Any type of siding can be applied to ICF by screwing or nailing it directly to the embedded webs. Textured acrylic finish systems (TAFS) are one of the most common, and also most cost-effective to apply.

Building a home addition with Fox Blocks ICFs will quickly add much-needed space to your home. An ICF addition will also increase your home’s resale value, improve its energy-efficiency, safety, and durability.

ICF walls consist of a center cavity to contain concrete between two layers of EPS which provide two continuous layers of insulation rated at R-22 and higher.

ICFs offer a substantial reduction in sound transmission and Can quiet the noisiest environments. BuildBlock forms, with 5/8” drywall on both sides, can exhibit an STC rating of 54.

Recap on ICF Roof Systems

Those are three different options for roofing an ICF house. You can go with a True ICF roof, you can install steel trusses, or you can use wood trusses. The wood truss system can upgrade to a fire-rated product as well. I hope this helps you understand what goes into planning an ICF home.

An ICF home may cost a bit more, but you’ll end up with a much stronger structure that costs substantially less to operate. ICF homes are so energy-efficient that the HVAC system has to run less often and can actually be downsized.