Insulating Concrete Forms-ICF
What are ICF Foundations made of?
ICF Foundations are made up of large, hollow foam blocks which lock together similar to Lego bricks. They are stacked into the shape of the exterior walls of the building, reinforced with steel rebar, and filled with concrete.
Benefits of an ICF Foundation
- Energy Efficiency-due to their high thermal resistance or R Value, ICF's keep heating costs lower in the winter and cooling costs lower in the summer due to the large thermal mass of the exterior wall envelope.
- Homes built with an ICF exterior wall use approximately 44% less energy to heat, and approximateely 32% less energy to cool in comparison to wood framed homes.
- Strength-ICF structures are up to 10 times stronger than wood frame structures. They can withstand a hit from a severe storm, and will never be weakened by wood rot or mold.
- Nothing blows through reinforced concrete so there are no drafts or cold spots.
- Sound Proofing-acoustic transmission from outdoor sounds is greatly decreased.
- Fire Protection-ICF walls can have up to a 4-6 hour fire resistance rating.