About ICF Construction
Insulated Concrete Forms and LEED Credits
With a single spec, building a home's perimeter walls out of insulated concrete forms can contribute up to 31 LEED-NC points, including all 19 points under “Energy and Atmosphere Credit 1”. As a builder, this helps you to:
- Gain recognition for green building efforts
- Validate those achievements through third party review
- Qualify for a growing array of government incentives
- Contribute to a growing green-building knowledge base
ICF Means Serious Energy Savings
Two layers of continuous interlocking foam insulation, together with the thermal mass properties of concrete, combine to provide a wall system that reduces the peak heating and cooling loads on the building. An ICF wall's built-in building envelope produces an airtight structure that dramatically reduces air leakage, energy use, and HVAC requirements.
Reinforced Concrete Makes a More Durable Home
For the last 30 years, the growth of insurance losses due to man made and natural disasters has exceeded the growth of GDP by a factor of ten. ICF walls are engineered to stand up to the ravishes of water, wind, fire and time.
Provides a Healthier Living Environment
ICF walls will provide zero nutrients for the growth of mould and mildew. In addition, the airtight nature of ICF buildings makes it easier to control and monitor airflow and contaminants. The end result is a healthier, more comfortable environment for the occupants of an insulated concrete home.
Offers Fire, Sound and Weather Protection
ICF walls have excellent fire and sound damping properties, and can reliably withstand winds up to 300 km/h. A 6.25 inch insulated concrete wall meets a four hour fire rating and can achieve an STC rating of up to 56.
Promotes Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
Building green with insulated concrete forms helps to protect our natural resources by requiring significantly less wood for the construction process. The polystyrene used in the manufacture of ICF blocks is an unavoidable by-product from the process of refining crude oil into petroleum. And the superior thermal properties of ICF allow your home to consume far less energy than a typical home.
All of this means your ICF home will truly stand out as example of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Reducing, Reusing and Recycling
Up to 50% of ICF blocks, by weight, can be made from post-consumer recycled materials. When properly planned, insulating concrete form construction produces minimal waste, and any waste that is produce is close to 100% recyclable.