ICF Home Construction: you may have become familiar with it from the popular TV show “This Old House.”
It’s one of the most affordable ways to build the house of your dreams that is both sustainable and energy-efficient. Who wouldn’t want that?
The only problem is, people still don’t really understand what ICF home construction is. And it’s stopping them from living in a house they love.
Well, don’t worry. We’ve got your back. We’re here to present the five most important facts that you need to know about ICF construction (And we’ll also talk about the cost of ICF construction).
1. It’s Usually Stronger Than Traditional Construction
They design ICF homes to withstand harsh weather like hurricanes, which can destroy brick and wood structures. The walls stay straight even when confronted with high winds because it’s very difficult for them to sway.
These buildings are strong because they have foundations that are really strong. And they can keep the wind out, and you don’t need to use energy too much. These buildings are the best for this type of thing.
2. There’s More Than One Kind of ICF
There are more than six types of ICF available, and each type varies slightly. The three most common types of ICF walls are:
Precast or formed – these blocks are cast in an off-site location to meet building codes, which vary by municipality.
Prefabricated – these blocks are also cast in an off-site location, but they consist of a mixture of concrete and fly ash, which is a by-product of burning coal.
Ready-mix – these blocks are made on-site with a truck that mixes raw ingredients like sand and fly ash, which is then poured into molds.
The ICF mixture must be poured within 60 minutes of the truck’s arrival, or it will lose strength and shrink (although this shrinkage can sometimes be addressed by using an expansion joint).
3. On the Inside, It’s Just as Nice as a House Made of Wood or Brick
There are two types of ICF: ones with their insulating material on the inside and ones with it on the outside.
These homes look just like any other traditional house because there’s no difference in construction – but their insulation gives them an exterior shell that’s stronger than most brick or wood houses.
They also have a lower heating and cooling cost, which means you save money in the long run – especially if you live in very cold climates where wooden homes need extra insulation.
4. Decoding the “ICF” Label
ICF stands for “Insulating Concrete Forms.” It is not concrete or cinder blocks. It is a trade association that represents manufacturers of ICFs like prefabricated, ready-mix.
5. There Are Advantages to Both Designs
Homes made with ICFs on the inside, as well as those with exterior insulation, provide several benefits. They’re both energy-efficient and durable.
Also, they can be built at a lower cost than other types of houses, and they’re less expensive to heat and cool.
Want to Learn More About ICF Home Construction Services?
After reading this ICF article, we hope that you will feel confident and knowledgeable when considering building with ICF homes or hiring an ICF home construction builder. We also welcome any questions from our readers.
Please visit our blog for more information on ICF construction home plans, ICF home construction cost, and what types of ICF home problems can occur if you work with the wrong companies.
