Why ICFs

Whether you're building a home or a multi-level commercial structure, you can't beat the rewards of building with BuildBlock^® Insulating Concrete Forms. BuildBlock insulating concrete forms provide a lightweight, high-strength alternative to using steel or wood frame.

Comfortable & Quiet

• High thermal mass and minimal air infiltration create a more uniform and stable temperature throughout your home.
• ICF walls reduce air infiltration by 75%: hay fever, asthma, and other airborne allergens can be greatly alleviated by the use of ICF walls.
• ICF homes provide unparalleled peace and quiet and true protection from outside noise.
• Sound rating: 51

Energy Efficient

• Energy efficiency is the core feature of insulating concrete form construction.
• Studies show homes built with ICFs require an estimated 44% less energy to heat than comparable wood frame houses.*
• Building owners are deciding it makes more sense to spend on safer, longer lasting, and more energy efficient structure than to spend that same money on utility bills.
• The R-Value of BuildBlock's polystyrene alone is R-20, compared to wood frame's R-9 to R-15.


*Portland Cement Association, Technology Brief

Affordable

• ICFs cost a little more — about 3-5% on average, but the investment is quickly recouped by the tremendous savings in energy, interest, and insurance costs.
• Consider the reduced maintenance costs and higher resell value and you can see why insulating concrete home structures are actually more affordable than wood construction.
• New U.S. homes cost $60-100 per square foot. Walls of ICFs adds $1.00-$4.00 to this figure. But since ICF houses are more energy-efficient, the heating and cooling equipment can be smaller than in a frame house. This can cut the cost of the final house by an estimated $.75 per square foot. So the net extra cost is about $.25-$3.25.
• See Affordability Analysis.

Safe

• Fire Resistant - In fire wall tests, ICFs stood exposure to intense flame without structural failure longer than did common frame walls.
• Earthquake Resistant - Concrete homes can be among the safest and most durable types of structures in an earthquake.
• Tornado and Hurricane Resistant - The walls of your ICF home provide protection for your family that is far superior to wood frame construction.

Permanent

• While wood structures only last for decades, it makes sense that a building made from steel reinforced concrete and high-density foam will last centuries.
• Neither polystyrene nor concrete will ever rot or rust. Reinforcing steel, buried deep inside and protected by concrete's alkalinity, does not corrode.

Adaptable

• ICFs are extremely adaptable to your design, making them an architect’s dream!
• Because of the innate flexibility of the foam, you can have unique footprints, arches, angles and curves as part of your design at a lower construction cost than with traditional building methods.
• ICF homes can be designed in any style, and will accept any traditional exterior finish including vinyl or wood siding, stucco, rock, and brick.

Earth-Friendly

• Building an ICF home instead of traditional stick frame home saves at least 10 trees.
• The enormous reduction in energy use — 32% to 44%* — saves our natural resources.
• The energy savings also result in less carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere on an ongoing basis.
• ICF blocks — especially BuildBlock ICFs — result in less construction waste.
• BuildBlock ICFs contain no HCFC, formaldehyde, asbestos, or fiberglass, and no harmful CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are used in their manufacture, nor is there any degree of "off-gassing."
• ICFs significantly contribute toward LEED certification.