What are Insulated Concrete Composite Forms?

Insulated Concrete Composite Forms (ICCF) are a type of concrete building block made from concrete and recycled materials.

What is ICCF made from?

• Ground-up post-industrial, post-consumer Styrofoam™
• Portland cement
• Admixtures & water

The blocks are 10 in thick, 12 in tall, and 4 ft long but because the concrete is mixed with Styrofoam™, the blocks are fairly lightweight considering their strength.

What are the benefits?

• Sustainable, low-embodied energy
• Recycled materials
• High acoustical performance
• High thermal performance
• Fire-resistant
• Extreme strength & seismic capabilities
• Health benefits
• Less layers / steps in construction

What do you mean there are less layers?

The blocks are stacked, steel rebar is placed in the cores, and then the cores are filled with concrete.

There is no waterproofing membrane or stucco lath required. The interior and exterior natural plaster is applied directly to the blocks.

Why is this important?

The use of wood, drywall, and paint, which are all high-embodied energy materials, is eliminated.

Less layers also means simplified, fast-tracked construction with less room for error and less trades required, potentially resulting in cost savings.

What are the health benefits?

There is less dust and allergens associated with ICCF because it has an air filtration rate of less than 0.5 ACH (air changes per hour), far better than other traditionally-built buildings. The amount of air that leaks through structure envelope gaps is what consists of the ACH, so the lower the number is, the better the quality of the air.

Natural plasters are healthy too, right?

Natural plasters offer several health benefits. They are breathable, allowing moisture to be absorbed and released, preventing mold and mildew growth. This helps maintain healthy indoor air quality. Additionally, they are non-toxic and emit negative ions, which can actually improve mood and reduce the effects of electromagnetic pollution.