What is Insulated Concrete Form?
Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) or Insulated Composite Concrete Form (ICCF) is a building block made from:
- Ground-up post-industrial, post-consumer Styrofoam™
- Portland cement
- Admixtures & water
When stacked, the blocks are filled with steel rebar and concrete creating an extremely strong structural grid wall system.
Benefits of ICF Block:
- FIRE-RESISTANT: Mixing cement with Styrofoam ground into an aggregate = makes block fireproof & 4 hour fire rating (does not burn at an open flame: 4,000 degrees!)
- INSULATION: ICCF has high insulating qualities due to the use of EPS (Styrofoam) and a “low infiltration rate with insulation values up to R32” according to the ICCF Perfect Block Magazine. Because of this, energy costs are lower in both hot and cold months, improving both air quality and indoor comfort.
- SUSTAINABLE: 100% of EPS in ICCF is recycled & 87% of each block volume is recycled EPS.
- SOUND: The cores, similar to CMU block, are grouted with concrete and rebar & creates load-bearing, shear, retaining, perimeter, sound attenuation, and highly insulated stem walls.
- BUDGET: Costs less than wood framing. Can be worked with standard carpenters’ tools
- STRENGTH: 700% stronger than wood or metal stud frame construction & withstands up to 250 mph winds. Panels are heavy at full length so have 2 people to move them.
- DAMAGE-RESISTANT. Termite and insect resistant because there is no wood.
- SEISMIC: Capable of being approved for earthquake zones.
- DESIGN VERSATILITY: Can form unique shapes and curves by being cut and angled.
- IMPROVED HEALTH: 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.
Check out some of our project that use ICF:
Barker Residence
Hacienda Courtyard Residence
Farrar Green Home
Ilan-Lael Center
Rusczyk Residence
San Pasqual Cultural Center
ICF resources:
Click here to read more about Perfect Block, a company that produces ICF block.
Perfect Block Contact:
Wade Vernon
Eco Building Systems
(760) 815-5766
wadev99@yahoo.com
www.theperfectblock.com
“The sisters’ rooms are better insulated in the new building so not as many of us have gotten sick. The insulated walls keep us warm from the mountain air.”
