Insulated concrete forms or ICF are gaining huge popularity as home building materials. As the demand for high-performance homes increases, so does the interest of people in ICF. Are ICF homes worth the cost? Yes. They are. ICF homes offer an array of benefits like faster construction times, lower energy bills, reduced maintenance and quieter interiors. However, the primary reason why ICF is becoming so popular is the remarkable energy efficiency and strength of the material.
The best part is that the architect does not have to compromise on the aesthetics of the home. The architects can design an ICF home to look like a wood-frame house. The home will still have all the added benefits of a concrete building. The floor match can be made to match any style, and ICF is compatible with all popular exterior and interior finishes.
The key to all these amazing features is the remarkable combination of concrete and foam. Regardless of the brand you choose, all ICF consists of two rigid EPS foam panels that have a section of reinforced concrete in between. The concrete allows for exceptional strength and thermal mass, while the foam provides a continuous installation layer.
Energy efficiency
ICF has a high R-value. The R in R-value stands for the resistance of the material. The higher the R-value, the better the wall will be at resisting the heat flow. EPS foam present in ICF is one of the best insulating materials yet invented.
Airtight construction
The R values are not able to accurately reflect the scenario in real world construction. Lab tests don’t consider the issues like airflow through the walls. If you have ever lived in a draft affected house, you know how significantly air infiltration affects the heating bill. Currently, a modern house will have about 3 to 6 ACH. With ICF, the ACH values are recorded at lower than 0.5 ACH.
Thermal mass
ICF will provide your home with a cooler interior during the summer months and a warmer interior during the winter months. Even a modest home made with ICF will make use of dozens of concrete yards, which will create a thermal lag.
Safety
ICF homes offer an unparalleled level of safety. They are ten times stronger than frame structures and many times stronger than cinder block construction units. This is a natural result of having the exterior walls made with steel-reinforced concrete.
Sound absorption
After energy efficiency and disaster resistance, sound absorption topped the list. You cannot even hear the traffic that is right outside your house.
In most areas, the ICF cost of construction is a little more than wood. However, in the long run, as the homeowner, you will be saving up on electricity bills. Therefore, your monthly cash outlay would be lower. The other benefits like white interiors, less maintenance and disaster-proof walls are just added bonuses at practically no extra cost. If you are planning to find more information about ICF homes, click here – https://litcore.ie/icf-systems.
