In 1998 alone 124,334 homes were built using a concrete home building system. The use of Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) is the fastest growing system with growth exceeding 70% from 1997.
Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) are an evolutionary method of construction which replaces conventional wood framing with stay-in-place polystyrene forms filled with reinforced concrete to create the structural walls of your building. Compared with wood frame, ICF walls have advantages in energy efficiency, interior comfort, sound attenuation, design flexibility, strength, durability, disaster resistance, pest resistance, price stability, and ease of construction. No wonder there has been such rapid growth of ICF building in North America over the past five years.
Energy Efficiency
Comparisons with similarly sized frame houses suggest that ICFs reduce HVAC energy consumption by up to 50%. Approximate R-values can exceed 30, and be as high as 50, when Thermal Mass is taken into consideration. These improved R-values mean smaller HVAC units are needed; reducing the initial investment. Couple the savings on the HVAC unit and drastically lower energy usage over the life of the home and you get significant savings.
Disaster resistance
ICF walls are inherently fire resistant. The foams used in most ICF forms are treated so that they will not support combustion. Fire ratings of 2-3 hours are not uncommon.
Wind loads can be sustained up to 160 MPH, compared to a fraction of that for wood frame construction. This high wind resistance is the result of the inherent properties of the wall system: the great weight of the concrete and the high, continuous tensile strength of the steel reinforcement that extends from the footing to the roofline.
Insulated concrete walls do not rot nor support intrusion from insects or vermin.
Sound attentuation
An attractive side benefit of ICF walls is their ability to restrict the passage of sound. Compared to framed walls, most ICF walls cut out two-thirds the sound frame walls allow to pass through.
Ease of construction
The methods and tools used are familiar to most contractors who have built with wood. ICF homes are being constructed with virtually every type of design feature popular with frame. Some attractive irregular features actually cost less in ICF construction than that of frame.
Types of systems
There are three basic groups of ICFs: panel, plank, and block. The key differences among them are their size, method of interconnection, and point of assembly. No matter which type you choose, the benefits outlined above will apply.
For more information on ICFs and building with concrete, access the Concrete Home web site at www.concretehomes.com.
To find a builder or distributor in your area (in Michigan use the list below) contact the Insulating Concrete Form Association at 847-657-9730 or search their website for a member at www.forms.org.
Contact the Michigan Concrete Association office for a list of ICF distributors and builders in Michigan. We also have much helpful information about ICF homes. | 
