ICF is an insulated concrete
form that is an environmentally friendly building technology
the utilizes large hollow blocks comprised of recycled polystyrene
waste and cement that are used to build load-bearing walls,
shear walls, stem walls, retaining walls, lintels, and other
components of a building. The lightweight forms are stacked
like Legos creating a permanent framework for the building
structure. The hollow chambers of the blocks are then filled
with rebar and concrete. The result is a monolithic reinforced
concrete wall that is 700 percent stronger than conventional
wood framing in an earthquake. The finished product needs
no insulation, is energy-saving (R-38), resistant to fire
and strong winds, is impervious to termites, rodents, and
mold, is sound-proof, and made from 85% recycled materials
that would otherwise end up in landfills. ICF is a natural
companion to stucco and plaster finishes which can be applied
directly to the block, it is highly flexible, making it
possible to create niches, and sculptural effects carved
into the wall, is suitable for many European products that
are designed for masonry buildings, and it has thick 15
inch deep finished walls. This makes it ideal for beautiful
finely crafted Villas and European style homes that are
frequently very costly and difficult to achieve in wood
frame construction. ICF is easy to build and costs no more
than building with other construction materials such as
wood frame. The technology was developed in Austria 35 years
ago. It is a truly ‘green’ building material
for houses and commercial buildings up to 5 stories.
While there are a large number of types
of ICF, we highly recommend the type that is comprised of
a mixture of cement and polystyrene. Two companies that
make this type of ICF are Rastra Block and Perform Wall.
See links below.
