Post by ogeezer on Nov 15, 2006 10:18:21 GMT -6
I've been getting a lot of questions about ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms) looking to incorporate the system into their new homes as a way to lower heating & cooling costs. Well, here's some info on the subject.
Insulated Concrete Forms (or ICFs) are forms or molds that have built-in insulation for accepting reinforced concrete. The first patent application for an ICF was registered in the late 1960’s. Since then, and particularly in the last 4 years, ICFs are built to stay concrete forms made from rigid plastic foam that holds concrete. The foam sections are lightweight and result in energy-efficient, durable construction.
The ONE main drawback to using them in home building is in heavy Termite areas, particularly the Texas Gulf Coast inland to the Hill Country, termites can easily bore through the material to get to the home's wood structures, making ridding a house of the pest more difficult and expensive. But for industrial applications or even building of storm shelters or root cellars, the ICFs are great.
ICFs consist of insulating foam, commonly expanded polystyrene (EPS) or extruded polystyrene (XPS). The three basic form types are hollow foam blocks, foam planks held together with plastic ties, and 4 x 8 panels with integral foam or plastic ties.
ICF material cost ranges from about $1.75 to about $3.50 per square foot, excluding installation labor, reinforcement, bracing, and concrete placement.
Insulated Concrete Forms (or ICFs) are forms or molds that have built-in insulation for accepting reinforced concrete. The first patent application for an ICF was registered in the late 1960’s. Since then, and particularly in the last 4 years, ICFs are built to stay concrete forms made from rigid plastic foam that holds concrete. The foam sections are lightweight and result in energy-efficient, durable construction.
The ONE main drawback to using them in home building is in heavy Termite areas, particularly the Texas Gulf Coast inland to the Hill Country, termites can easily bore through the material to get to the home's wood structures, making ridding a house of the pest more difficult and expensive. But for industrial applications or even building of storm shelters or root cellars, the ICFs are great.
ICFs consist of insulating foam, commonly expanded polystyrene (EPS) or extruded polystyrene (XPS). The three basic form types are hollow foam blocks, foam planks held together with plastic ties, and 4 x 8 panels with integral foam or plastic ties.
ICF material cost ranges from about $1.75 to about $3.50 per square foot, excluding installation labor, reinforcement, bracing, and concrete placement.