20:
510:
conventional (basement) construction because of the labor savings from combining multiple steps into one step. Above grade, ICF construction is typically more expensive, but when adding large openings, ICF construction becomes very cost effective. Large openings in conventional construction require large headers and supporting posts, whereas ICF construction reduces the cost, as only reinforcing steel is needed directly around the opening.
407:
concrete, which, without special preparations, does not extend in any direction to the edge of the form. For grid and post & lintel systems, the placement of vertical members of the concrete must be organized in such a fashion (e.g., starting at opposite corners or breaks (e.g. doorways) and working to meet in unbroken wall) as to properly transfer load from the lintel (or bond beam) to the surface supporting the wall.
76:
by 48 inches long with a tongue-and-groove interlock, metal ties, and a waffle-grid core." It is right to point out that a primordial form of ICF formwork dates back to 1907, as evidenced by the patent entitled “building-block”, inventor L. R. Franklin. This patent claimed a parallelepiped-shaped brick having a central cylindrical cavity, connected to the upper and lower faces by countersink.
468:
surfaces must be covered with drywall panels or other wall coatings. During the first months immediately after construction, minor problems with interior humidity may be evident as the concrete cures, which can damage the drywall. Dehumidification can be accomplished with small residential dehumidifiers or using the building's air conditioning system.
397:
Because the entire interior space of ICF walls is continuously occupied (no gaps as can occur between blown or fiberglass insulation and a wood frame wall) they pose more difficulty for casual transit by insects and vermin. Additionally, while plastic foam forms can occasionally be tunneled through,
488:
problems could cause pipes to break, creating costly repairs. For this reason, plumbing and conduit as well as electrical cables are usually embedded directly into the foam before the wall coverings are applied. A hot knife or electric chainsaw is commonly used to create openings in the foam to lay
75:
The first expanded polystyrene ICF Wall forms were developed in the late 1960s with the expiration of the original patent and the advent of modern foam plastics by BASF. Canadian contractor Werner
Gregori filed the first patent for a foam concrete form in 1966 with a block "measuring 16 inches high
525:
costs can be much lower, as ICF homes are much less susceptible to damage from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, fires, and other natural disasters. Maintenance and upkeep costs are also lessened, as ICF buildings do not contain wood, which can rot over time or be attacked by insects and rodents.
509:
The initial cost of using ICFs rather than conventional construction techniques is sensitive to the price of materials and labor, but building using ICF may add 3 to 5 percent to the total purchase price over building using wood frame. In most cases ICF construction will cost about 40% less than
459:
ICF walls are constructed one row at a time, usually starting at the corners and working toward the middle of the walls. End blocks are then cut to fit so as to waste the least material possible. As the wall rises, blocks are staggered to avoid long vertical seams that can weaken the polystyrene
450:
ICF decking is becoming an increasingly popular addition to general ICF wall construction. ICF decking weighs up to 40% less than standard concrete flooring and provides superior insulation. ICF decking can also be designed in conjunction with ICF walls to form a continuous monolithic structure
467:
Interior and exterior finishes and facades are affixed directly to the ICF surface or tie ends, depending on the type of ICF. Brick and masonry facades require an extended ledge or shelf angle at the main floor level, but otherwise no modifications are necessary. Interior ICF polystyrene wall
406:
When designing a building to be constructed with ICF walls, consideration must be given to supporting the weight of any walls not resting directly on other walls or the building's foundation. Consideration must also be given to the understanding that the load-bearing part of an ICF wall is the
471:
Depending on the experience of the contractor and their quality of work, improperly installed exterior foam insulation could be easy access for groundwater and insects. To help prevent these problems, some manufacturers make insecticide-treated foam blocks and promote installation of drainage
534:
In seismic and hurricane-prone areas, ICF construction provides strength, impact-resistance, durability, excellent sound insulation, and airtightness. ICF construction is ideal in moderate and mixed climates with significant daily temperature variations, in buildings designed to benefit from
190:
Insulating concrete forms are commonly categorized in two manners. Organizations whose first concern relates to the concrete classify them first by the shape of the concrete inside the form. Organizations whose first concern relates to the fabrication of the forms classify them first by the
513:
ICF construction can allow up to 60% smaller heating and cooling units to service the same floor area, which can cut the cost of the final house by an estimated $ 0.75 per square foot. So, the estimated net extra cost can be as much as $ 0.25 to $ 3.25. ICF homes can also qualify for
410:
In
Australia, ICF products are considered to be combustible as they have not passed AS 1530.1-1994 lab testing. Nevertheless they have achieved AS 1530.8.1-2007 accreditation for use in some bushfire prone areas. Their application is limited to low rise commercial & residential.
350:. Standard thickness ICF walls have shown sound transmission coefficients (STC) between 46 and 72 compared to 36 for standard fiberglass insulation and drywall. The level of sound attenuation achieved is a function of wall thickness, mass, component materials and air tightness.
885:
Mahasenan, Natesan; Steve Smith; Kenneth
Humphreys; Y. Kaya (2003). "The Cement Industry and Global Climate Change: Current and Potential Future Cement Industry CO2 Emissions". Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies – 6th International Conference. Oxford: Pergamon. pp. 995–1000.
358:
ICF walls can have four- to six-hour fire resistance rating and negligible surface burning properties. The
International Building Code: 2603.5.2 requires plastic foam insulation (e.g. Polystyrene foam, Polyurethane foam) to be separated from the building interior by a
79:
The adoption of ICF construction has steadily increased since the 1970s, though it was initially hampered by lack of awareness, building codes, and confusion caused by many different manufacturers selling slightly different ICF designs rather than focusing on industry
238:, only at the top of the wall (Horizontal concrete at the bottom of the wall is often present in the form of the building's footer or the lintel of the wall below.) and vertical members, called posts, between the lintel and the surface on which the wall is resting.
255:, although ICF blocks are often larger in size as they are made from a material having a lower specific gravity. Very frequently, the edges of block ICFs are made to interlock, reducing or eliminating the need for the use of a bonding material between the blocks.
388:
ICF walls can be made with a variety of recycled materials that can minimize the environmental impact of the building. The large volume of concrete used in ICF walls has been criticized, as concrete production is a large contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
225:
For Waffle Grid System ICFs, the concrete has the shape of a hybrid between Screen Grid and Flat Wall system concrete, with a grid of thicker reinforced concrete and having thinner concrete in the center areas where a screen grid would have solid ICF material..
375:
Because they are generally constructed without a sheet plastic vapor barrier, ICF walls can regulate humidity levels, mitigate the potential for mold and facilitate a more comfortable interior while maintaining high thermal performance. Foams, however, can
321:, when used well and combined with passive solar design, can play an important role in further reductions in energy use, especially in climates where it is common to have outside temperatures swing above inside temperatures during the day and below at night.
263:
Panel ICFs have the flat rectangular shape of a section of flat wall they are often the height of the wall and have a width limited by the manipulability of the material at larger sizes and by the general usefulness of the panel size for constructing walls.
130:, similar to bridges and high-rise buildings made of reinforced concrete. Like other concrete formwork, the forms are filled with concrete in 1-foot to 4-foot high "lifts" to manage the concrete pressure and reduce the risk of blowouts.
367:), regardless of the fire barrier provided by the central concrete. Forms made from cement bonded – wood fibers (eg), polystyrene beads (e.g.), or air (i.e. cellular concrete – e.g.) have a fire rating inherently.
58:
bricks and create a form for the structural walls or floors of a building. ICF construction has become commonplace for both low rise commercial and high performance residential construction as more stringent
451:
joined together by rebar. ICF deck roofs are popular in storm-areas, but it is harder to build complex roof shapes and concrete can be poured only up to a point on angled surfaces, often 7:12 maximum pitch.
607:
217:
For Screen Grid System ICFs, the concrete has the shape of the metal in a screen, with horizontal and vertical channels of reinforced concrete separated by areas of solid form material.
521:
ICF buildings are less expensive over time, as they require less energy to heat and cool the same size space compared to a variety of other common construction methods. Additionally,
23:
This insulated concrete form is cut away to show the inner structure of the formwork and the reinforcing bar (rebar). The cavity is filled with concrete to create the permanent wall.
204:
For Flat Wall System ICFs, the concrete has the shape of a flat wall of solid reinforced concrete, similar to the shape of a concrete wall constructed using removable forms.
46:
that stays in place as a permanent interior and exterior substrate for walls, floors, and roofs. The forms are interlocking modular units that are dry-stacked (without
423:. Less-skilled labor can be employed to lay the ICF forms, though careful consideration must be made when pouring the concrete to make sure it consolidates fully and
398:
interior concrete wall, and the
Portland cement of cement-bonded type forms create a much more challenging barrier to insects and vermin than do walls made of wood.
654:
768:
331:
Insulating concrete forms create a structural concrete wall, either monolithic or post and beam, that is up to ten times stronger than wood framed structures.
1109:
Angeli C., "BUILDING SAFETY, EFFICIENCY AND COST SAVINGS - Scientific studies on ICF constructive system - Insulating
Concrete Form" - Youcanprint, 2020,
431:
is required for openings, doors, windows, or utilities, though modifying the structure after the concrete cures requires special concrete cutting tools.
19:
546:) of ICFs range from R-12 to R-28, which can be a good R-value for walls. The energy savings compared to framed walls is in a range of 50% to 70%.
1134:
148:
861:
1114:
891:
640:
943:
337:
The components of ICF systems — both the poured concrete and the material used to make the ICF — do not rot when they get wet.
754:
133:
After the concrete has cured, the forms are left in place permanently to provide a variety of benefits, depending on materials used:
921:
497:
with simple carpentry tools. Versions of simple carpentry tools suitable for cement-bonded type forms are made for similar use with
1012:
304:) typically above 3 K⋅m/W (in US customary units: R-17); this results in saving energy compared with uninsulated masonry (see
746:
1154:
1149:
683:
464:
are placed around openings to give added strength to the openings and to serve as attachment points for windows and doors.
1129:
554:
In the United
Kingdom, buildings constructed using ICF may be unsuitable for homeowners wishing to free up capital using
427:
evenly without cracking. Unlike traditional wood beam construction, no additional structural support other than temporary
1144:
1075:
582:
1139:
662:
498:
968:
836:
772:
84:. ICF construction is now part of most building codes and accepted in most jurisdictions in the developed world.
108:
161:. The form material on either side of the walls can easily accommodate electrical and plumbing installations.
347:
252:
998:
793:
947:
916:
Panushev, Ivan S.; Pieter A. Vanderwerf (2004). Insulating
Concrete Forms Construction. McGraw Hill.
543:
494:
305:
301:
60:
865:
587:
572:
39:
577:
490:
481:
424:
297:
176:
154:
137:
43:
272:
Plank ICFs have the size of Block ICFs in one dimension and Panel ICFs in the other dimension.
1110:
917:
887:
636:
127:
116:
999:"Cost and Benefits of Insulating Concrete Forms for Residential Construction | HUD USER"
472:
sheeting and other methods for waterproofing. Drain tiles are installed to eliminate water.
47:
1037:
360:
81:
334:
Structural integrity for better resistance to forces of nature, compared to framed walls.
1016:
555:
312:
904:
1123:
1076:
http://www.forms.org/images/cmsIT/fckeditorfile/ICFA%20Tech%20-%20ICF%20Effect(1).pdf
862:"Greisel Klimanorm:Cellular Concrete shows what it is made of in the event of a fire"
440:
142:
126:) are usually placed inside the forms before concrete is poured to give the concrete
64:
536:
318:
102:
704:
567:
428:
291:
234:
For Post and Lintel System ICFs, the concrete has a horizontal member, called a
96:
92:
Insulating concrete forms are manufactured from any of the following materials:
1097:
630:
515:
420:
377:
1086:"Energy Comparisons of Concrete Homes vs Wood Frame Homes", RP119 Vanderwerf
522:
287:
816:
976:
840:
725:
485:
158:
51:
35:
705:"Commercial Construction Concrete Buildings, Design for Tilt Up and ICF"
489:
piping and cabling. electrical cables are inserted into the ICF using a
364:
165:
235:
169:
181:
Regulated humidity levels and mitigated mold growth (hygric buffer)
794:"Property Value Units Test Standard – Durisol Material Properties"
444:
123:
18:
55:
1038:"Concrete Home Cost - the Cost of ICF Homes - Concrete Network"
286:
Minimal, if any, air leaks, which improves comfort and reduces
484:
can be placed inside the forms and poured into place, though
493:. while ICFs made from other materials are typically cut or
518:
in some jurisdictions ((cn)), further lowering the costs.
315:
or "insulation gaps", as is common in framed construction
1098:"'I can't get equity release on my eco-friendly home'"
251:
The exterior shape of the ICF is similar to that of a
905:
http://www.insuldeck.com/resilient-insulated-roofs/
661:. American Chemistry Council, Inc. Archived from
419:ICF construction is less demanding, owing to its
707:. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
728:. The Expanded PolyStyrene – Industry Alliance
8:
903:Resilient, Insulated Roofs with Concrete
439:ICF walls are conventionally placed on a
191:characteristics of the forms themselves.
447:connecting the walls to the foundation.
172:, brick, or other siding on the exterior
54:. The units lock together somewhat like
599:
886:doi:10.1016/B978-008044276-1/50157-4.
380:, something that is not well studied.
168:or other finishes on the interior and
149:surface burning characteristics rating
460:formwork. Structure frames known as
7:
99:(most commonly expanded or extruded)
346:ICF walls have much lower rates of
1096:Dan Whitworth (14 November 2021).
975:. Journeyman Tools. Archived from
837:"Performwall Panel System Testing"
290:compared to walls without a solid
14:
686:. The Portland Cement Association
113:Cement-bonded polystyrene beads
63:and natural disaster resistant
1059:, John Krigger and Chris Dorsi
402:Building design considerations
311:Continuous insulation without
1:
1135:Building insulation materials
635:2018, Legislazione tecnica,
583:Energy conversion efficiency
747:"Insulating Concrete Forms"
684:"Insulating Concrete Forms"
631:"Insulating concrete forms"
499:autoclaved aerated concrete
1171:
542:Insulating R-Value alone (
105:(including soy-based foam)
42:usually made with a rigid
384:Environmental sensitivity
1013:"Home | Contact Us"
659:Green Building Solutions
122:Reinforcing steel bars (
109:Cement-bonded wood fiber
28:Insulating concrete form
944:"Interior ICF Finishes"
817:"Rastra Technical Data"
476:Plumbing and electrical
32:insulated concrete form
1155:Structural engineering
1150:Earthquake engineering
924:."> Panushev, p. 58
769:"Chapter 26 – Plastic"
435:Floors and foundations
242:By form characteristic
230:Post and Lintel System
24:
751:EERE Consumer's Guide
348:acoustic transmission
253:Concrete masonry unit
34:(ICF) is a system of
22:
16:Construction material
1130:Building engineering
907:retrieved 2018-08-16
755:Department of Energy
655:"Forms and Function"
443:with embedded rebar
1145:Building technology
588:Energy conservation
573:Reinforced concrete
40:reinforced concrete
1140:Building materials
578:Thermal insulation
482:electrical conduit
371:Indoor air quality
298:thermal resistance
221:Waffle Grid System
213:Screen Grid System
177:indoor air quality
155:electrical conduit
138:Thermal insulation
50:) and filled with
44:thermal insulation
25:
1115:978-88-31668-54-5
892:978-0-08-044276-1
641:978-88-6219-292-7
608:"History of ICFs"
281:Energy efficiency
195:By concrete shape
128:flexural strength
117:Cellular concrete
103:Polyurethane foam
61:energy efficiency
1162:
1102:
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1066:
1060:
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1015:. Archived from
1009:
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986:
984:
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940:
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864:. Archived from
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839:. Archived from
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771:. Archived from
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628:Cristian Angeli,
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619:
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415:Building process
342:Sound absorption
200:Flat Wall System
97:Polystyrene foam
1170:
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1159:
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1074:ICFA access at
1073:
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1058:
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1050:Panushev, p. 16
1049:
1045:
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979:on 20 June 2015
973:JourneymanTools
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623:
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564:
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507:
478:
457:
441:monolithic slab
437:
417:
404:
395:
386:
378:give off gasses
373:
361:thermal barrier
356:
354:Fire protection
344:
328:
313:thermal bridges
283:
278:
276:Characteristics
270:
261:
249:
244:
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90:
82:standardization
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17:
12:
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1088:
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1004:
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935:
933:Panushev, p.80
926:
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896:
878:
853:
828:
808:
785:
760:
738:
726:"Types of ICF"
717:
696:
675:
653:Haefs, Brian.
645:
621:
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585:
580:
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556:equity release
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65:building codes
15:
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1019:on 2010-08-01
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969:"Cable Punch"
964:
961:
950:on 2010-11-26
949:
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927:
923:
922:0-07-143057-1
919:
913:
910:
906:
900:
897:
893:
889:
882:
879:
868:on 2014-10-06
867:
863:
857:
854:
843:on 2015-06-10
842:
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818:
812:
809:
795:
789:
786:
775:on 2014-10-06
774:
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665:on 2010-04-07
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550:Disadvantages
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667:. Retrieved
663:the original
658:
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610:. RJ Pierson
602:
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541:
539:strategies.
537:thermal mass
533:
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405:
396:
387:
374:
357:
345:
319:Thermal mass
271:
262:
250:
233:
224:
216:
203:
189:
164:Backing for
132:
121:
91:
88:Construction
78:
74:
31:
27:
26:
568:Polystyrene
516:tax credits
491:Cable Punch
429:scaffolding
292:air barrier
208:Grid System
71:Development
1124:Categories
1023:2010-04-18
954:2010-10-19
872:2014-10-04
847:2014-10-04
822:2014-10-04
802:2014-10-04
779:2014-10-04
732:2014-07-12
711:2014-07-01
690:2014-07-12
669:2010-05-06
594:References
530:Advantages
421:modularity
306:comparison
523:insurance
288:heat loss
175:Improved
614:11 April
562:See also
486:settling
326:Strength
159:plumbing
52:concrete
36:formwork
983:20 June
753:. U.S.
544:R-value
365:drywall
302:R-value
166:drywall
1113:
1100:. BBC.
920:
890:
639:
495:routed
445:dowels
393:Vermin
363:(e.g.
236:lintel
170:stucco
48:mortar
797:(PDF)
462:bucks
455:Walls
425:cures
296:High
268:Plank
259:Panel
247:Block
147:Good
124:rebar
1111:ISBN
985:2015
918:ISBN
888:ISBN
637:ISBN
616:2019
505:Cost
157:and
56:Lego
38:for
30:or
1126::
971:.
749:.
657:.
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987:.
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300:(
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