CHalk Hill - Insulated Concrete Forms

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are insulated building blocks used to form walls, and even roofs, before being filled with concrete to make energy eficient and durable structures. The ICF green advantage is high energy efficiency coupled with low lumber content.

ICF = Fortified

ICF construction utilizes a building's insulation in (typically in the form of interlocking blocks) as the stay-in-place formwork that is used to produce a reinforced monolithic concrete building shell - featuring extremely

high wind and impact resistance
high thermal mass
low sound transmission
low heat conduction and radiation
low air infiltration

Solid walls mean:

no spaces for moisture to accumulate and degrade indoor air quality
no spaces to harbor rodents or termites
no spaces to sustain flames
no hot and cold spots

Green = All ICFs are not equal

There are many ICF systems on the market to day and while all offer a reduction in environmental footprint over stick-framed construction, some are "greener" than others.

Since the concrete core has a low insulating value, ICFs with polyurethane cores offer the highest energy ratings. Some ICFs offer as high as 60% recycled content.

ICF roof systems can support roof gardens

high efficiency; R~22-30 walls
zero air infiltration
termite and mold resistance
non-toxic - no off-gassing
fire-rated
extreme longevity

Building green: looking more sensible all the time!

Lifecycle Costs Vs. Payback

Depending on design, ICF construction imposes a 5-15% premium over conventional construction. This is offset by 25-40% lower energy bills, high termite and fire resistance, and reduced environmental costs from construction.

Up-front costs vs. long-term savings is a major issue with many green bulding technologies. A large investment at the time of construction is often required in order to reap the long-term benefits of energy savings. Some installations break even only in the seventh or eight year.

The construction cost premum of ICFs can be mitigated by smaller heating and cooling systems, less jobsite waste and lower insurance costs.

ICF = Comfort

ICFs were first patented in Canada in 1966 and have steadily grown in popularity and diversified in variation. Overwhelmingly, the appeal is interior comfort.

New ICF homeowners delight in stable interior temperatures and lower utility bills, but are usually amazed by the remarkable quiet of their living spaces. Some ICFs transmit less than one sixth of the sound that passes through typical wood frame insulated with fiberglass - so even homes with busy outside noise become peaceful refuges.

ICF homes are the ultimate protection in disaster prone regions - a cast-in-place steel-reinforced concrete shell that is literally bullet-proof.