Is ICF Construction right for your project?

ICF construction is relatively new to building, but is becoming more mainstream every year. There are some really nice products in the marketplace, and they have some great features that can save on energy bills in the long run.

ICF's (Insulationg Concrete Forms) are a wall form that can be used above or below grade. They are primarily made of EPS, like a disposable cooler. They are usually about 2"-2 1/2" thick, and offer some very good insulative, strength, and sound reduction performance statistics. They also allow houses and other types of buildings to be constructed to resist rot, termites, and hurricane force winds. Interior finish materials like drywall can be fastened directly to the ICF.

The following photo shows a slab-on-grade foundation being constructed with ICF's.

How does one determine if ICF construction is right for a particular project? The size of the project is a big factor. The more wall there is to build, the more this type of construction will benfit the house in terms of energy efficiency. Best case is 100%. It does not pay to build unheated space with ICF's. The construction cost is somewhat higher for the same amount of standard wall, so if ICF's are used, they should be placed where they will provide the maximum benefit.

ICF's are a great product and can provide a house or large addition with enhanced energy performance, a quieter interior, and lots of strength. Be prepared for a higher initial cost, and for lower energy bills in the future.