BUILDING METHODS

Insulating concrete forms are manufactured from any of the following materials:

• Polystyrene foam (most commonly expanded or extruded)
• Polyurethane foam (including soy-based foam)^[2]
• Cement-bonded wood fiber
• Cement-bonded polystyrene beads
• Cellular concrete
• Thastyron, a mixture of cement, water and recycled expanded polystyrene.^[3]

Reinforcing steel bars (rebar) are usually placed inside the forms before concrete is poured to give the concrete flexural strength, 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 12-foot high “lifts” to manage the concrete pressure and reduce the risk of blowouts.

After the concrete has cured, the forms are left in place permanently to provide a variety of benefits, depending on materials used:

• Thermal insulation
• Soundproofing
• Good Surface burning characteristics rating
• Space to run electrical conduit and plumbing. The form material on either side of the walls can easily accommodate electrical and plumbing installations.
• Backing for drywall or other finishes on the interior and stucco, brick, or other siding on the exterior
• Improved indoor air quality
• Regulated humidity levels and mitigated mold growth (hygric buffer)

Energy efficiency

• Minimal, if any, air leaks, which improves comfort and reduces heat loss compared to walls without a solid air barrier
• High thermal resistance (R-value) typically above 3 K·m²/W (in American customary units: R-17^[7]); this results in saving energy compared with uninsulated masonry (see comparison)
• Continuous insulation without thermal bridges or “insulation gaps”, as is common in framed construction
• Thermal mass, 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’s common to have outside temperatures swing above inside temperatures during the day and below at night.

Strength

• 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.
• Structural integrity for better resistance to forces of nature, compared to framed walls.
• The components of ICF systems — both the poured concrete and the material used to make the ICF — do not rot when they get wet.
• Insulating concrete forms structural system, if used in high seismic risk zones, has an acceptable ductility. ^[8]

Sound absorption

ICF walls have much lower rates of acoustic transmission. 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.

Fire protection

ICF walls can have four- to six-hour fire resistance rating and negligible surface burning properties. It is worth pointing out that the International Building Code: 2603.5.2^[9] requires plastic foam insulation (e.g. Polystyrene foam, Polyurethane foam) to be separated from the building interior by a thermal barrier (e.g. drywall), regardless of the fire barrier provided by the central concrete. Forms made from cement bonded – wood fibers (eg^[10]), polystyrene beads (e.g.^[11][12]), or air (i.e. cellular concrete – e.g.^[13]) have a fire rating inherently.

Indoor air quality

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.

Environmental sensitivity

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.^[14]

Vermin[

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, 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.

ICF construction is less demanding, owing to its modularity. 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 cures evenly without cracking. Unlike traditional wood beam construction, no additional structural support other than temporary scaffolding is required for openings, doors, windows, or utilities, though modifying the structure after the concrete cures requires special concrete cutting tools.

Floors and foundations

ICF walls are conventionally placed on a monolithic slab with embedded rebar dowels connecting the walls to the foundation.

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 joined together by rebar. ICF deck roofs are less common, as it is difficult to pour concrete on an angled surface.^[15]

Walls

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 formwork.^[16] Structure frames known as bucks are placed around openings to give added strength to the openings and to serve as attachment points for windows and doors.

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 surfaces must be covered with drywall panels or other wall coatings.^[17] 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.

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 sheeting and other methods for waterproofing. Drain tiles are installed to eliminate water.

Plumbing and electrical

Plumbing and electrical conduit can be placed inside the forms and poured into place, though settling 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 piping and cabling. electrical cables are inserted into the ICF using a Cable Punch.^[18] while ICFs made from other materials are typically cut or routed with simple carpentry tools. Versions of simple carpentry tools suitable for cement-bonded type forms are made for similar use with autoclaved aerated concrete.

The initial cost of using ICFs rather than conventional construction techniques is sensitive to the price of materials and labor, but building using ICF can generally add 3 to 5 percent in construction cost over building using wood frame.^[19] In most cases ICF construction will cost about 40% less than 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.

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.^[20][21] ICF homes can also qualify for tax credits, further lowering the costs.

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, insurance 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.^[22]