Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF's)
ICFs are hollow "blocks" or "panels" made of plastic foam that construction crews stack into the shape of the walls of a building. The workers then fill the center with reinforced concrete to create the structure. There are over 20 brands of ICFs in North America, each with some variations in design and materials.
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CA Energy Commission- Insulated Concrete Forms
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Foam blocks called insulated concrete forms or ICFs, offer a new style of concrete construction for residential as well as commercial structures. These hollow blocks are pounds lighter than standard masonry blocks because they are made of expanded polystyrene - similar to the white, insulating foam used for take-out coffee cups. They either stack together like giant interconnecting, toy building blocks or are separate panels connected with plastic ties.
During construction, the forms are filled with concrete, becoming a permanent part of the wall assembly as well as adding a two-inch thick layer of foam insulation to each side of the wall. Reinforcing bars can be added for earthquake safety.
Boasting an R-value (link to glossary) of 21 and up, foam block walls are so well insulated that manufacturers predict a home's monthly heating and cooling costs can be reduced up to 75 percent. As a result of the added insulation, the size of the home's heating and cooling system could be reduced by as much as 50 percent. The walls are fire, earth quake and termite resistant, and the layers of foam insulation provide excellent soundproofing as well as backing for drywall on the inside and stucco, lap siding or brick on the outside.
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Durisol
The Durisol Wall Form System is the original insulated concrete forming system (ICF). It is the only ICF system that does not use foam or polystyrenes and is made from our unique proprietary material. (compare with other ICFs)
As you will see, Durisol lends itself to below- and above-grade building construction.
We provide a cost effective solution to many commercial, residential, industrial and agricultural building designs. Our product is the foundation to green building - from passive solar design to environmentally energy efficient construction.
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Insulated Concrete Form Assn
ICF are basically forms for poured concrete walls, that stay in place as a permanent part of the wall assembly.
The forms, made of foam insulation, are either pre-formed interlocking blocks or separate panels connected with plastic ties. The left-in-place forms not only provide a continuous insulation and sound barrier, but also a backing for drywall on the inside, and stucco, lap siding, or brick on the outside.
Although all ICFs are identical in principle, the various brands differ widely in the details of their shapes, cavities and component parts.
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