Why use ICF Build systems?

What is ICF?	Q/A most frequently asked questions
Why use ICF	ICF Technical build data
Using ICF	ICF villa designs
Self build options with ICF	Download Brochure and prices

Why ICF? There are so many reasons it would be easier to ask, why not use ICF?

The high insulation value of the homes means the property will be cooler in those long hot 40degrees summers and easier to keep warm throughout the winter. Make your next home a passive home with an ICF eco build.

Speed: A three man team can complete the walls of a single storey structure in just one day. Fantastic system for self build project or indeed the DIY enthusiast.

Comfort – Nothing blows through reinforced concrete. There will be absolutely no drafts or cold spots. ICF homeowners have commented on how constant temperatures stay within their homes. Because of the tremendous thermal mass of the exterior wall, temperature peaks are smoothed, and therefore homes are noticeably warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Safe & Healthy – There are no CFC's, HCFC's, or formaldehydes, and also no wood to rot and mold. ICF's are the answer for allergy and asthma sufferers. They have a two-hour fire rating and are termite and pest resistant. But most importantly, these structures can withstand a severe storm hit. Have you considered climate change into your future structure’s design?

Flexibility in Design – Reinforced concrete has tremendous proven design capabilities. Services such as pipes and wiring are easily routed through the polystyrene blocks these benefits combined with the other elements of our structures package leads to substantial savings. ICF wall systems can support concrete floor and roof systems and give you the ultimate in innovative design.

Quiet – Insulation not only keeps the temperature constant but cuts down on noise pollution dramatically. Your outside noises are eliminated. Is your future building site near train tracks, airports, highways or recreational vehicle trails? Maybe you simply do not wish to hear the neighbor mowing his lawn.

Energy Efficiency – Homes built with ICF exterior walls require an estimated 44% less energy to heat and 32% less energy to cool than comparable frame houses. Consequently, your HVAC systems can be downsized. Since floor systems are hung on the inside of the wall, real energy savings come when you design above-grade, thereby eliminating a huge heat loss area in conventional housing.

ICF Benefits
For the Designer	Design flexibility Variety of finishes Compatible with other building systems	Higher building performance standards A modern method of construction (MMC)
For the Builder	Fast track construction Reduced labour Less downtime Immediate follow-on trades Simple service installation	Less plant and equipment Good house keeping Improved site safety Cost savings
For the Occupier	Low running costs Good acoustic performance Healthy indoor environment	Fire resistance Minimal flood damage Mortgage, insurance and planning acceptance
For the Environment	Superior energy performance High mass for thermal stability	Reduced waste on site Fewer deliveries - less traffic Low environmental impact Recyclable materials

Concrete Homes Save Energy- Report from an American survey and study.

Building a concrete home with insulating concrete forms (ICF's) saves energy and money. The greater insulation, tighter construction, and temperature-smoothing mass of the walls conserve heating and cooling energy much better than conventional wood-frame walls. This reduces monthly fuel bills. It also allows use of smaller heating and cooling equipment, saving money in construction.

How much will I save?

Houses built with ICF exterior walls require an estimated 44% less energy to heat and 32% less energy to cool than comparable frame houses. A typical 2000 square foot home in the center of the U.S. will save approximately $200 in heating costs each year and $65 in air conditioning each year.
The bigger the house the bigger the savings. In colder areas of the U.S. and Canada, heating savings will be more and cooling savings less. In hotter areas, heating savings will be less and cooling savings more.

ICF walls do more than cut down on the biggest types of energy loss. The concrete gives them the heat-absorbing property, “thermal mass”. This is the ability to smooth out large swings in temperature. It keeps the walls of the house a little warmer when the outdoor temperature hits its coldest extreme, and keeps the house a little cooler when the outdoor temperature is hottest. The walls themselves “add back” heat or cooling to the house when it needs them most. This contributes about 6% of the needed energy to the house for free. Reduced equipment costs result from the energy savings. Since the energy needed is less, the furnaces and compressors that heat and cool can be smaller. And the more the energy savings, the greater the possible reduction in equipment size—and the equipment cost.
What's the bottom line? In planning a new house you can estimate that building the walls of concrete using ICF's will save you a substantial amount of money per year in energy costs. Tthe savings are greater the bigger the house. Heating savings are highest in cold climates, and cooling savings highest in warm climates. You may also save hundreds or thousands of Euros in construction costs for heating and cooling equipment.

Build Green with ICF's - Protect our Children's Future! Our world’s number one challenge is to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that is being discharged into our atmosphere. The earth’s relatively sudden warming and consequent dramatic effects of climate change are directly related to these carbon dioxide emissions. Land filling construction waste is reduced to less than 1% when you build with AMVIC. For every one tone of methane produced by land filling practices, 20 tones of CO2 are produced. Every ICF home saves approximately 8.5 trees and effectively preserve nature’s air filters. Ask yourself the question, “How much oxygen does sand and gravel produce?” If we can reduce our energy bills by as high as 40%, we can reduce CO2 emissions by the same amount. The world’s international Kyoto agreement insists on a reduction of emissions by 50% just to slow down the effects of global warming. ICF's are a part of the answer to CO2 reductions. Summary!! ICF Advantages For The Homeowner ICF Homes are Strong Feel safe and secure during the worst storms. ICF homes are able to withstand tornado & hurricane force winds. A typical ICF wall can stop a wooden 2x4 flying at 100mph. ICF Homes are Sound Dampening Escape for the noisy outside world - The solid concrete walls of ICF homes greatly reduce outside noise making your home more peaceful and relaxing. ICF homes can reduce unwanted outside noise by up to 87%. ICF Homes are Fire Resistant Have peace of mind that your home will still be standing even if fire threatens your neighborhood. ICF homes have a fire rating of up to 4 hours. ICF Homes are Energy Efficient Splurge on the finer things in life with the money you’ll be saving each month on your utility bills. Buildings built with ICF exterior walls can require 50% less energy to heat and cool than comparable frame houses. These energy efficiencies also allow economic efficiency by allowing smaller HVAC units to be installed. ICF Walls are Pest Resistant Be confident that your home will be protected against termites, roaches and rodents. - Your home’s concrete walls will be impenetrable to pests. ICF Homes are Environmentally Friendly Be satisfied in the fact that Solid Core ICF homes are built using Inert, Non-toxic concrete that is often manufactured locally. And the fire-resistant insulating foam is CFC free. The Rebar, Webs & Ties, EPS foam & concrete are recyclable. And building a 2,000 sq. ft. ICF home can save up to 47 trees. ICF Homes are Economically Friendly Get the financial benefits of lower insurance premiums. Insurance companies recognize all the strengths of ICF homes and offer a discount on priemium for ICF homes. One ICF homeowner reported a 20% savings on his insurance premiums. ICF Homes are Draft Free Enjoy the comfort of a perfect environment - The solid core walls of ICF homes eliminate air infiltration through the wall and virtually eliminate hot and cold spots. ICF Homes are Allergen Resistant Get the relief you deserve - Most mold and mildew problems are caused by moisture. A fiberglass insulated wall develops condensation within the wall where warm and cold air meet. The solid core walls of ICF homes eliminate air infiltration so there is no moisture to feed the growth of molds and bacteria. ICF Homes are Beautiful Live in style - while the walls of the home are sturdy concrete, the design can take on any style you desire: Modern, Victorian, Colonial, Adobe... ICF Homes are Affordable ICF homes are priced very competitively with traditional “stick built” homes. And when you take into account all the additional benefits they have, the true value of ICF homes simply can’t be matched. ICF Homes are Builder Friendly With ICFs you just pop them open,stack and brace them, install the desired conduit and pour. Build a house with a difference that makes a difference ! Back to top