| By :
Adrianna Noton
Insulated concrete forms have been used as a building material since the 1960s. In recent years, however, ICF construction has become more common. The increase in the intensity and frequency of severe weather events, coupled with rising energy costs, has altered the industry perception of the insulated concrete form as an alternative material. Increasingly it is viewed as a mainstream building option. Concrete forms boast many benefits over traditional timber framed building techniques. Of particular interest to homeowners is that they can reduce energy costs and are incredibly sturdy. From the developer's point of view they offer good design flexibility and can reduce building times. Add to this excellent fire resistance, improved sound insulation and a smattering of eco-credentials and the concrete form firmly establishes itself as the latest popular material of choice. Rising energy costs are of concern to everybody. The use of insulated concrete forms can reduce home energy costs anywhere from thirty to ninety percent when compared to traditional timber framed houses. Unlike timber framed homes, they are airtight and provide continuous insulation. Additionally, the large thermal mass of the concrete enables it to absorb heat from daylight and radiate it into the home later on. Homes constructed with insulated concrete forms are homes that are built to last. In some cases they are twenty times stronger than conventional timber constructions. Their continuous unbroken shell enables them to withstand the onslaught of hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes far more successfully. Those who own concrete homes are less likely to spend their time and resources on battling wood rot, pest infestation and the development of mold. Insulated concrete forms are safe and are not manufactured from hazardous or toxic materials. Furthermore they afford homes far greater protection from fire. Even when subjected to temperatures of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit for over four hours the concrete shows no sign of structural damage. Whereas a timber framed building will facilitate the rapid spread of fire from one room to the next, concrete walls contain fire. This means occupants have more time to evacuate and firefighters can do their job more easily. Insulated concrete also offers good sound insulation. A concrete building may have up to four times the sound insulation rating than that achieved by those constructed from timber. Comparatively speaking, they are particularly good at dampening noises from traffic, mechanical machinery and amplified music. It may be contentious to suggest that concrete is a more sustainable material than wood. Nevertheless, its value in reducing fossil fuel consumption through increased insulation should not be overlooked. There is also very little waste involved in the building process and concrete forms are recyclable. Insulated Concrete Form construction allows for imaginative and bold design as it is easy to incorporate features such as curved walls and arches. A variety of exterior and interior finishes are easily applied once the concrete has been poured. The building process is simple and quick. While the cost of materials is initially high, these will soon be offset by savings in energy consumption and maintenance.
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