Why ICF is a Green Building Material

One of the newest advancements in green building materials is insulated concrete forms, or ICF. ICF blocks and ICF home construction offer a healthy, secure, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly way of building. Keep reading to understand what these green building materials are and why they work.

What Are ICF Building Blocks?

Insulated concrete forms start as hollow foam blocks. This might not seem like the first word in green building materials, however, what happens next is pretty neat. These foam blocks are stacked into whatever shape is required. They are then reinforced with steel rebar, and finally, they are filled with concrete. The result is a wonderful combination of energy efficiency, strong structural material, and excellent insulation. Once the insulated concrete forms are in place, brick, siding, rock, or whatever other material is desired can be attached to the outside. Before the concrete is poured, plumbing and electrical lines run through the foam andare attached. In the end, ICF walls and buildings look no different from traditional buildings. However, on the inside, they provide some amazing benefits.

What Are the Advantages of Using ICF Products as My Green Building Materials?

There are several important advantages to using ICF home construction.

Fast

A building can be put up much more quickly using ICF construction than with traditional methods. The number of steps required to build the building is greatly reduced, which means that this construction can cost 40% less simply by reducing the number of man-hours needed to finish the project.

Less Waste

One of the things that makes insulated concrete forms green building materials is how well they avoid waste. Because the blocks are stacked and filled in exactly the form required, every block is cut to fit and very little waste results.

Strength

These green building materials are also very strong. In fact, buildings constructed in this method are between six and nine times stronger than buildings may with traditional materials. ICF buildings are excellent choices where natural disasters threaten because they can withstand winds as strong as 402 km/h.

Energy Efficient

ICF construction also results in very energy-efficient buildings. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that homeowners could save approximately 20% to 25% in annual heating and cooling costs if they use ICF construction.

Protection

Not only can ICF construction increase a building’s resistance to natural disasters, but it even provides protection against day-to-day threats. An ICF home can experience a 75% reduction in outside air filtration, thus dramatically lowering the amount of dust and allergens. It also provides excellent insulation against unwanted sound.

ICF home construction is a great way to protect your family, lower your carbon footprint as well as your energy expenses, insulate your home against allergens and sounds, and create less waste. ICF systems have been used in the global construction industry for more than six decades now, and these quality construction materials have a bright future ahead of them. It’s important to use green building materials as we seek to protect our environment, as well as ourselves. If you are constructing a home, look into how insulated concrete form construction could provide you with the highest quality, safest, and greenest House you could ask for.