Are you looking to build a new residential or commercial building? During April of this year, there were about 1,760,000 new home building permits created. This number is expected to grow as the housing market booms.
For many new homes and commercial buildings, using insulating concrete forms is a popular procedure. If you’re looking to make your building as sturdy, sustainable, and safe as possible, you should know about building with ICF. This article can help.
To learn more about the benefits of ICF homes and commercial buildings, read on for our basic guide.
1. Insulating Concrete Forms: A Brief Introduction
You may be wondering, “What is an insulating concrete form, and what does it do?” Before you start building with insulating concrete forms, it’s important to know what their main purposes are.
Simply put, insulating concrete forms use thermal insulation material to reinforce concrete structures. These stay in place after the home or commercial building is complete, and are often used in both interior and exterior building. Many buildings use ICF in floors, walls, and even roofs.
ICF pieces work by locking together and holding the concrete filling in place. This type of concrete reinforcement technology dates back to the 1940s and 50s to hold cement walls together. While ICF materials started off as wooden, they soon transformed into plastic foam.
Today, most ICF materials consist of foam and various wood fibers. For buildings located across the globe, there are many benefits of building with ICF.
2. ICF for Energy Efficiency and the Environment
Studies show that the construction industry contributes to about 25 to 40 percent of the planet’s carbon emissions. Carbon emissions trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere which leads to global warming and reduced air quality. High-quality builders are always looking for new ways to be more sustainable and reduce their carbon footprint.
One of the main benefits of using ICF is that they help reduce environmental impact.
Not only can ICF materials help reduce waste during the building process, but they can also increase thermal efficiency. This not only reduces the amount of energy it takes to cool or heat a home but also saves homeowners money. With ICF materials, you can feel confident that your building is sustainable for both the environment and your wallet.
3. ICF for Safety and Strength
Another top reason why ICF materials are so popular is that they protect from natural disasters and other foundation issues. Using ICF in residential or commercial construction can ensure that the building is as sturdy and as safe as possible.
Emergency situations like earthquakes, wildfires, and tornadoes can destroy a building in seconds. ICF materials help slow down any destruction of concrete and keep the building standing strong. For some top examples of ICF technology in construction, click here to view ICFs and Residential Real Estate: Recent Projects.
Level up Your Building Projects With ICF
Now that you know all about insulating concrete forms, you can make an informed decision about your next building project. By following this basic guide, you can ensure a building that is safe, strong, and efficient for both you and the environment.
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