The great forests of North America supplied abundant lumber to establish wood frame housing as the industry standard. Recently the increased cost of logging and its pressure on the environment have caused people to turn to viable alternatives. One is concrete. It has long been used for foundations and block buildings. Recently the mating of polystyrene's insulating qualities and concrete's structural strength has produced superior building systems designed as a replacement for wood in the home housing market.
Building with insulated concrete forms, or ICFs, is steadily gaining in popularity. The reasons vary but generally fall into two categories, ease of construction and insulating value.
Although panel style forms are adequate for foundations, when building to the rafters with ICF's, the block styles are best. These stack together like giant Lego blocks and once filled with concrete and rebar then become the bearing and interior walls. The insulation remains in place thus eliminating the need for wood studs, bat insulation, interior vapor barrier, sheathing and house wrap. The insulating value is such that a much smaller heating system is installed. In hot climates air-conditioning costs are drastically reduced. Proper curing takes place inside the forms assuring the concrete of its designed structural strength.
Insulated Concrete Form houses are very quiet, and for this reason more and more apartments are being constructed using ICF. Recently they have edged out wood frame in initial cost. Time-wise it is a cost effective way to build shops and warehouses.
These homes are finished to look the same as any other on the block. Even inside it is hard to tell they are concrete supported. They are warm in the winter, cool in the summer and generally a pleasure to live in.
BC READY-MIXED CONCRETE ASSOCIATION
26162 – 30A Avenue, Aldergrove, BC, V4W 2W5
Ph: 604-626-4141 Fx: 604-626-4143 Em: info@bcrmca.bc.ca
