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Using ICF in Concrete Home Construction
Using ICF in concrete home construction provides unmatched sturdiness, energy efficiency and comfort in a home as compared to other forms of construction. ICF or Insulated concrete forms are primarily used in residential construction but it is also gaining widespread popularity in commercial construction.
There is nothing new about using concrete as a construction material, however, when you use ICF you are putting a material with proven durability into a lightweight insulating form that can be installed with ease. Using ICF slabs in concrete home construction makes your house more energy efficient because the ICF slabs act as a barrier against outside air temperature essentially insulating your home against environmental factors. ICF walls are made by stacking and bracing the slabs and then concrete is added to the form. Once the wall has been constructed it will have attachment flanges to help with exterior finishing like siding and also with interior finishes.
The technology used in the manufacture of insulated concrete forms was put forth in 1970’s after the introduction of polystyrene foam. The face shell of the ICF slabs is made with the polystyrene foam; this shell is then reinforced by filling it with concrete. The slabs have a plastic flange or tie that not only act as a support in moving and transportation of the wall but they also act as furring strips that aid in interiors and exterior finishes. The polystyrene panels that are used in the construction of the exteriors shells are reversible and they are clearly marked with plastic ties which are mounted in the center and are embedded ½ an inch inside the foam. These provide a substantial amount of stability during movement and while adding concrete. The continuous insulation that can be experienced in home constructed with ICF slabs can be attributed to the polystyrene foam which provides insulation from the top plate to the footing of the wall.
Since polystyrene foam has the ability to lock out moisture, once the concrete is poured into the insulated panels it cures faster and is of superior strength. The concrete used in the construction of ICF walls is the same concrete that is used while laying the foundation. However, ICF concrete has smaller aggregate size so that the pouring and pumping i easy.
If you interested in concrete home constructions with the use of ICF, get in touch with Elite Green Home. It is important to ensure that the company you are dealing with has ample of experience in the installation of ICF slabs and they are willing to offer a fair price. Some manufacturers may choose to ship pre-assembled material to construct the ICF walls to minimize on site labor. If you are dealing with a qualified and experienced construction crew they should have no problem in installing the ICF wall with minimal wastage. When estimating the cost of construction you need to take into account the cost of transportation from the manufacturer to the construction site, the amount of labor required and the amount of waster material that will have to be cleaned and hauled away after construction. Please contact Elite Green Home Construction if you are considering choosing ICF slabs for your home construction.
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