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Insulating Concrete Forms
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> Insultating Concrete Forms
 For
years, insulating concrete forms (ICFs) were used almost strictly
for residential construction, but not anymore: the method is rapidly
gaining popularity in commercial construction. Today approximately
one-third of ICF structures are non-residential, according to the
Insulating Concrete Form Association.
Building Process
For design and construction, it’s hard to find an easier system
than ICFs: hollow foam blocks or panels are stacked into the shape
of the walls of a building. The forms are filled with steel-reinforced
concrete to form a solid structure, sandwiching a heavy, high-strength
material between two layers of light, high-insulation foam. The
resulting walls are air-tight, strong, quiet, highly insulated,
pest and fire resistant, and durable in the face of even the harshest
weather.
The forms can be installed quickly and easily using common construction
tools and equipment. The industry’s wide variety of manufacturers,
shapes, and sizes makes it easy to custom design smaller commercial
structures. ICFs are commonly used for industrial buildings, hotels,
business parks, government facilities, schools, churches, shopping
centers, and warehouses.
Efficient, Durable, and Safe
 The
high R-value of the insulation, the thermal mass of the concrete,
and the system’s ability to moderate temperature swings all
combine to make structures with ICFs ideal for climates with large
temperature variations…but ICFs can increase energy efficiency
(and cut operating costs) in any region. Structures with ICFs are
strong and durable—even in seismic zones, structures with
ICFs can offer protection during earthquake activity. ICF systems
are accepted by all the major model codes in the U.S., and by the
R-2000 program in Canada.
Industry Resources
The Insulating Concrete Form Association
represents the ICF industry in North America, and provides an overview
of the technology.
| Publications |
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Concrete
Systems for Homes and Low-Rise Construction Item Code
(SP405)
Fast gaining on more traditional homebuilding materials, concrete
systems save builders time, money, and headaches. Written by
PCA experts, this resource provides expert, straightforward
answers on concrete systems, including everything you want to
know about availability of products, evaluating concrete systems
for homes and low-rise buildings, requirements for application,
managing projects, and much more. Based on case histories, field
research, and hands-on-the-hammer experience, and with more
than 325 photos and illustrations, this one-stop resource shows
and tells what you want to know.
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Structural
Design of Insulating Concrete Form Walls in Residential Construction
(EB212)
This engineering manual provides design procedures for residential
structures built using insulating concrete form (ICF) wall
systems. It provides a step-by-step method for designing homes
with ICF walls and demonstrates the design procedure with
a comprehensive example. Design aids in the form of graphs,
charts, and tables are provided.
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Insulating
Concrete Forms for Residential Design and Construction
(SP208)
This publication is the most comprehensive resource for designing
and building concrete homes with insulating concrete forms
(ICFs). Written to meet the needs of architects, engineers,
and building officials, it focuses on the technical aspects
of ICF home design including design principles, details, formulas,
and performance data. The book includes sections on architectural
design, structural design, and HVAC systems design, plus a
section describing the different types of ICF systems, the
materials, and how they are used. It also describes field
assembly methods to minimize construction time, cost, and
waste.
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Insulating
Concrete Forms Construction Manual (SP202)
Here is the first fully illustrated field manual for building
concrete homes with insulating concrete forms. Builders, engineers,
and architects will benefit from the step-by-step instructions
that fully describe the entire ICF construction process. |
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Insulating
Concrete Forms Construction: Demand, Evaluation & Technical
Practice (LT282)
Written by highly acclaimed ICF industry expert Dr. Pieter
VanderWerf, this invaluable book walks contractors through
both business and technical considerations in evaluating and
adopting ICFs for both the residential and commercial markets. |
Click here for ICF building
project profiles.
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