The Connecticut Concrete Promotion Council (CCPC) and the Hartford chapter of Habitat for Humanity are joining forces to build the non-profit’s next house using one of the fastest growing methods of residential construction—insulating concrete forms (ICFs). ICF-produced homes feature superior energy efficiency, a quieter indoor environment, and greater resistance to natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornados.

ICFs are hollow foam blocks used to frame the exterior walls of a home instead of the customary wood or steel frame. Reinforced concrete is pumped into the forms to create a solid wall, sandwiching the concrete between two layers of high-insulation foam. Traditional drywall is attached to the interior surface, while any type of exterior finish—siding, stucco, brick or stone—can used. The final product is a home that looks like any other in the neighborhood, but has the energy and disaster-resistance benefits of concrete.

Students from the Construction Management program at Central Connecticut State University will install the ICFs and assist with work on other areas of the home. Above-ground construction is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Most of the work activity will take place on each Friday in September. The home is located at 200 Park Avenue in Bloomfield.

CCPC members are donating the ICFs and the concrete necessary to construct the exterior walls of the 1,200 square foot home, which will become the new residence for the Jumpp family. Other concrete products in the home will include a structural concrete flooring system and a concrete driveway and walkway.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to providing affordable housing for selected low-income families. The CCPC is an organization dedicated to promoting and expanding the use of ready mixed concrete products within the state of Connecticut.

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Editor’s Note: For more information on ICFs and concrete homes, visit Portland Cement Association at www.cement.org.