ICF FEATURES
The Advantages of ICF Simply Stack Up
Featured image: Florida's "Sand Palace," a model of resilient ICF architecture and the only home left standing on Mexico Beach following Hurricane Michael.
EXTREME ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ICF offers maximum comfort + energy performance, saving owners up to 70% in heating & cooling costs. Superior energy efficiency comes from a solid, steel-reinforced concrete core of up to 12”, creating stable thermal mass & eliminating thermal bridging for comfortable indoor temperatures that cost very little to maintain.
UNSHAKABLE STRUCTURAL RESILIENCE
We build reassuring structures that defy Mother Nature. Examples like Florida’s Sand Palace after Hurricane Michael and our own structures’ success following 2018’s 7.2-magnitude earthquake are a testament to ICF’s superiority in the face of Mother Nature’s worst. With exceptional impact & seismic resistance, our steel-reinforced concrete wall systems are capable of withstanding winds of at least 240+ mph and, when properly engineered, offer greater anchorage/flexibility to withstand earthquakes. With ICF, you can achieve superior structural protection against seismic events, forest fires, strong winds, and flooding.
UNSURPASSED TEMPERATURE REGULATION
Thanks to concrete’s high thermal mass and ability to resist thermal bridging, ICF is capable of regulating temperature like no other building material. The thermal mass of our ICF walls and concrete flooring naturally absorb & store heat energy as needed so indoor temperatures are more stable, self-regulating & cost significantly less to heat & cool. The result is a more comfortable and stable indoor temperature, requiring fewer heating/cooling cycles and, ultimately, less energy.
INTENSE FIRE RESISTANCE
ICF walls can withstand intense temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees for as long as 4 hours without structural failure. (Forest fires typically burn around 1,500 degrees). High levels of fire resistance keep you safe, protect your investment, and may save money on insurance premiums.
BUILT TO LAST
For millennia, since Roman times, concrete has stood the test of time for its durability & strength as a building material. Our concrete solutions allow us to build 200+ year structures (compared to the typical 30-year safe life-span for wood structures).
HIGHER R-VALUES
R-Values, which measure energy performance by resistance to heat flow, are particularly impressive for ICF structures. Alone, ICF walls carry an R-Value of 23, but when the thermal mass of the poured concrete, plus the air-tight nature of the process is factored in, the resulting R-Value of a finished ICF structure can be upwards of R-50. Comparatively, wood-framed wall construction only yields an R-Value of less than R-15.
BREATHE EASIER
ICF walls contain no organic material so they are inherently mold, pest and mildew resistant, and the material does not emit toxins. Additionally, the air-tight building envelope eliminates air gaps that cause problematic drafts & can bring outside allergens in. As a result, you can breathe easier with healthier and more efficient heating, cooling and ventilation.
QUIET COMFORT
Our clients often tell us that the absence of cold drafts & unwanted noise are among the immediately noticeable benefits of ICF. With STC ratings of 50 and better, ICF buildings can be virtually soundproof and are nearly ⅔ quieter than comparable wood-framed buildings.
TRULY CUSTOM
ICF can accommodate any architectural design aesthetic, and can run the full range of finish-level price points. Our ICF blocks can be used to create a variety of sizes, rounded walls or 45 degree angled sections for a truly custom project.
FASTER & MORE EFFICIENT BUILD TIMES
Because our ICF solution completes 6 elements of the construction process in ONE product, you’ll see your project take shape at lightning speed. Our construction methods are 20-30% faster than conventional framing and 50-60% faster than CMU construction. As a result, you save not only time, but money. For Alaskan projects in particular, our unique methods enable your project to be completed within a traditionally short building season.
GREEN BY DESIGN
The new standard for building green starts with ICF. Made from recycled and recyclable materials, ICF structures last longer, create less waste, lower energy bills and reduce residents’ exposure to mold & toxins, making it an ideal green building material. They are also a great choice for those with a goal of achieving a net-zero or LEED standard. Learn more about Building Green.
ULTIMATE LONG-TERM VALUE
The benefits of ICF simply stack up. When you factor in its energy savings + usable lifespan and disaster-resilience, the long-term value of ICF makes it an incredibly worthwhile investment. Be sure to ask your insurance provider if they offer discounts for robustly-built structures. In many places prone to severe weather events & forest fires, insurance premiums may be discounted by up to 50% for ICF construction.
