Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) are hollow foam blocks that are stacked into the shape of the exterior and load bearing walls of a home, reinforced with steel rebar, and then filled with concrete. The ICFs stay in place and provide superior insulation and noise reduction while keeping your family safe from disaster. ICF technology combines the proven strength and endurance of concrete and steel with the superior insulating properties of expanded polystyrene. Your home will be more energy efficient, comfortable, durable, and safer than a conventional home. 

 Insulating Concrete Forms help create a seamless solid concrete wall that is 10 times stronger than wood framed structures. A study conducted by Texas Tech University proves that walls built with Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) withstand the damage and projectiles launched by tornado and hurricane strength winds. ICF structures have been tested to wind speeds in excess of 250 MPH. To the left is an actual ICF home that survived Hurricane Micheal in Mexico Beach with virtually no damage. Photo courtesy NYTimes. 

Energy efficiency requirements continue to increase and the price of traditional construction materials and energy costs are soaring. You are deciding if it makes more sense to spend money on safer, longer lasting, and more energy efficient structures or build with traditional construction. Insulating Concrete Forms create the best insulated and air tight building envelope; the most important part of an energy-efficient and resilient structure. Homes built with ICFs are so efficient that when combined with efficient windows, doors, and HVAC systems, homeowners generally save 30-70% on their utility costs. ICF R-Value performance consists of three factors: the R-Value of the expanded polystyrene, the thermal mass of the concrete, and the enormous reduction in air leakage (air infiltration). The insulated thermal mass of the concrete prevents outside temperatures from influencing the internal temperature of the home. This means your HVAC doesn’t have to work as hard.  Combined these three factors help ICF walls perform as high as R-50+ in some areas of the country. This energy efficiency directly contributes to LEED Certification and may qualify you for tax credits and deductions. 

• Stable room temperatures; no hot spots, no cold drafts. 

• 75% less outside air infiltrates an ICF home; greatly reducing pollen, allergens, and dust. 

• 80% of ICF home owners mention comfort as the best benefit compared to 22% of wood frame home owners. 

 In fire wall tests, ICFs stood exposure to intense flame without structural failure longer than did common frame walls. The extremely low flame spread and smoke development make ICF walls safer from the hazards of fire. 

 Your ICF Safe Room can be any room in your home: master bathroom, bedroom, closet, pantry, media room and more. Building a safe room doesn’t mean building an ugly bunker. Your ICF safe room can be any room you want and you can use it as a part of your home each day. In addition to ICF exterior walls, ICF Decking also provides the ultimate floor and roof system to create an envelope of insulation and protection from natural disasters. Turn your entire home into a safe haven with floor and ceilings. Extensive testing, by Texas Tech University and other wind engineering research institutes, has shown that walls and ceilings constructed with ICFs will withstand the impact of Tornadoes and Hurricanes. ICF Safe Rooms are a completely sealed, temperature controlled, comfortable, dry, and safe place to protect your family during a disaster. Add an ICF safe room to existing homes or new construction today  

 Termites cause substantial damage each year in unprotected homes. As more and more ICF buildings are being built in termite-prone areas, it is important to review means to control termite infestations. One advantage of building with ICF is that the structure of the ICF foundation or wall will not be affected by termites, unlike wood-framed homes. Neither the EPS foam nor the polypropylene webs are a food source for termites.