Building homes with insulated concrete forms (ICF)
The best bet for long lasting quality and energy efficiency in home building is easily insulated concrete forms, the exterior wall system that sandwiches a thick layer of concrete between two layers of foam insulation. ICF offers a superior building method for new home construction and is the method I recommend to my clients.
Energy efficient homes
The key to achieving energy efficiency in a home is through the tightest possible building envelope. The use of insulated concrete forms - in tandem with careful caulking, the use of low-e windows, and suchlike - allows for a very airtight envelope, and the high thermal mass of the concrete protects the structure from experiencing wide swings in temperature.
Simply put, it is easier for the resulting home to maintain its temperature, meaning that it's easier to keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The natural extension of this is that the ongoing energy costs associated with an ICF home are lower.
Additional benefits of ICF
The concrete envelope also ensures a healthier environment for occupants as concrete doesn't allow mould to develop as it can all too easily in a traditional wood frame home. Concrete walls also make for a quieter home - I hear all the time from clients who are thrilled with the added bonus of a house that is better at reducing intrusive outdoor sounds such as traffic.
Fire resistance is another significant benefit of building with ICF. A number of studies have shown concrete to be quantifiably better at controlling the spread of fire: this summary page from the Portland Cement Association provides a very helpful overview. At least two insurance providers in the US already provide reduced rates for homes built with ICF, including State Farm.
In summary, ICF offers a superior building method that leads to a home that will stand the test of time in quality, comfort, resilience and energy conservation.
