Insulating Concrete Forms, or ICF's, are used in residential construction as a cost-competitive alternative to wood frames for home construction. Its advantages range from low material and labor costs, to life-long benefits for its fire resistance and key sustainability qualities. Fortium™, a revolutionary new building technology recently developed by CEMEX, is an example of an ICF and further extends the benefits of this building material for home construction projects.
This video explains the steps necessary for the construction of ICF walls. An ICF home is built essentially the same way as is a wood-framed home, with the exception of the construction of the walls. Insulated concrete forms are first stacked to create the exterior wall of the home. Reinforcing steel is then added as mandated by local building codes. Lastly, concrete is poured inside the forms and they are then left in place, to be followed by the interior and exterior finishes. The finishes can consist of any standard material of choice. Drywall and other finishes can be used for the interior, and the exterior finish can be brick, siding, stucco, or even field stone.
Insulating Concrete Forms are a cost-competitive alternative to home building. They can provide homeowners with energy savings of up to 20% of their total energy bill due to the overall reduction in air infiltration. ICF's enhanced thermal mass properties include 2.5 inches of continuous insulation provided by both the internal and the external walls, which is far superior to the insulation provided by a typical wood-frame home. There is also no thermal bridging; therefore, heat does not transfer and no surface is exposed to the elements. The concrete is blanketed in between the foam which holds it together. This higher efficiency translates into lower monthly operating costs, allowing homeowners to be able to afford more square footage, or aesthetic upgrades.
Owning a concrete home helps promote a sustainable environment. Over 90% of CO2 emissions occur during the use phase of a home. The lower energy needs provided by concrete walls help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Over 30 years of living in a concrete home can reduce emissions by a total of 170 metric tons, which is equal to that of 29 cars annually.
Additionally, homes built with ICF provide protection against extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes and tornadoes. ICF walls have been tested to withstand winds in excess of 200 miles per hour. They proved their worth during Hurricane Katrina. Fire resistance is also a benefit of building an ICF home. In 2007, San Diego ICF homes withstood the wildfires while surrounding wood-frame homes were lost. They sustained minimal interior damage with no loss to structural integrity. According to Portland Cement Association research, concrete homes reduce the threat of pest infestation, mold and wood rot. Further research by the association showed that both the density and the continuity of the exterior wall reduce noise pollution. Additionally, the quality of the air inside the home is greatly increased.
CEMEX Fortium™ utilizes nanotechnology to reduce wall construction time and cost. It provides for a wall 14% stronger than a typical reinforced concrete wall and the product allows a 4 inch ICF cavity, as opposed to the standard 6 inch wall. This technology eliminates the need of up to 80% of steel reinforcement. Using less concrete and rebar translates to material savings of up to 27% and labor savings of up to 20%, therefore making building with CEMEX Fortium™ cost-competitive to wood-framed home construction.
CEMEX provides building materials products and services across the U.S. You can reach us at 1-855-CX-BUILD (1-855-292-8453) or at cemex.solutions@cemex.com for more information.
Please visit us at: http://www.cemexusa.com.
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Insulated Concrete Forms Irelandby eurozoneicf19,032 views
Nice video about the benefits of ICF's and how they work, but it doesn't show what the Fortium is, or how it works. I am as clueless as before watching the video!
1jakev 4 months ago