Why You Should Do Your Research Before Utilizing Insulated Concrete Forms

Insulated concrete forms are an increasingly common choice when it comes to construction projects of various kinds. The value of this kind of construction cannot be overstated in places with tough weather and in buildings that are built for industrial processes and workflows. If you are working on a new construction project, you might not be sure whether insulated concrete forms are right for you.

Insulated concrete form myths can have a big impact on people’s willingness to use this kind of construction material for their project. However, these myths are often completely incorrect, and knowing more about ICF can help you to rule out fact from fiction. While you might still choose another construction method for your project, ICF could potentially have been a much better answer for your needs.

Why You Need to Do Your Research Before Choosing ICF

ICF is Expensive

This is the most common argument against ICF; however, in most instances, this is not actually the case. While the initial, upfront cost can be more than some other products that are used for construction, the lack of maintenance for this kind of construction and its ability to hold up to years of tough weather and hard use make it more affordable in the long run.

There are other benefits that you might not be aware of when it comes to the monetary side of ICF. ICF construction is very energy-efficient and can help you to save money on heating and cooling costs all year long. For businesses, this can be a huge factor in choosing this method of construction, but even homeowners should sit up and take notice of a benefit like that.

ICF also allows you to use smaller HVAC systems due to the ease with which you can add HVAC to your structure and its insulating properties. The insulating properties of the ICF construction itself also help your HVAC system run more efficiently and with less strain, which also saves money.

ICF is only expensive if you look at the upfront cost to install it. When you add up the savings that this construction method can offer to you, you will see that it is not that expensive at all.

ICF Is Not Durable Enough

This is another myth that is easy to debunk. There are many different myths that indicate that this is not an ideal building product because it will not hold up to years of use. In reality, ICF construction is highly durable. ICF is made with EPS foam forms that are then filled with concrete. This construction method makes the walls that you build with ICF much stronger than standard building materials.

ICF is also weather-resistant and pest-resistant, which can be important in many parts of the world. ICF is able to withstand up to 250 mph winds, making it an ideal building material for places where extreme weather is common. The fact that ICF is not porous also makes it a good option for areas where there is a lot of precipitation each year.

ICF offers long-term stability that you cannot access from other building materials. You will never have to wonder if your home or business location will hold up when you choose ICF.

ICF is Tough to Install

This is another myth that is simple to debunk. If someone has told you this, it is likely only because they are not familiar with the actual process of installing ICF construction. There are two layers of materials that are used for ICF construction, but that does not mean that it takes longer to build walls with ICF construction.

ICF blocks interlock, which makes them simple to place and sturdy as soon as they are correctly locked in. The blocks are simple to handle as they are not very heavy, and then all that needs to be done is the concrete pour. Many of the ICF forms are pre-molded, which makes it simple to create areas that would otherwise be hard to get into the right shape.

Since the forms are not removed as they are in standard concrete construction, you will save a lot of time after the concrete has hardened. Most construction projects would require you to walk around and break the forms away from the concrete, but you won’t need to do that with ICF construction.

There is a small learning curve associated with using this method to create walls for your building project, but that does not mean that it is hard to use ICF construction. As soon as you know how to set up your ICF for the concrete pour, you don’t need to worry about the project moving along efficiently.

Other arguments against ICF can include concerns that the materials are not sustainable. This is not the case since ICF holds up for years and years, and because ICF is much less environmentally damaging than harvesting the wood needed for traditional construction. You will use fewer materials as well, which is great for the environment.

Another argument that is brought up in some cases is the belief that these materials cannot be used in cases where you want to finish with brick or wood siding. This is also not true, and you can even finish your ICF building with stucco if you wish.

ICF is an Ideal Construction Material for So Many Reasons

There are so many reasons to love ICF. You might not have been fully aware of the potential of this material and construction style until reading this guide. If so, you should be quite clear that this is one of the best kinds of construction if you want energy efficient, highly durable, and easy to work with. You will be saving money and time in the long run when you opt for ICF compared to other building materials.

This is one of the best new construction methods out there, and you should be sure that you consider if it is right for your next build.