Frequently Asked Questions
How Thick Are ICF Walls?
Element ICF foam panels are each 2.75” thick for a total of 5.5” of EPS (or GPS) foam insulation in a Element ICF wall.
October 1, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Way to Attach a Roof to an ICF Wall for Wind Resistance?
What Is the Best Way to Attach a Roof to an ICF Wall for Wind Resistance? For resistance to high winds it is recommended to use hurricane tie downs that are embedded into the concrete in your roof connection detail. The 2×6 sill plate for the roof system will be
August 31, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ICFs Safer Than Wood?
Are ICFS Safer than wood? Yes, ICF walls are significantly safer that wood-frame walls. ICF walls can be engineered to be wind-rated to over 300 mph. A traditionally built 2×4 or 2×6 framed offers little resistance to debris impact and hurricane wind loads – traditionally built framed walls require considerable
August 10, 2020
Insight & Advice
Element ICF: Optimizing Occupant Health and Comfort
Today’s building codes tend to focus on safety issues, like structural integrity, seismic soundness, and fire protection. Requirements for occupant health and comfort, though, are few and far in between. As a result, modern homes are not necessarily built with comfort in mind. And their biggest flaw can lie in
August 6, 2020
Featured Products
How to Identify the Best ICF System
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) is a building system with its own unique set of means and methods. When choosing the best ICF system, important considerations include fast & easy installation, long term energy efficiency, local supply & support, complimentary products and exceptional customer service. Element ICF is excellent in all
July 14, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Build with ICF Myself?
Can I Build With ICF Myself? Yes, but you should only consider it if you have a substantial amount of basic construction experience and the building is a simple design, like a rectangle. Here are recommendations for DIY’ers: Take the Element ICF Installer training course and watch the Element ICF
July 9, 2020
Featured Projects
A Tale of Two Buildings
In this tale of two buildings, we’ll look at the ways 2 project teams used Logix ICF to advantage on 2 unique construction sites. Both projects are in the same climate zone and serve a similar purpose. Lumino C is a 15-storey, 100,000 SF tower in South Central Calgary with
July 8, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Insulated Concrete Forms?
ICFs are a high-quality concrete construction method used to build the foundation walls and the above-grade walls for homes, mid-rise residential buildings, schools, offices, and commercial buildings.
May 29, 2020
Insight & Advice
The ICF Effect on Energy Efficiency
Exploring the three ways ICF walls outperform their conventional counterparts Here’s some funny math for you. Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) walls typically save homeowners up to 50% on their energy bills. Yet, their R-values are, on average, R-23 versus R-20 in conventional stud walls. So how are these tremendous savings possible when the
May 29, 2020
Insight & Advice
Reduce Construction Steps During Winter with Insulated Concrete Forms
Winter may officially last three months, but cold climate builders grumble about chilly weather for a solid 5. Cold winter conditions greatly impact conventional concrete forming. With insulated concrete forms (ICFs), not so much. We’ll use a real example in Winnipeg, Manitoba with Harv Schellenberg of SchellRiver ICF, who started
May 12, 2020
