Thinking about building with insulated concrete forms (ICFs)? Here is a short list of the key pros and cons of upgrading to ICF construction:
PROS
For The Homeowner
Your comfortable, energy-efficient ICF basement will feel like another main level of your home.
If you build your entire home with ICF, you will treat yourself to high-quality concrete construction and enjoy luxury living for a lifetime.
For The Developer/Builder
ICF mid-rise multi-family buildings can qualify for government financing incentives based on energy efficiency.
Quiet and comfortable ICF mid-rise multi-family buildings are quick to rent-up and are low-maintenance assets with lower long term repair costs – essentials for a healthy real estate investment portfolio.
Element ICF mid-rise multi-family buildings are long term money makers.
For The Installer/Trade
Build your own foundations, get control over your schedule, and eliminate sub-trades.
Add high-performance homes and buildings to your offerings and meet the needs of a growing market.
You’ll have the opportunity to have a smaller, more efficient crew and be better insulated from the chronic labor shortage.
CONS
ICF Walls Are Inherently Airtight.
This is actually a great thing from a thermal performance and energy efficiency point of view. However, international standards recommend mechanical ventilation for homes with air exchange rates lower than 3 air changes per hour (ACH), a common scenario in modern, high-performance homes like those built with Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) technology which tend to have 1.5 – 2.5 ACH/HR).
Click Here for a blog post with more information on mechanical ventilation.
ICF Walls Are Usually Thicker Walls
ICF walls with a 6” concrete are typically 11.5” thick and ICF walls with an 8” concrete are 13.5” thick. These are thicker than most conventionally formed below grade concrete walls and most conventionally wood-framed above grade walls.
The thicker walls mean you will have to slightly enlarge your building footprint to maintain the same amount of planned interior living space.
ICF Walls Cost More Upfront
ICF walls are high-quality, high-performance concrete walls. They will cost slightly more than comparable conventionally formed concrete walls and they will cost significantly more than regular wood walls.
Conventional wisdom suggests that a full height ICF home will initially cost 5 -10% more than a regular conventionally built home with that cost premium being offset over time by the monthly energy savings.
More information on cost can be found here.
Finding ICF-Experienced Construction Professionals
ICFs have been popular in Canada and USA for over 30 years now and a large network of ICF-experienced builders, installers, architects, designers and engineers does exist – you just have to find them.
Here is a listing of ICF stocking dealers – they can refer you to local ICF professionals – Here is a directory of ICF-experience construction professionals
The ICF Learning Curve
Usually whenever you try something new there is a bit of an adjustment and a learning curve involved. Upgrading to ICF construction is no different.
Here is a collection of webpages to help you shorten the learning curve and get started with ICFs.
