Better Builders of Oregon, Inc.

ICF Information

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) are interlocking, lightweight polystyrene blocks that serve as a form for poured concrete walls. The forms remain in place to provide insulation, a vapor barrier and attachment surfaces for interior and exterior wall finishings. Businesses and homes built this way are more energy efficient, stronger, safer and quieter.

Advantages to Building with ICFs

ICF products
  • Energy Efficiency: ICF buildings are 44% cheaper to heat and 32% cheaper to cool than woodframe homes. The combined mortgage and utility payments are typically less than for a traditionally built structure.

  • Strength and Safety: ICF buildings are up to 8.5 times stronger than woodframe buildings and can withstand hurricane conditions. ICF foundation walls resist buckling and cracking five times better than concrete block walls.

  • Sound Resistance: A sound transmission classification of STC 50 (inaudible) is easily attainable. By comparison, a typical woodframe-constructed building has an average STC of only 25, which allows people indoors to hear and understand voices outside.

  • Moisture Resistance: ICF walls eliminate the need for an additional vapor barrier.

  • Environmentally Sound: Buildings constructed with ICFs are designed to last for centuries, not decades. They conserve forest resources and their energy efficiency reduces fossil fuel consumption.

Because of all these benefits, ICF buildings command higher resale values than those constructed with more traditional methods.

Please visit Building Block Systems for more information on the many health, economic and environmental benefits of Insulated Concrete Forms and green building in Oregon.