Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) are hollow blocks or panels made of EPS (expanded polystyrene) plastic foam that construction crews stack into the shape of the exterior walls of a residential or commercial building. Workers then add reinforcing steel and fill the gap between the two layers of foam with concrete, which cures and hardens into a monolithic core. The foam panel stays in place. This combination of concrete, steel and foam creates an incredibly strong, energy-efficient, quiet, comfortable and durable structure, and is ready to accept any and all exterior and interior finishes.
Is Your Design
or Building
Professional
Skeptical of ICFs?
Living in an
ICF home for less
As the owner of a LOGIX concrete home, you'll benefit from lower annual maintenance and energy costs while living in a home that provides a secure haven for your family.
LOGIX ICF benefits:
- Cost Savings
- Energy efficient & Comfort
- Safety and Durability
- Design flexibility
- Quiet
- Healthy for living and healthy for the environment
ICF construction is priced competitively with wood frame construction but you
get so much more for your money.
Initially the cost of building with ICF's may add 3-4% to your finished product. However, with the savings in heating, cooling, smaller HVAC systems, and lower insurance costs, you will find greater overall savings building with ICFs.
You can have all of the ICF benefits for less (read more)
Homes built with ICF exterior walls require an
estimated 44% - 50% less energy to heat and 32% less energy to cool than
comparable frame houses. Consequently, your heating and cooling
systems can be downsized and your bills will be lower. LOGIX walls
have R-value of 24 as compared to wood frame and metal frame
construction’s R-9 to R-13 ratings. Therefore, LOGIX walls cut down
energy conduction losses by about half.
LOGIX ICF walls do more than decrease energy loss. The concrete
provides tremendous thermal mass, which means that it changes
temperature very slowly, therefore, temperature peaks are smoothed,
and as a result, homes are noticeably warmer in the winter and
cooler in the summer. Nothing blows through reinforced concrete.
There will be no drafts or cold spots.
The Energy Policy act of 2005 makes ICF construction more affordable!
- $1000.00 tax credit for homes that reduce energy use for heating and cooling by 30%
- $2000.00 tax credit for homes that reduce energy use for heating and cooling by 50%
For more information visit www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm
LOGIX ICFs are non-toxic, there are
no chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), HCFCs, or formaldehydes, asbestos and also no wood to
rot and mold. Airtight walls help prevent mold and mildew and provides a
cleaner indoor environment that greatly reduces the intake of pollen and
outdoor dust into your home. This helps the allergy sufferers and keeps the
house cleaner.
LOGIX ICFs are healthy for our environment as well, they minimize the use of
lumber, cause less waste for land fills and the superior thermal performance
provided significantly reduces the need for the use of our precious natural
resources for heating and cooling. The use of LOGIX promotes sustainable,
green building practices and is an investment in the future.
LOGIX ICF concrete filled walls stand up to the fury of nature such as hurricanes and tornados and also to the more subtle threats of rot, rust and termites.
LOGIX walls have a 3 hour fire rating as opposed to 15 minutes for a comparable wood framed wall
Buildings constructed with LOGIX walls are designed to last for centuries, not decades.
Reinforced concrete systems have
tremendous proven design capabilities. LOGIX wall systems can
support concrete floor and roof systems and give you the ultimate in
innovative design.
LOGIX ICFs can accommodate
tall walls, curved walls, large openings, long ceiling spans, custom
angles and cathedral ceilings. ICF homes can be finished with any
exterior.
LOGIX ICFs are a light material, requiring less muscle to lift and
cut, so crews maintain their efficiency throughout the day. In many
cases one crew can do the foundation, above grade exterior walls,
and framing of interior walls. This decreases the number of crews on
the jobsite. Once a construction crew is trained in the installation
process, homes can be completed much more quickly than wood frame,
stud and insulation wall constructions.
Your outside noises are almost eliminated. Compared to a typical wood framed wall, only about one third as much sound penetrates through a LOGIX wall. Excellent for home theaters and sophisticated sound systems.
An experienced, conscientious design and building professional who is not currently building with insulated concrete forms (ICFs), may be concerned about all of the ICF claims made by salesmen selling them. They may have heard or even experienced some of the potential problems associated with ICFs in the past ...such as crooked, wavy walls or walls “blowing out”. It is true that if ICFs are not properly installed and supported there can be disastrous results, just as when conventional construction is done improperly. Wallrus Wall Systems is aware of what can go wrong and what must be done to prevent onsite problems.
We are not just selling a product, we back that product with knowledgeable and reliable service. We are responsibly dedicated to assist you and your builder to have a positive experience building with ICFs by providing excellent training, onsite support and the best products available.
Please contact us to answer questions and meet with you and your design or building professional. Our goal is to help our customers and homeowners make informed decisions about building with ICFs.
LOGIX ICF home with minimal damage after Florida hurricane
As energy costs rise so does your energy cost savings with an ICF
home
