What does an ICF home look like? What makes it work so well? Can bugs eat it? Can kids eat it? What if I shoot 2x4s at it with a cannon?
(we can’t answer everything. But we can try).FAQ:
I have responsible boring questions but I really want to see the 2x4 thing.
We were hoping you’d say that because honestly, it says all that needs to be said. Enjoy.
Are termites an issue?
In our experience, no. Not at all. Does the potential exist? Yes, but there’s more to it than that. The EPS (Extended Polystyrene) foam on the exterior and interior sides of an ICF block provide no nutrition to termites, but they can burrow through it undetected to GET to wood. The tunnels they create don’t affect the ICF wall in any way and we’ve never actually seen it happen. If termite damage is something that weighs heavy on your mind, however, there are some great ways to prevent their entrance during the building stage:
Are there specific forms that you use?
We use Stronghold forms. We’ve used others, but in our experience, Stronghold’s quality is top-notch. The blocks are incredibly strong and easy to assemble, and their innovation is geared toward making the ICF building process faster, easier, and stronger.
Do ICF homes look like cinderblock rectangles?
Only if you want them to. ICF homes can be designed to just about any style preference, and built to just about any specification . Take a look at one we built in Ozark, MO:
If the roof is lumber, how does that work against high winds and storms? What about windows and doors?
Great question. Let’s lead off by saying that ICF roof systems do exist, and they create a pretty indestructible structure, but more on that later. Generally, we use roof trusses that are engineered to withstand 250mph winds. We attach those trusses directly to waterproofed ICF walls with embedded hurricane straps. Roofing material might disappear, but trusses will stay strong as long as they’re attached properly.
Hurricane/storm rated windows and doors are built with stronger glass, designed to stay in place even when it’s been shattered (fewer missiles flying through your home during a storm is always a good thing). Tougher frames and hardware, along with other special features, create another point of protection when they’re paired with ICF walls.
If the roof is NOT lumber, there’s a very good chance you can ride out just about any storm in your home. Poured concrete form roofs are the icing on the cake and turn your entire house into a safe room.
I know about weather resistance. I know about utility savings. Any other benefits?
Yep. How about quiet? Fire resistant? Earthquake resistant? Read about some other cool facts here.
https://www.icfmag.com/2020/07/benefits-of-living-in-an-icf-home/
If ICF is so great, why isn’t everyone doing this?
The answer to that is pretty simple - it just hasn’t made it here yet. Building codes in California are already adopting ICF as a safety standard, and that movement is slowly trickling east. There also aren’t a lot of builders out there that know how to work with ICF, especially in this area. We want to see this changing, and quickly; we know that the more of these homes we build, the more recognition ICF will get. And that means more people are safer.