healthy house institute

4 Free HHI Books:

Creating a Healthy Household, The Healthy House Answer Book, Healthy Home Building, The Healthy House 4th Edition
Your email will only be used as described in our Privacy Policy

Follow us on Twitter

 

Search

Proud Supporter of:

OnlineCourses.com

 

OpenCourseWare

HHI-Pedia Entry

ICF or Insulating Concrete Form

By HHI Staff

Insulating Concrete Forms or ICFs are popular in green building projects because of their thermal performance, durability, non-outgassing materials, sound deadening properties, etc. 

 

entry continues below ↓


We do not strictly control Google ad content. If you believe any Google ad is inappropriate, please email us directly here.

According to the Insulating Concrete Form Association:

 

"ICFs or Insulating Concrete Forms are basically forms for poured concrete walls, that stay in place as a permanent part of the wall assembly. The forms, made of foam insulation, are either pre-formed interlocking blocks or separate panels connected with plastic ties. The left-in-place forms not only provide a continuous insulation and sound barrier, but also a backing for drywall on the inside, and stucco, lap siding, or brick on the outside.

 

"Although all ICFs are identical in principle, the various brands differ widely in the details of their shapes, cavities and component parts.

 

"Block systems have the smallest individual units, ranging from 8" x 1'4" (height X length) to 1'4" x 4'. A typical ICF block is 10" in overall width, with a 6" cavity for the concrete. The units are factory-molded with special interlocking edges that allow them to fit together much like plastic children's blocks.

 

"Panel systems have the largest units, ranging from roughly 1' x 8' to 4' x 12'. Their foam edges are flat, and interconnection requires attachment of a separate connector or 'tie.' Panels are assembled into units before setting in place - either on-site or by the local distributor prior to delivery.

 

"Plank systems are similar to panel systems, but generally use smaller faces of foam, ranging in height from 8" to 12" and in width from 4' to 8'. The major difference between planks and panels is assembly. The foam planks are outfitted with ties as part of the setting sequence, rather than being pre-assembled into units.

 

"Within these broad categories of ICFs, individual brands vary in their cavity design. 'Flat wall' systems yield a continuous thickness of concrete, like a conventional poured wall. 'Waffle grid wall' systems have a waffle pattern where the concrete is thicker at some points than others. 'Screen grid' systems have equally spaced horizontal and vertical columns of concrete which are completely encapsulated in foam."
 
Source: Insulating Concrete Form Association

 

 

HHI Error Correction Policy

HHI is committed to accuracy of content and correcting information that is incomplete or inaccurate. With our broad scope of coverage of healthful indoor environments, and desire to rapidly publish info to benefit the community, mistakes are inevitable. HHI has established an error correction policy to welcome corrections or enhancements to our information. Please help us improve the quality of our content by contacting allen@healthyhouseinstitute.com with corrections or suggestions for improvement. Each contact will receive a respectful reply.

The Healthy House Institute (HHI), a for-profit educational LLC, provides the information on HealthyHouseInstitute.com as a free service to the public. The intent is to disseminate accurate, verified and science-based information on creating healthy home environments.

 

While an effort is made to ensure the quality of the content and credibility of sources listed on this site, HHI provides no warranty - expressed or implied - and assumes no legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product or process disclosed on or in conjunction with the site. The views and opinions of the authors or originators expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of HHI: its principals, executives, Board members, advisors or affiliates.

ICF or Insulating Concrete Form:  Created on June 4th, 2009.  Last Modified on December 23rd, 2009

 

References listed above credit sources The Healthy House Institute consulted for background or additional information.

All HHI-PediaTM content is © 2005-2024 The Healthy House InstituteTM.

Except for third-party Copyrighted© material, you may freely use, excerpt or cite this material provided the Healthy House Institute receives credit and the Web address www.HealthyHouseInstitute.com is plainly listed with all uses, excerpts or citations.

 

We do not strictly control Google ad content. If you believe any Google ad is inappropriate, please email us directly here.

 

 

Information provided by The Healthy House Institute is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient/physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

Education Partners

 

 

Popular Topics: Air Cleaners & Air Purifiers | Allergies & Asthma | Energy Efficiency & Energy Savings | Healthy Homes | Green Building
Green Cleaning | Green Homes | Green Living | Green Remodeling | Indoor Air Quality | Water Filters | Water Quality

© 2006-2024 The Healthy House Institute, LLC.

 

About The Healthy House Institute | Contact HHI | HHI News & Media | Linking Resources | Advertising Info | Privacy Policy | Legal Disclaimer

 

HHI Info