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ICF Basements by BuildBlock
ICF Basement Walls Create Warm, Dry Basements
BuildBlock ICFs are ideal for the construction of basements. There are many advantages to ICF basements. With ICF basements, the concrete is not exposed to the interior or exterior of the basement wall. The EPS panels on each side of the concrete insulate the basement walls and create a barrier. Basements built with ICFs are much more comfortable and feel like the upper levels, creating more truly livable and valuable space. With proper waterproofing and installation, ICFs create warm, dry basements for years to come. While an entire ICF struture is preferable, ICF basements can serve as the foundation and livable space for a stick-built home.
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What are insulated concrete forms?
Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are hollow foam blocks which are stacked into the shape of the exterior walls of a building, reinforced with steel rebar, and then filled with concrete. Insulated concrete forms combine one of the finest insulating materials, Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), with one of the strongest structural building materials, steel reinforced concrete. The result is a wall system of unmatched comfort, energy efficiency, strength and noise reduction.
What are the advantages of an insulated concrete form structure?
Insulated Concrete form structures are much more comfortable, quiet, and energy-efficient than those built with traditional construction methods. Use the menu on the right for more details about the advantages of insulated concrete form homes and buildings.
Live happily ever after... in a home built with
ICFs are...
Comfortable & Quiet
Energy Efficient
Affordable
Safe
Permanent
Adaptable
Earth-Friendly
A common question home buyers ask is, "If ICFs are so great, why isn't everyone using them?" The answer is two-part and simple:
First, though ICF technology has been around for years and is continually improving in both function and affordability, it's still relatively unknown to the general public and traditional homebuilders. There's no doubt you'll see more and more ICF construction as people become educated about its many benefits.
Second, building an ICF home benefits you, the home buyer, not necessarily the homebuilder. Obviously, a builder benefits from the increased satisfaction his customers experience with an ICF home, but that's a long-term payoff. In the short run, it costs more to build, it's less familiar to them, and frankly, it's less profitable than slapping up a good old wood frame home. So a home builder who is unfamiliar with ICFs is not going to educate you about this far superior option.
However, a home builder who is experienced with ICF will vouch for the many advantages of ICFs for both builder and buyer. And, generally, because of the minor learning curve on ICF construction and the great technical support available, many builders you choose would probably be willing to use ICFs at your request.