Building a new home isn’t just about getting the walls up fast and efficiently, it’s about crafting a safe, sustainable and comfortable shelter that stands the test of time. The best building method to achieve an energy-efficient and durable house is Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). Whether you’re a homeowner, architect, contractor or distributor, keep reading to see how ICFs streamline residential building construction while addressing your unique needs.
Using ICFs and concrete for load-bearing walls results in a strong, highly insulated home that can withstand anything nature throws at it. Here’s how Nudura® concrete forms benefit homeowners:
With two layers of continuous insulation, an ICF home can achieve up to a 58% increase in energy efficiency. That means lower utility bills and a smaller environmental footprint—a win-win for the homeowner and the planet.
ICF houses are more resilient than those that rely solely on wood framing. They withstand winds up to 250 mph (402 kph) to provide superior protection against hurricanes, tornadoes and other extreme weather. With a minimum of a 6-inch (152 mm) concrete core, ICF walls have a fire-resistance rating of over 4 hours, compared to 45 minutes of a conventional wood-frame structure.
ICFs are famously durable to reduce your home’s exterior maintenance needs. Unlike wood framing, they resist rot, decay, termites, rodents, thermal transfer and air leakage, making them an investment that pays for itself in longevity.
Waiting for your dream home can be filled with anticipation, but ICF blocks are easy to install and can be stacked in any weather to streamline the build process. This means ICF construction can move 25-50% faster than other building methods to bring you closer to move-in day.
With ICFs, say goodbye to drafty basements and cold spots. The insulated concrete wall provides a quieter, more comfortable environment and healthier indoor air quality.
Builders and contractors will find that Nudura ICFs are a great fit to simplify and accelerate their projects so they can build higher-quality homes faster.
2. Ease of ConstructionICF blocks are extremely lightweight, making it less strenuous for workers to move them around the jobsite. With quality labor in demand, ICF construction is simple to learn, so novice and experienced builders alike can quickly gain the skills necessary to build with them. Start your training here.
Known as our Duramax® Technology, Nudura ICF blocks are 8 ft. (2.43 m) long, offering faster installation that covers more wall space in one step, with reduced waste. Similarly, our 4-Way Reversible System means blocks can be flipped and configured for numerous applications. The feature eliminates left and right corners which allows Nudura forms to be used in twice as many scenarios as non-reversible forms. Lastly, our Duralok® technology includes built-in fastening strips so forms lock together and stay secure during the concrete pour.
ICFs are a versatile tool for architects to design sustainable homes of all shapes and sizes.
ICFs can contribute to LEED points, FORTIFIED standards, FEMA P-320 safe rooms and ICC 500 storm shelters. ICF wall systems also meet or exceed the IBC Energy Code.
Benefits of ICFs for DistributorsOur ICF solutions even help building material distributors.
Insulated Concrete Forms are changing the way we design and build both homes and commercial structures. Their unmatched sustainability and disaster resilience, among other advantages, aid all building stakeholders before construction, during the build and long after the project is complete. Once a homeowner, contractor, architect or distributor tries ICFs, they’ll never go back to traditional building methods.
