With fluctuating lumber prices, builders and developers are searching for solutions to keep profitability up and homes affordable. An alternative to wood framing to consider is insulated concrete form (ICFs) construction.

ICFs from Nudura provide design professionals, architects, engineers, and contractors a more efficient way to build structures. In addition to being a more cost-effective resource than lumber, the innovative material offers many benefits throughout the construction process and for homeowners.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Today’s buyers are demanding more energy-efficient and sustainable homes, and regulatory energy-code requirements are becoming increasingly strict. Nudura ICFs provide up to 58% energy savings compared to traditional building methods using wood.

This is because Nudura ICFs feature two expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels that are reinforced with steel rebar and filled with concrete. The result is an airtight structure that enables more efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation, creating a healthier living environment that lowers energy bills.

ICFs are also made from recycled materials and produce less waste during the construction process, sending less waste to our landfills. When combined with other energy-efficient construction methods, they drastically reduce carbon emissions. If you’re thinking about building to LEED green home standards, ICFs can contribute significantly to LEED certification points.

DISASTER RESILIENCE

 As floods, fires, and natural disasters become more frequent with climate change, the need for stronger, safer homes has never been greater. Offering homeowners peace of mind, ICFs are more resistant to disaster, fire, insects, and moisture intrusion than wood-frame structures.

Homes built with ICFs are designed to be durable against extreme weather conditions. Steel-reinforced solid concrete cores ranging from four inches to 12 inches provide far superior strength and safety compared to wood. Non-toxic, fire-retardant expanded polystyrene foam delivers a fire protection rating of up to four hours.

The walls can even withstand great impact, with a wind resistance of up to 250 mph (402 kph), equivalent to an F4 tornado. In fact, homes built with Nudura have survived wildfires, Hurricane Michael, Hurricane Ivan, Hurricane Katrina, and more.

FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT CONSTRUCTION

Efficiency during the construction is always important, but it becomes even more so as labor costs rise and COVID-19 safety precautions add time delays. Rise to the challenge and maximize your ROI by building with ICFs, which cover six building steps in one. They’re also easier and faster to build with than wood, allowing you to save time and money.

Flat packed and easy to ship, move, and install, the ground-breaking material takes up less space on the job site and helps you reduce labor and other expenses. And unlike wood, it’s possible to build year-round with ICFs, even in below-freezing temperatures, so you never have to slow operations.

Concrete forms even offer greater design flexibility, empowering architects and engineers to create unique structures. The interlocking forms can be custom cut to the shape or radius you specify, maximizing design possibilities for single or multi-story projects with tall, retaining, or load-bearing walls.

These are just a few of the reasons why it pays to transition to ICFs for new home building projects. Boost your profit margins and create safe, reliable, and sustainable structures that will keep homeowners satisfied and comfortable for years to come by making the switch.

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