In the last 30 years, the number of concrete form insulated homes that are erected each year in America is growing. Concrete, once popular in residential construction during the tail end of the modernist period of residential architecture, has received somewhat of a comeback on the success of ICFs--insulated concrete forms--in homes. Concrete form insulated homes offer a number of considerable advantages over houses built with traditional framing techniques.

Once of the largest advantages to using ICFs in home construction is that they help create a tight thermal envelope around the house. The thermal envelope is what homebuilders call the degree of insulation and airtightness of a house. A tight thermal envelope usually corresponds to more effective spatial conditioning (heating and cooling), greater energy efficiency, and reduced water damage and air leakage.

The Strength of Concrete Form Insulated Homes

Concrete form insulated homes are also more durable than standard wood-frame houses. Concrete is known to withstand hurricane-force winds, making ICF construction a popular choice in the southeast and in the tornado-prone Midwest. Some brands of ICFs have as high as a three hour fire rating, which makes them some of the most durable houses around.

ICFs can be used to build entire walls, seamless from the foundation up, that are more elegant than older concrete homes. The ease of use of ICFs allows builders to shape them into complex radius walls and insert large windows and doorways. They can also finish the exterior with any material they need, turning the foam and concrete construction into smooth stucco, brick, or siding.