As more people are searching for green ideas in homebuilding, new designs for home foundations are emerging at a rapid pace. Ideas using sustainable building materials, energy efficient construction, and smart home design are all finding footholds with builders and homeowners across the country. Many people who are wishing to construct their homes more conscientiously are starting from the ground up.

Traditionally, home foundations require the most careful execution of any stage in the building process. Now, with even more options available for builders, this is especially true. Along with regular concrete basements, many builders are offering ICF construction, or building using insulated concrete forms as both materials and process.

Using ICFs in Home Foundations

ICFs are high-density Styrofoam forms that surround the concrete both during and after installation. They are used to create strong, thermally insulated home foundations that also significantly reduce noise. ICFs help create an airtight envelope around the house that can drastically reduce energy consumption and utilities bills.

ICFs are also widely used for above-grade walls in homes across the country. Cosmetically, they can be shaped into curves, complex overhangs, and many different designs. Structurally, they can frame, insulate, and wrap new homes in a single step, and provide excellent fireproofing, thermal enveloping, and little deterioration over decades of use--factors that translate into lower utilities costs and, ultimately, a higher resale value.