What Are ICF'S?

ICF stands for: Insulating/Insulated Concrete Form.

ICFs are stay-in-place concrete forms that typically consist of two pieces of EPS (expanded polystyrene) joined together by a plastic web or tie. The web connects the foam together and is often utilized to hold the steel rebar in place throughout the concrete installation. The forms are stacked together to achieve the building design. Once the forms are in place they are temporarily braced and aligned to allow for concrete placement. Once the concrete has been installed, the form entombs the concrete and acts as an ideal environment for the curing process. This enables a true “moisture cure” situation that often multiplies concrete’s compressive strength factors.

From a structural perspective, a finished ICF wall is a monolithic, steel reinforced, concrete assembly.

One the most beneficial feature of an ICF is that long after it has fulfilled its role as a concrete form, it continues to perform with its superb insulating qualities throughout the life of the building!