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Concrete is poured into the rigid foam shell of the insulated concrete form (ICF) walls; a plastic water barrier has already been installed to protect the below-grade wall surfaces.

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The foundation walls are ICF block providing two continuous layers (R-23) of insulation around the slab, which will sit on an additional 4 inches (R-20) of low-VOC EPS foam.

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Right - A dimpled-plastic geotextile mat covers the below-grade insulated concrete form (ICF) foundation to help keep water out of the foundation and to reduce hydrostatic pressure on the foundation during freeze-thaw cycles in winter.

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Right – Insulated concrete form (ICF) blocks are stacked like bricks, then rebar is set horizontally and vertically in the plastic spacers, then concrete is poured; the rigid foam and spacers stay in place to add support and thermal resistance to the wall

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High-Performance Homes - A Simpler Design Strategy

Presentation

Webinar from Tom Patton of Fox Blocks on how changes to building codes are driving changes to framing assemblies and insulation, highlighting how ICFs can take over for traditional wood frame wall assemblies. Free EEBA login required.

ETW: Wall - ICF Wall Construction

Reference

Information sheet that summarizes Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction including advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

A pumper is used to place the concrete into the foam form walls

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ICF forms are filled with the use of a concrete pumper truck

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The ICF consists of foam forms that are held in place with plastic or metal spacers and reinforced with metal rebar

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Wiring runs are covered with canned spray foam to maintain the continuous foam layer that covers the inside and outside of these ICF block walls.

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Seams in the ICF block are sealed so the EPS foam surface can serve as the drainage plane; no house wrap is needed.

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Termites and ICFs

Reference

Document with information on preventing termites when using ICFs.

Concrete Homes

Reference

Information sheet discussing the properties and benefits of insulating concrete forms.

Utilities are commonly recessed into cutouts in the foam after concrete has been poured

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Thermal bridging is eliminated at the rim joist with the use of joist ledgers that are anchored in the wall

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Energy Benefits of Application of Massive Walls in Residential Buildings

Reference

Presentation about results from an insulating concrete form energy efficiency study in Knoxville, TN.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Devoted Builders, LLC, Mediterranean Villas, Pasco, WA

Case Study

Case study describing 50% energy saving projects for new multifamily homes in cold climates.