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ICF – the concrete choice for true building performance
Jean-Marc Bouvier, UK technical manager for Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) manufacturer NUDURA, talks about how this proven building envelope technology offers a fast-track, economical and sustainable solution that’s built to last
B
uilding with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) is a proven way of creating an eco-friendly, stronger, safer building that’s highly energy efficient, needs minimal
maintenance and repair; and one where design possibilities are limitless. It’s a modern method of construction suitable for commercial, residential, industrial, institutional, healthcare and a variety of other building types. Switching from traditional building methods to ICF tech-
nology will significantly reduce labour and increase speed of build. ICF offers considerable benefits over both brick and block and timber frame.
But what is an ICF? The forms consist of two stay-in-place
panels of expanded polystyrene. The best engineered systems are connected with an innovative folding web which minimises wastage and offers greatest flexibility. The forms are transported flat to site, opened and stacked, reinforcement placed, propped and then filled with concrete, creating a solid monolithic con- crete wall for above and below ground applications. ICFs offer great durability and strength; for example, a 15cm
core wall can be designed to heights up to 4.3m within a single storey. ICF structures have been built up to 25 storeys in height, making them ideal for hotels and skyscrapers.
Continued overleaf... respond online at
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Curly House was designed by Ecotecture architects to Passivhaus and built in ICF after a two-storey timber frame Passivhaus build had been refused planning in an AONB
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