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INSULATION
Dunnington 13 © Beco Building the future with ICF
ICF is one means available for reducing the carbon footprint of new housing, says Christopher Stride of the Insulating Concrete Formwork Association.
When used correctly, ICF offers excellent buildability, flexibility and virtually limitless design potential
T
he drive to improve levels of energy efficiency and airtightness while reducing a building’s reliance on heating and cooling systems has paved the way for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to provide simple solutions. Taking a fabric-first approach is considered the most effective approach to achieving these standards with the concept featuring heavily in the Part L changes which are an interim step to the Future Homes Standard. This focuses on enhancing the building’s.
Although many think MMC means volumetric builds, it is in fact an umbrella term which encompasses a vast array of systems. Each one is different, but they all provide the speed while creating high- quality, energy-efficient homes. Site-based insulated solid wall construction methods like ICF sit under the MMC umbrella. A system that uses construction methods already familiar to contractors enabling it to integrate easily into developments. When used correctly, ICF offers excellent buildability, flexibility, and virtually
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limitless design potential. A great example of this is the ease of adding aesthetic details, such as recessed doors and windows. In fact, some design elements, like corner windows or cantilevered openings, are simpler to construct with ICF compared to traditional methods because they don’t require complex structural solutions.
It’s not just about U!
ICF systems provide high levels of energy efficiency. One of the biggest problems in achieving high U-value levels is ensuring the installation of the insulation is correct – any gaps and the building will underperform. This is not typically a problem with ICF. During construction, the blocks lock to keep the concrete in place while setting.
The combination of the tight fitting insulation, which wraps both sides of the building, sitting in direct contact with the concrete provides one of the biggest benefits of ICF structures. While figures can vary depending on the chosen system and building design, ICF constructions typically achieve U-values around 0.18 W/m²K.
ADF NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
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