OFFSITE AND MODULAR CONSTRUCTION


A concrete idea for efficient builds


Chris Stride from the Insulating Concrete Formwork Association explains why this type of modern method of construction could provide the answers for your seluild when it comes to speed, eficiency and airtightness


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uilding your home can be a challenging task. Obviously, you want to make the best choices but with a multitude of design and product decisions available, it can be hard to know where to start.


As construction technologies advance so does your choice of techniques, especially in the area of MMC. This umbrella term covers any non-traditional construction system that typically offers numerous enefits including a reduction in construction time, improved energy eficiency and increased uild uality. Self-builders, fully aware of the


numerous enefits C can oer, have led the way in adopting these innovative methods. It’s worth doing your research to find out which techniue is est or you. There are a wide range of methods available, including offsite manufacturing and also innovative onsite techniques such as ICF.


ICF


An insulated solid wall construction method like ICF can offer numerous additional advantages when compared to other modern methods. This tried and tested construction system has been around since the Second World war when a simple build method was needed for rebuilding various badly bombed European cities. Today, the application method and materials remain largely the same. Typically, two panels of insulating material connect to create a building block structure (these are either a pre- moulded form or connected through


plastic ties). Concrete is then poured into a cavity between the panels which creates an incredibly airtight, energy eficient and resilient structure.


BUILDING WITH ICF


It is the simplicity of ICF that makes it particularly appealing and incredibly fast to work with. A standard, single-storey structure can easily be constructed in as little as three days!


This method also has a lot of similarities to traditional construction methods that contractors will already be familiar with. The ICF blocks are stacked, like blockwork or bricks, but instead of needing a bedding material such as mortar they instead lock via a raised profile along the edge o the formwork. The walls are usually built in stages, typically to a ground oor height at first, eore concrete is poured into the blocks. The process repeats until full building height is achieved.


WILL ICF RESTRICT MY DESIGN? Despite their dimensions, ICF blocks have the capability to create almost any design – from a traditional farmhouse through to a contemporary home with bespoke shapes or curved walls. This gives you and your architect the opportunity to set your creativity free! We would always recommend getting your supplier involved at this stage in the process – they have the expertise and technical resources to maximise the potential of your ICF. Concrete is well known for delivering


an incredibly strong build. ICF offers the additional advantage of allowing the concrete encased within the formwork to set quickly but cure very slowly, and tests have shown that an ICF building is around five times stronger than a concrete block structure. Combining the ICF with steel rebar


increases the overall strength of the structure making it suitable for the entire


It’s the simplicity of ICF that makes it particularly appealing, and incredibly fast, meaning a standard single-storey structure can easily be constructed in as little as three days jul/aug 2022


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