In Case You’re Not Aware of the Benefits of Concrete Walls

Installing concrete walls will give many benefits to consumers and homeowners. These walls provide a strong and solid support system for many building structures. Like the traditional homes that are made of wood and other materials, people can remodel the exterior of the home into concrete to create better security and visual appeal for the structure. In addition, there are several techniques for constructing a perfect wall.

Preparing concrete walls that are conventionally used for foundations and commercial establishments are usually preferred by many people these days. This method uses a mold made of plywood to create a wall shape. Additionally, steel is also used to serve as a reinforcement before the concrete is placed into the mold. When the concrete is well prepared, the mold is removed and the insulation is attached on both sides of the concrete.

Furthermore, liners are also used for concrete walls. These materials provide additional elements for walls. At the same time, plaster is used to cover the interior part of the wall before paint is applied into it. The plaster and insulation are then used instead of drywall, which is not necessarily required to be used.

In addition, one of the best advantages of using this variety wall types, is that it can be molded and cut to provide additional dimension for architectural purposes. This type of concrete gives opportunity to contractors to create more designs for constructing walls. It also contains fine material such as grains of sand and natural element that allows concrete to expand. When that occurs, tiny air substance will form in the cement that makes it easier to manage in various shapes.

Moreover, these walls are also energy efficient that is why many architectural experts recommend them. They are built with polystyrene blocks with multiple metal ties, which are extremely tough. Furthermore, the concrete is poured at a particular angle to create an additional layer that can maintain internal temperatures. At the same time, it is used for plumbing and wiring, though it should be done while the wall is being formed to prevent any problems.

It is also ideal for people who want to modify walls since it can be adjusted by removing single block divisions. They possess a high density that casts out other types of walls. Unlike other classes, it does not incorporate other joints of any structure and gives the building more resistance to fire. This makes concretes perfect for home and other building structures.

The Best Way to Insulate

Since the late 1970′s people in the United States have tried to conserve energy when building homes. Overtime many different types of insulation and insulating products have been developed. Today, homes are being built with two to three times the R-value, how well a wall or roof is insulated, of the homes built thirty to forty years ago. The advancements in insulation have helped builders and the homeowners they serve save a great deal of energy. Can the building technology improve even more? How should we insulate homes in the future?

The newest way to insulate a home is actually one of the newest ways to build homes. Builders who are using polystyrene concrete forms to build homes are creating homes that are extremely strong and energy efficient. Homes built using this technology are built first by stacking the forms, and then cement is poured into the cavity of the forms. Immediately, the cement bonds to the foam and the new home has two layers of insulation sealed to a concrete core.

Those contractors who are insulated concrete forms builders are offering their customers a chance to have the best insulated home in the neighborhood. This type of home can have an R-value up to 50. The amount of energy and money to be saved by living in this type of home is truly significant.

Why is using insulated concrete forms the right way to insulate a home. Perhaps, it is because the insulation is part of the building process. By building a home using this method, the builder eliminates the need to place or blow insulation into a home. The need for vapor barriers and other related items no longer exists. The insulation is part of the home’s structure; therefore, the home is sealed against the outside elements.

Insulated Concrete Forms Are Changing Building Rules

Insulated concrete forms represent a break from the conventional practice of constructing buildings. The liquid substance is poured into prefabricated Lego-like interconnecting bricks that run along the outline of the building’s foundation. The ICF Construction regulations require that the blocks reach down thirty feet. In the colder climates this is typically the frost line. The sides of these blocks reach up to the roof line which can be more than one story high. The roof is foam sealed.

A conventional builder must be quite shocked to witness the speed in which the buildings are constructed with Concrete Forms. A conventional building system would require building the foundation by hand with wood framing. This process is very time consuming. Once the foundation has been poured the framers would come to frame the skeletal structure of the building.

The insulated Concrete Form has significantly sped up the construction process. It has also added some interesting benefits to the structure. According to the specifications these forms are able to withstand four hours of fire before they will succumb to the flames. They are also able to withstand 200 mph winds. It is no wonder that people are talking about this information.

The progressive building of twenty-first century houses also offers other benefits from this special foam material. Micro-organisms like allergens and different types of fungus cannot penetrate through the materials. People who have allergies will breathe more easily and everybody will benefit from breathing clean, filtered air in the house.

The Insulated Concrete Form has truly revolutionized the building industry. Homes are being built in locations that would have cost too much to sort out from an engineering perspective. One house that is being built in North Vancouver, BC on the side of a cliff offers the owners a fabulous waterfront view. No dynamiting was required to build the ICF Construction.This indicates that the technology allows for the construction of buildings at sites that would otherwise have not been considered.

Cement is also a versatile material to use in the home itself. The floor can be embedded with radiant floor heat and covered with a cement floor that has been sealed in an attractive epoxy coated paint or other coating. Concrete kitchen countertops are also very attractive in the modern looking kitchen.

Today’s home can save the homeowner a lot in terms of heating and cooling costs as well as building materials. When the builder uses just the one material the expense of building the house will be much lower than when they have to incorporate different components such as granite counter tops and tiled floors.

Kitchens can have cement sinks and bathrooms cement tubs and shower stalls. Steps can be made of the same material and all the accessorizing of the home such as concrete patio tables, chairs, planters can be made of cement. This is a versatile material that can be applied to any number of uses.

Insulated concrete forms are used throughout the world. They have been in active use in countries where winter temperatures go well below freezing. The technology is gaining rapid popularity in North America and will continue to grow in use as it saves homeowners so much money in the long run.

ICF Insulating Concrete Forms For Energy Saving Building Construction

Consumers are becoming more aware of the advantages of building green, energy efficient homes and commercial structures. They expect more from their buildings than what was traditionally acceptable. Soaring energy costs play a large role in this new awareness, but so does the desire for comfortable, safe housing that will continue to provide savings far into the future.

Because traditional building methods such as wood construction are becoming more obsolete as the need for green building features increase, Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) (also known as foam walls or foam forms) can be the answer for residential and commercial construction alike. Partnered with concrete, a tried and true product, ICFs provide user-friendly features while taking its stand among innovative products that ensure building strength, beauty, warmth and long-term energy savings.

Manufactured from expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, ICFs are hollow, double-sided, stay-in-place forms that shape building walls when filled with concrete. The forms come pre-molded as interlocking blocks connected by stabilizing plastic ties. ICFs contribute two permanent extra layers of four-inch thick insulation to a concrete foundation or wall, bumping finished wall insulating values to as high as R-23. The airtight bond between EPS and concrete achieves 50 percent less air leakage than traditionally wood-framed versions. This translates into lowered energy costs by as much as 30 percent due to the permanent physical stability of EPS.

Because ICFs cause concrete to cure at a slower rate, thirty percent stronger walls can be achieved. The mold and mildew resistant properties of EPS contribute to cleaner interior air. Insulating factors help reduce exterior noise that further contributes to a warm, peaceful interior.

Adaptable to custom walls, ICFs can accommodate ornate architectural demands so they are suitable for basements, warehouses, single family homes or multi-story apartments. Lightweight properties make ICFs easy to transport and install. Their interlocking blocks assemble easily and can be quickly trimmed to fit. On the job, ICFs require less total labor than traditional wood forms and due to its lightweight nature, keeps crews fresh throughout the work day. Because ICFs are simply stacked upon each other, similar to Legos®, less skilled labor costs may be required.

Wondering about the cost of using ICFs for your building project? It’s more affordable than you may think. Ultimately, given efficiency and ease of use, the cost of building with ICFs is very comparable to that of traditional materials. And don’t forget to factor in personal and social satisfaction provided by your new solid, snug, high-quality home or business that suits your proactive, environmentally responsible lifestyle.

Although standard ICFs are manufactured using the same principles, some brands offer distinct differences. For instance, a few manufacturer’s ICFs contain built-in flexible plastic ties that allow the forms to fold together, taking up much less space. This not only significantly reduces shipping costs, but also eases storage and transportation issues. Once on the jobsite, the forms unfold, then lock into position to accept concrete.

Ask your architect or builder about using ICFs for your home or business. They are ideal not only for new construction, but also for additions to an existing structure. Then enjoy the end result of saving on energy costs with two built-in layers of insulating EPS encasing concrete that helps provide perfect indoor temperatures year round. Safety, beauty and savings need never be sacrificed with the solid weather-fighting features provided by an office or home built green and secure with ICFs and concrete.

Why Radiant Barrier Insulation Under Concrete Slabs?

The reason we insulate under concrete slabs is for increased thermal efficiency. Basically, you want to stop or slow down the transfer of heat from the slab itself and the ground beneath it.

While any insulation improves thermal efficiency, radiant barrier insulation or reflective foil insulation also offers you other major benefits. These include the following:

Low Moisture Absorption
Radon Resistance
Termite Resistance
Low Water Vapor Transmission
Durability
Safe and Easy Installation

The inside material of reflective foil insulation is a single or double layer of encapsulated air bubbles and one or more layers of reflective aluminum sheets arranged in various configurations. These materials are not susceptible to water absorption. Thereby, liquid moisture does not pass through or is absorbed by the insulation. This property makes it ideal for use under concrete slabs where poured concrete is generally a high moisture application.

Today, almost all local building codes require the use of a radon barrier. Reflective insulation used in concrete slab applications achieves this. The product is extremely durable and the continuous weave of reflective aluminum foil and layers of polyethylene bubbles meet the requirements of a radon barrier material.

Reflective bubble insulation is a mechanical barrier to termites and meets all requirements as an appropriate barrier. For geographic areas that are considered to have very heavy infestation you should refer to your local building codes for appropriate guidance.

When tested in accordance with the ASTM E 96 Water Vapor Transmission of Materials, the perm values were near zero. The design of the material naturally has a very low moisture vapor transmission rate. When used in under slab applications, the product is an approved water vapor barrier. Overlap the seams to form a continuous sheet.

Reflective bubble insulation designed for under concrete use can easily withstand the stress of foot traffic needed in pouring concrete without tearing. In testing the compressive strength of this insulation designed for under slab use in a typical poured slab the product compressed fewer than 10% making it ideal for use.

These radiant barriers are available as a rolled product in various sizes. A sharp razor knife, foil tape, and a straight edge are typically all the tools needed for installation. The product is easily handled and safe to work with requiring no special equipment.

The Three Main Types of Foundations

The foundation is the first part of a home that is constructed. It creates a base for the rest of a home’s parts. If a foundation is not good, the rest of the house will have problems. Because there are options for choosing a foundation type, builders and home owners have an important decision to make. Any decision concerning a foundation should be made while keeping in mind the cost, market demand, soil composition, and weather conditions of the area.

There are three main types of foundations: full-height basement, crawlspace, and slab-on-grade. All of these foundations do a more than adequate job of supporting a house.

Full-Height Basement

Full-height basement foundations provide an accessible space between the soil and the bottom of the first floor of a home. This space can be finished to provide extra space for a family or left unfinished and used primarily for storage. This type of foundation provides more head room for individuals than a crawlspace will allow.

This foundation type is typical in an area with a colder climate where the foundation needs to be below the frost level. A foundation needs to be below the frost level to prevent it from cracking.

Crawlspace

A crawlspace foundation creates an accessible space with limited headroom between the soil and the bottom of the first floor. This type of foundation is predominantly used in areas with heavy clay content in the soil.

The crawlspace foundation does not provide a new room for a family to use but it does allow for ample storage.

Slab-on-Grade

Slab-on-grade foundations are the least complicated of the foundations. It is just a structural concrete slab poured directly on the dirt. There is no accessible space between the foundation and the dirt because the foundation sits on the dirt.

This type of foundation is popular in areas that have a high water table. The water table is the depth to which an individual must dig before he or she can find water.

All of these foundations are generally constructed from concrete. There are options to concrete though. The two main ones are Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) and Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs).

Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) are hollow, concrete blocks similar to cinder blocks. The hollow portions are filled with concrete from top to bottom to hold the blocks together and to hold the wall together.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are rigid foam insulation forms into which concrete is poured. The insulation forms are made of a mold, hardware, and any necessary bracing a wall or foundation could use.

After the concrete hardens in the form, the outside, the inside, or both forms are removed. This type of construction is common in areas that have building codes which require insulated foundations. The biggest benefit of this type of foundation is that the homeowner or builder can immediately finish the basement without adding studs.

Basic Insulation Buying Tips

Insulation is the process of enclosing or covering an object with a material that serves as a barrier and reduces (or blocks) the flow of energy, specifically heat. It is essentially used for the following reasons:

-To reduce heat energy losses.

-To prevent nearby objects from heating up.

Below are some examples where insulation is typically used:

-On appliances – stoves and ovens, refrigerators and freezers, water heaters, water pipes, etc.

-On industrial applications.

When done properly, insulation can provide indoor comfort (by keeping your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter) and energy efficiency.

Determining and buying the insulation that is right for your household can be a challenge. Below are some helpful hints on how to go about buying the perfect insulation for your home.

1. What to insulate. The first thing to consider is to identify where the insulation will be installed or used. A personal inspection of your home may be sufficient, but it is still best to let the qualified people (such as your contractor) do the job.

Depending on your (or an expert’s) findings, your household might need any or all of the following insulation:

-Wall/cavity wall insulation. Cavity wall insulation prevents your house from being exposed to rapid temperature changes outside. Studies show that heat loss due to un-insulated walls can reach as much as 50%, and cavity wall insulation could possibly prevent 70% of this from happening.

-Loft/roof insulation. Because hot air rises, heat loss through the roof can reach as much as 25%. This can be greatly reduced with proper attic or loft insulation.

-Duct/pipe insulation. Leaky ducts or pipes can contribute to an increase in your heating (or cooling) costs. They can also burst (or freeze), so it is also important to have them properly insulated.

-Water cylinders/storage tanks. Hot water cylinders and cold water storage tanks also need to be insulated to prevent them from being exposed to intense cold or heat.

2. What to use. Traditional insulating materials that are commonly-used in the households are the following:

-Fiberglass/fiberglass mats/mineral fiber. Fiberglass is the most common and versatile type of insulating material that is made from molten glass and spun into microfibers.

Usually pink or yellow in color, fiberglass comes in 3 forms:

Rolls – blankets of insulation that may or may not have vapor barriers, which prevent condensation in cold areas that could result in damage (such as mold).

Batts – similar to rolls but come in lengths ranging from 4 to 8 feet.

Blown – these are loose insulation that can be ‘blown’ into walls or ceilings.

-Cellulose. Another insulating material that is commonly used in households is cellulose. It is a fibrous material made from scrap or recycled paper (like newsprint or cardboard) that is shredded and treated with chemicals that would make it resistant to fire and insects. It is then applied (poured or blown-in) into place, either as loose-fill or wet-sprayed with the use of a machine.

-Rock wool. As the name implies, rock wool is an insulating material that is made from rock. Manufactured similarly to that of a fiberglass (with molten rock replacing glass), rock wool can be in the form of a hollow brick or a porous concrete block.

-Synthetic insulation. Synthetic insulating materials are manufactured in several forms, some of which are the following:

Polystyrene foam – usually as rigid, pre-cut boards.

Polyurethane foam – usually as boards or foamed ‘insitu’ (“in position”).

Spray-on expanding foam – similar to that found in aerosol cans, it can completey seal and insulate even the smallest areas in the house by ‘poofing’ up to as much as 2 to 4 times the original size when applied.

Deciding on the right material to be used for installation largely depends on the area that requires installation. Below are some of the standard insulating materials that are recommended for the specific areas in your home:

-For loft or roof insulation

*Mineral wool quilt

*Blown mineral wool

*Blown cellulose fibre

-For duct or pipe insulation

*Mineral wool mat

*Pre-formed split foam insulation

*Foil-faced fiberglass insulation

*Vinyl-faced insulation

*Ridged foam insulation

-For wall insulation

*Blown-in cellulose

*Fiberglass (batt and roll) insulation

3. Check with an expert. Aside from your personal considerations, the key to finding the perfect insulation for your home is to consult a professional who is knowledgeable in this field. It is still best to check with an expert, who could provide you with several options that would best suit your needs.

Insulating your home may add to your household expenses today, but in the long run, it will not only save you money (by lowering your utility bills); it will also protect you and your property.

Recycled Metal Along With the Rollforming Process – Going Green With Building Materials

Going green with regards to building materials may take on new meanings depending on where you are building. However, a definition that is fairly universal for a green building states that a green building is erected using methods that increase efficiency within the building and that focuses on conservation of the materials used in both the construction of and maintenance of the building. There are a wide variety of products from which to choose with regard to both increasing efficiency and conserving resources.

These range from using products that improve the efficiency of the insulation and are made from renewable or recycled products. This may include cotton insulation or building using straw or packed earth, therefore increasing the insulation factors. There are some foam products that increase the efficiency markedly that are preformed and use less concrete than traditional concrete block structures. These are becoming more and more accepted in both hot and cold climates, including salt water environments. They are practically indestructible once the construction is finished. Along with the prefabricated building material, metal is becoming a product that is used instead of wood. One of the reasons for this is that metal can be recycled thus adding it to the renewable category of building materials.

In most cases it doesn’t matter how often the metal is used, it can still be recycled. Unlike wood which has little or no reusability other than as firewood, most metals can be melted and reused. Once the metal has been recycled, a rollforming process can be used to fabricate products used in the building process. Everything from roofs to beams can be made from steel and used in the construction of both residential and commercial buildings. With the use of hydraulic shears and roll form dies the recycled metal can be punched, cut and reformed into a variety of strong building materials that are as much or more versatile than wood.

As metal forming machinery becomes more sophisticated, so do building materials. Metal is an amazing creative tool in the hands of architects and builders. Without the added cost of creativity, the use of steel offers advantages in framing and cladding roofs and walls. Steel allows houses to be easy and cost effective to insulate. They also are fast and easy to erect, savings money in the cost of construction. Steel also adds the advantage of being capable of withstanding earthquakes better than some of the other construction materials.

The Fire Resistance of an Insulated Concrete Form House

Of all the construction materials used today, concrete is one of the most resistant to fire. This fire resistance gives the insulated concrete form house important safety advantages over traditional wood frame structures. Unlike wood, concrete cannot burn; and unlike steel, it won’t soften or bend. Concrete will only break down at temperatures of thousands of degrees Fahrenheit, which is far hotter than the temperature of a typical house fire. Fire resistance is rated in hours – how many hours a wall can endure temperatures of 2000° Fahrenheit. In independent fire-wall tests, it was found that a typical wood frame wall will collapse in an hour; whereas ICF walls will last for up to four hours.

In insulated concrete form (ICF) construction, integrated concrete forms made of hollow expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks are stacked up (they snap together like Lego toys), steel rebar is placed inside them and concrete is poured into them. When the concrete sets, the original foam forms become an insulating layer on the inside of the house, and a surface to attach siding or stucco on the outside. Besides being four times more fire resistant than wood, concrete walls also resist the passage of fire from one side of a wall to another better than wood – which is of particular interest in areas where brush fires can spread indoors. In fire-wall tests to measure the passage of heat and fire through a wall, ICF walls did not permit flames to pass through directly and they did not permit enough heat to build up on the cool side to ignite a fire. Wood walls, on the other hand, permitted both flames to pass through in under an hour. Since the EPS foams used to make an insulated concrete form are manufactured with flame retardant additives, the foam can’t burn by itself. If you touch a match to the foam, it just melts away. Of course, in an actual house fire foam may be subjected to flame from materials burning nearby. A Steiner Tunnel Test is used to measure flame spread – how much fire a material can carry from an outside source. The tunnel is lined with the material to be tested, a fire is run at one end, and measurements are taken to determine how far the flames spread inside. In a Steiner Tunnel lined with foam like that used in NUDURA block, the flames only traveled 1/5 as far down the tunnel as they did when it was lined with wood. While all organic materials give off emissions when subjected to flame or intense heat, it has been proven that the emissions from EPS foams are not more toxic than the emissions from burning wood. All scientific evidence has shown that ICF walls are far safer in a fire than wood frame. Moreover, in areas prone to tornadoes or hurricanes, ICF integrated construction is far and away more durable and safer than wood.

ICFs Are Flexible Enough To Build Any Type of House

There are many types and styles of homes because we each have our individual likes and dislikes. What works for a family of two does not necessarily work for a family of five. This is why contractors build various styles houses: ranch, Victorian, colonial, bungalow, etc. Builders know they have many different ideas to please so they want to be as flexible as possible in their ability to build many styles of homes. The common person might think that wood is the best core material for a builder, but newer building techniques are now available that make concrete just as “flexible” as wood.

The use of insulated concrete forms (ICF) is revolutionizing the way homes are being built. By choosing this building method a contractor is able to create less waste, build faster, and give the homeowner a unique house that is super insulated and will last a long time. The ICF system is an innovation in building because it combines the strength of concrete with the insulating power of polystyrene foam.

The residential wall systems being used in this innovative building process help make it a simple step by step process. The manufacturer engineers polystyrene blocks for a new home. The blocks are shipped to the construction site. At the site there may be some quick reshaping of some of the blocks, and then they are stacked on top of one another and snapped into place; supporting rebar is inserted into the block’s supporting web. Once this form is the desired size, concrete is poured. The concrete hardens and seals itself to the polystyrene foam. A strong, concrete wall with two layers of insulation is complete.

The ICF products available now to builders make building with concrete simple and flexible. The true flexibility of this type of building is not only shown in the different styles of homes that can be built but the different buildings. This building method is so flexible that people use it to build houses, commercial centers, warehouses, and even schools. Contractors build what their customer desire, and the customers receive unique structures that will save energy and stand up to Mother Nature.