Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF)

For decades, homes were built using a traditional stud-wall construction, but in recent years, an innovative EPS technology called ICF has been used to engineer homes to withstand the ravages of fire and hurricanes.

ICFs are hollow EPS forms that are erected at the construction site and then filled with five or six inches of reinforced concrete. Unlike traditional concrete forms, which are removed after the concrete cures, ICFs are left in place.

Because the concrete core is surrounded with EPS insulation, ICFs provide superior R-values and sound-deadening qualities. But because super-strong concrete is at the center, they also offer the strength to withstand the forces of nature that would normally destroy houses built using traditional building methods.

The engineers and technicians at Tri State Foam have worked to perfect the use of ICFs in homes and buildings. Our experience and custom engineering services will assure you a cost effective application of this smart innovation. Together, we will assist you in the formation of design ideas for all types of EPS applications.

Outstanding Performance

ICFs offer several benefits to home owners, including:

Greater Comfort and Lower Energy Bills

ICFs are known for their high thermal performance. An ICF wall with four inches of Type II ASTM C578 polystyrene foam insulation, combined with a five-inch concrete wall, is rated above R-17 at test temperatures averaging 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Air barriers provided by EPS insulation and concrete eliminate convection currents and the high thermal mass of the concrete walls buffers the home's interior from extreme outdoor temperatures. The result is a 25 to 50 percent energy savings over traditional stud-wall or steel-frame homes.

Extremely Quiet

In sound transmission tests, ICF walls allowed less than one-third as much sound to travel through them as did ordinary frame walls insulated with fiberglass.

Super Durable

Due to the superior strength of concrete, ICF homes are able to survive hurricane and tornado winds. ICF homes are becoming very popular in Southern and Midwestern states, where hurricanes and tornadoes are more likely to strike.

Ease of Construction

ICF homes require fewer man hours to build than stud-wall construction. Once a construction crew is trained in the ICF installation process, homes can be completed much faster than stud and fiberglass wall constructions.

Greater Design Flexibility

ICF forms can accommodate tall walls, curved walls and large openings, as well as long ceiling spans, custom angles and cathedral ceilings.

Because foam is easy to cut and shape, it allows contractors to build curved walls and custom angles without worrying about structural load considerations. To achieve these designs with stud-wall construction requires a lot more cutting and finishing work.

Environmentally Responsible

Building homes with ICF can provide environmental benefits in a number of ways. ICFs minimize the use of lumber, which preserves trees. Homes built using stud-wall construction typically result in a lot of cutting and trimming and, consequently, are costly for the contractor.

Finally, the superior thermal performance provided by ICF homes significantly lower the energy requirements for heating and cooling, which saves money for the homeowner.

The Future of ICFs

According to the Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA), ICF homes are easier to build, but there is a learning curve involved. More contractors and subcontractors are becoming familiar with the technology every day, while becoming more efficient at building ICF homes. As a result, the ICFA has noted a decrease in ICF labor costs. Over time, those costs will only continue to drop.

Two other factors will contribute to the moderating costs of ICF homes. First is the cost of concrete. According to the Portland Cement Association, the price of concrete has been fairly stable for the past decade, while other building materials, such as lumber, have risen considerably. Secondly, ICF design plans are getting more and more efficient.

According to the ICFA, EPS manufacturers and shape-molders like Tri State Foam should expect to see a tremendous increase in the production of ICF products.

Put Tri State Foam's Experience to Work for You

Tri State Foam has parlayed its three decades of experience working with EPS products into being one of the EPS industry's top manufacturers and distributors.

By providing outstanding service and fostering partnerships with our customers, Tri State Foam is now the preferred EPS maker for many contractors and building material distributors.

Our Martinsville, VA manufacturing facility is designed to produce EPS insulation for use in exterior insulating and finish systems (EIFS), structural insulation panels (SIP) and insulating concrete forms (ICF). In addition, Tri State Foam makes EPS for use in cold storage facilities, flooring, below grade foundations, buoyancy systems, custom products and is a top producer of geofoam, as well.

Call us today at 1-800-277-0967 and see why Tri State Foam should be your go-to company for all your EPS insulation needs.