ICF & Durability

What You Should Know About ICF

A guide by the Insulating Concrete Formwork Association

When building with an insulated solid wall construction method like ICF, are there any problems with durability?

Like with any property, there are always several criteria you want to meet. However, one element that might not be top of your list is the durability of the building, but it is something we should all consider. Aim for a durable structure and it can add value, make your building safer and reduce ongoing costs.

With the growth in technologies and construction methods, incorporating durability is now even easier to achieve. We look at the benefits of choosing durable materials for a construction project.

Why Consider Durable Materials In Build?

The first thing to address is what durability means in a building.

Design a structure that incorporates durable materials and it offers several additional benefits to your property, addressing common factors that any building endures over its lifetime.

Reduced Costs

Durable materials can withstand greater wear and tear compared to non-durable products. They are less likely to become damage which, over time, adds up to reduced maintenance and repair costs.

Building Performance

When designing a home you need your space to perform additional task e.g. enhancing the energy efficiency of the property. You will choose materials for their ability to assist in these roles. However, if the materials can no longer work as required due to damage, it goes without saying they will lose their ability to perform as intended.

Lifespan

Whilst building a dream home, a long lifespan will inevitably be a key consideration. Aim for durability in material choice and it can significantly extend the expected lifetime of a property.

Environment

Environmental factors are becoming increasingly important in the design of a building. The carbon created through demolition, waste and subsequent construction of a new building is incredibly damaging to the environment. Incorporate durability into your materials and it will increase the lifetime of your building.

What Are Durable Materials?

In the built environment durability in products, buildings or materials is linked to their ability to avoid degradation over time.

It is hard to categorise what a durable product should encompass, but here are some of the main criteria they should meet:

• Maintain its structure
• Resistance to heat and cold
• Resistance to moisture, mould and rot
• Fire resistance
• Resistance to animal life

Durable Materials Can Help Maintain Structure

Buildings that maintain their structure keep their shape. This starts with the structural integrity of the building when met by strong forces but can also extend through to whether the walls crack once installed.

By building with ICF, it is the simplicity of the technique that aids its durability.

To build the wall you stack the ICF blocks which interlock into place with no need for mortar. Concrete is then poured into a central cavity in the block. The ICF blocks remain in place once the concrete has cured.

One of the big advantages of building with ICF is the way it supports the concrete core. The insulating material of the blocks aids the concrete by allowing it to set quickly but cure incredibly slowly, developing additional strength.

Resistance to Heat and Cold

As the materials in our buildings expand and contract it slowly causes damage to the structure. To avoid this, you need to choose building materials that can absorb temperature fluctuations. It is no secret that concrete is perhaps one of the strongest and most durable construction materials. With its high-temperature storage capacity, concrete doesn’t expand or contract in extreme weather making it extremely durable.

Resistance To Moisture, Mould and Rot

The best way to avoid moisture, mould and rot is to limit cold surfaces by creating steady and even temperatures in all rooms. With ICF, once the concrete has set, the blocks remain in place to deliver two layers of insulating material which wrap around the building. The blocks sit in direct contact with the concrete to ensure the building is airtight and minimises cold bridging.

Fire Resistance

The solid concrete core in your ICF wall can create an almost impenetrable shell that protects the building and prevents fires from spreading internally and externally. Every ICF system is different but testing on the leading systems states that the wall has a fire protection rating of up to 4 hours. Plus, EPS forms are treated with a flame-retardant additive whereas the mineralisation process during the manufacture of Woodcrete blocks makes them fire-resistant.

Resistance To Animal Life

Last but not least you should consider the impact of small rodents, insects or animal life entering and setting up home in your building. Most insurance companies do not cover the damage caused by vermin, yet they can cause untold destruction and expense. The best way to avoid nasty surprises is to stop them entering the building. With ICF, the external walling also has no wood to attract woodworms or beetles and, with its solid concrete core, it is unlikely that any creatures will succeed in gnawing their way through the structure.

Looking To Build With ICF?

The correct design and installation of an insulated solid wall construction method like ICF plays an important role in create a strong and durable structure. If you’re looking to build with ICF, work with our ICFA members and get them involved early in the design process. Our members have the knowledge and technical resources to support your project and flag any areas that may require special considerations.

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Interested to find out more about the durability of the ICF system? Get in touch today!