ICF & Lifespan

ICF & Lifespan

What You Should Know About ICF

A guide by the Insulating Concrete Formwork Association

What is the lifespan of building an ICF Home and is there any historical data on the longevity of these systems compared to standard brick and mortar?

Let’s be honest, when deciding to build a property, usually you’re not looking for something temporary. But when designing a new building, have you considered the longevity of your chosen build material? Go for robustness and strength in a building material, such as an insulated solid wall construction method like ICF, and it should deliver a property that lasts for years to come.

We look at the history of ICF systems, explore what gives the buildings their strength and look at how long the property will last.

History of ICF

ICF is recognised in the construction industry as a Modern Method of Construction (MMC). Although classed as ‘modern’, the build method dates back to the Second World War when it was used to rebuild European cities badly hit by bombing. Over the decades its popularity has grown, initially with self-builders who recognised its environmental build credentials, but more recently by developers for its durability, cost and time-saving benefits.

Today, the application method and materials used for this system remain largely the same and there is an abundance of statistical data and research papers that demonstrate the lifespan of building an ICF home as well as its environmental credentials and disaster resilience. In the UK, the most commonly available systems are either expanded polystyrene (EPS) or mineralised recycled wood chips mixed with cement known as woodcrete.

Why Do ICF Buildings Have A Long Lifespan?

The ICF blocks are formed from two layers of an insulating material which are separated by a hollow cavity. This is either, as mentioned above, your EPS or woodcrete ICF system.

To build the wall, the blocks are stacked and interlocked tightly via a raised edge with no need for mortar. Concrete is then poured into a central cavity to create a strong core.

The insulating material in the block protects the concrete, enabling it to set very quickly but cure slowly to build additional strength. Tests have shown that a concrete block typically has a strength of seven newtons whereas an ICF building is around five times stronger at typically 35 newtons.

A well-designed and maintained structure built using the ICF method can last up to 100 years or even longer.

When compared with traditional brick and block, concrete has certainly become a better alternative, especially since it has proven to be more resilient.

With stricter construction codes and changes to Building Regulations, incorporating enhanced standards such as energy efficiency, sustainability, natural disaster resistance, and structural integrity have become even more important. An innovative modern method of construction like ICF can tick all of these boxes.

The Lifespan of Building An ICF Home

Third-party certifications show that the lifespan of building an ICF home should have a service life of not less than 60 years. However, concrete is an incredibly strong material that has been known to last hundreds of years. We only need to look back to the Romans to see real-life evidence of where the concrete buildings are still standing.

Of course, achieving this longevity is only possible when the building is designed and manufactured correctly. For this reason, we would always recommend working with one of our ICFA members. They will only supply their products to installers who are fully trained in their installation procedure. Our members will also work closely with contractors and designers to offer the right guidance and advice for the build.

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