What about the problems with condensation and damp?

You cannot ignore the problems that continuous moisture brings for occupants. A home filled with moist air can suffer from musty odours, damage on walls and ceilings, mildew and worst of all trace of mould.

The problem is so bad that the latest study from UKCMB, the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings, recorded that “moisture problems have worsened over the past five years. In the UK this mostly “down to poor monitoring and maintenance, irrespective of era or construction type”.

Most concerning of all are the significant health effects it can cause, particularly for the young and elderly. According to the NHS, you are “more likely to have respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma” since the damp and mould can “produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances”.

This is where choosing a build solution like ICF can make a real difference, providing opportunities to improve the quality of the environment within the building, bring with it potentially significant improvements in the health and well-being of the occupants.

High levels of thermal performance – With ICF, the blocks are made from two layers of an insulating material which are stacked to create the wall structure. Concrete is poured into a central cavity within the block, allowing it to sit in direct contact with the insulating block to create a monolithic and solid structure. The end result, if designed and installed correctly, is a building that offers exceptionally low U-values and excellent thermal mass and an, even, stable temperature throughout the home.

Providing superior airtightness and prevents thermal bridging – The concrete in the core of the building has a high storage capacity which, combined with low thermal conductivity, stabilises temperature fluctuations between the outside and interior of the building to minimise condensation and mould. Be aware that as an airtight structure, your designer will need to have a clear understanding on how to effectively ventilate the structure. Solutions include installing a Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery (MVHR) system to keep humidity at a perfect level.

The best way to prevent moisture and condensation in the house is to make sure you have a well-experienced supplier you can trust which is why we recommend working with our ICFA members. They have the expertise and knowledge that can provide you with peace of mind. Most importantly, getting them involved early in the design process can help avoid potential issues (e.g., inadequate ventilation) from arising.