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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

INSULATING CONCRETE FORMS (ICFs)

What are Insulating Concrete Forms? (ICFs)
A: Insulating Concrete Forms are hollow blocks or panels made of EPS (expanded polystyrene) plastic foam that construction crews stack in the shape of the exterior walls of a residential, or commercial building. Workers then add reinforcing steel and fill the gap (typically 4' - 8', but can go to 2 feet) between the two layers of foam with concrete, which cures and hardens into a monolithic core. The foam panel stays in place. This combination of concrete, steel and foam creates an incredibly strong and energy-efficient structure.

What are the design possibilities and/or limitations with ECO-BLOCK?
A: Today's concrete homes can be created with virtually any design or architectural feature. ECO-BLOCK has furring strips every 8' imbedded in the panel to allow attachment of any finish - such as: wood, aluminum siding, brick, stucco and stone on t he exterior, and drywall or plaster on the interior. The result is a home that looks like any other structure in the neighborhood, but has all the benefits of solid concrete construction.

How much money can I expect to save on my utility bills?
A: A study commissioned by the Portland Cement Association concluded that homes built with ICF exterior walls offer up to a 50 percent savings for heating and cooling costs over comparable wood-frame houses.

What is the average R-value of ICF walls?
A: Walls made of ICFs perform, on average like a wood-frame wall constructed with R-30 insulation. But that's not the whole story. The equivalent R-value performance of ICFs consists of 3 factors. First, the R-value of the Expanded Polystyrene; Second, the thermal stability of massive concrete walls reduces the temperature fluctuations, and, consequently, the heat load requirements that are images to wood-frame buildings. And finally, air leakage (and/or infiltration) can account for 20 to 40 percent of the heat load requirements of a wood-frame building. ICFs eliminate this air infiltration through the wall assembly. As a result, with the combined performance of the R-value of the Expanded Polystyrene, the stabilizing effects of the thermal mass of the concrete, and the reduced air infiltration, ICF walls actually perform as high as R-40 or more in some areas of the country (Canada/US).

Won't the foam burn or give off added harmful emissions?
A: No. The foams in ICFs are manufactured with flame-retardant additives. The National Research Council (US) reviewed the numerous existing studies of fire emissions and concluded that the emissions from polystyrene foams are no more toxic than those of typical softwoods used in home construction.

Who can build ECO-BLOCK homes in my area?
A: Virtually every part of the country now boasts ICF homebuilders. For information on finding a contractor in your area, please contact Cancon Building Solutions - info@canecon.com Call 403-236-9101 or 403-236-9101, for builders/installers certified to work the this ICF product.

Why is ECO-BLOCK considered an environmentally friendly method of building?
A: In a building's life cycle (from construction to demolition), the greatest ecological impact is the amount of fuel needed to heat and cool the home. Insulating Concrete Homes are a preferred environmental choice because of significant savings in natural resources needed to maintain a comfortable temperature.

When building with ECO-BLOCK, will mold and mildew in my new building be a problem?
A: ECO-BLOCK ICFs can significantly contribute to a mold-free environment due to the inorganic nature of the material. They also create a very tight building envelope reducing unintentional air infiltration.

Can ECO-BLOCK be used for tilt-up applications?
A: Yes. The ECO-BLOCK system for insulating tilt-up concrete panels offers the speed of tilt-up construction with the benefits of an ICF wall. After setting the panels in the form, you install reinforcement and embeds, and place the concrete. Once the concrete achieves the specified strength, the wall is lifted in place and screw-ties directly to the web system on the panel. For each additional inch of concrete penetration, attach 1" extensions to the web.

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