After looking at seven major manufacturers of ICFs (Insulated Concrete Forms), we chose to work with a company in Canada that had the best design and performance characteristics. The product is called IntegraSpec. We liked the product for the following reasons:
1. The block was assembled at site. This allows them to be shipped flat. As a result we were able to ship our entire house on one truck. Other forms would have required two loads.
2. Assembling the blocks in place allowed us to reach behind vertical rebar to set pieces. Pre-assembled block would have required raising them above and dropping them into place with the vertical rebar penetrating them.
3. The 1' X 4' form is reversible. This cuts down the amount of waste and provides many new uses for the excess pieces cut off along the way.
4. The cost of the product was very competitive.
5. The design of the finished block form provides a 6" concrete fill throughout the entire height and width of the wall. This will provide a stonger wall with more concrete. Other types of ICFs create tubular or rectangular internal patterns that would diminish the amount of actual supporting cement.
Other factors that were effected our choice related to ecological and efficiency factors. We were duly impressed with the following results from an award winning home in Canada:
A custom home near Perth, Ontario constructed with two stories of IntegraSpec®, ICF wallsystem, recently received the EnerQuality R-2000 Environmental Excellence Award. The home tested 59% more energy efficient during the heating season than houses constructed to current building code standards. |
| The air conditioning and dehumidification cost savings (to be reported later this year) are estimated to achieve even higher efficiency giving a total energy savings unattainable by conventional construction. Other energy features in this IntegraSpec® home are 4" reinforced concrete main and lower floors with radiant hot water heating on both levels. |
| This R-2000 award winning house tested an amazing .55 air leakage rate at –50 Pascal. Since reduced air leakage and thermal mass are such major components in energy efficiency, IntegraSpec® may be setting new standards in the industry. "Our dovetailed grooves and ribs on the inside of IntegraSpec® ensures continual contact between the EPS panels and the concrete which assists such high energy performance", states Mr. Philippe, designer for this exciting ICF. |
| IntegraSpec® also offers something else to the construction industry and homeowner, a healthy choice. IntegraSpec®eliminates mould, mildew and volatile organic compounds (VOC's) commonly found traditionally poured concrete and pressure treated wood. This benefit clenched the coveted Healthy Home Award for this special home. |
| Philippe’s background, interestingly enough, is traditional concrete forming. After experimenting with other ICF’s in the early 1990’s, he decided to create IntegraSpec® which included something that was lacking …. a user friendly system. To date, every installer who uses IntegraSpec® reports speed and accuracy in set-up time, superior concrete placement, hassle free alignment and satisfaction. |
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