ICF BLOCKS
Nexcem is a company whose leadership has over 30 years’ experience specifically in manufacturing Insulated Concrete Forms from cement bonded wood fiber materials. Find out more about Nexcem and their amazing product line at https://www.nexcembuild.com Starting with the original inventors of the material, they have learned from, and built on over 70 years knowledge spread over 7 continents and 14 manufacturing locations throughout the world. The development of this material was made possible through the creation of a unique, natural treatment process that allowed raw wood fiber to be bonded with Portland cement. The softwood aggregate is a by-product from the lumber industry, as well as carefully selected recycled material from the construction industry. The Nexcem product line includes: ICF Forms, Railway Silencers, High Performance Windows, and many other Nexcem products.
Now that you know more about Nexcem and their product line, let’s talk about the benefits of insulated concrete forms. Insulated concrete forms are gaining popularity for use in a wide variety of residential and commercial construction applications. But do you know what benefits ICFs offer builders?
ICFs are like Lego blocks that interlock with each other, then are filled with concrete to create walls. The resulting walls are much stronger and more energy efficient than traditional wood-framed structures.
Energy Efficiency
Insulated concrete forms are a great way to reduce energy costs. They are highly insulated and provide significant energy savings over the life of the home. They also protect against natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes. ICF walls are built with a combination of concrete and foam insulation, which makes them resistant to air infiltration. They are also able to absorb and release heat to help keep the building comfortable during extreme weather conditions. Another benefit of ICFs is that they require less concrete than traditional wood-framed walls. This can save builders money and time. In addition, ICFs are delivered to the job site as pre-assembled straight form blocks, which can save up to 25% in materials and expenses.
Strength
An insulated concrete form system is a versatile construction method that can be used to build a variety of buildings. It combines the thermal qualities of expanded and extruded polystyrene (EPS and XPS) with the strength of concrete to create a strong, energy-efficient home or building. In addition to providing superior insulation, ICFs are fire-resistant and help reduce homeowner’s insurance premiums. They also provide a high level of resistance to floods and wind damage. Another benefit of utilizing ICFs is that they are easy to assemble. They are lightweight and can be moved around a job site quickly. ICFs can be used to construct everything from basements to multi-story homes and commercial structures. They are also great for creating green buildings that save energy and are environmentally friendly.
Durability
ICF walls are incredibly strong and will hold up better against earthquakes and hurricanes than houses built with wood framing. They also resist fire better than framed walls. Homes built with ICFs have higher R-values than other buildings and can save 20 percent of energy costs. Insulated concrete forms can be used in a wide variety of projects. They’re especially popular for green building projects, and many home builders have used them to build environmentally friendly houses.
Versatility
Using insulated concrete forms gives you the ability to make your walls and foundations more durable. In addition to reducing energy expenses, ICFs also allow you to create a more environmentally friendly home by lowering indoor air pollution levels. This is especially true when built correctly. The disadvantage of utilizing ICFs is that they require specialized labor, and they may be more expensive than conventional building processes. This is particularly true if you live in an area with very few contractors that can build with ICFs.
When built correctly, ICFs can save you a few inches in thickness compared to traditional straight form builds. Additionally, they can improve your concrete curing time. However, ICFs can create a challenge when it comes to adding electrical and plumbing fixtures because they cannot be cut into the concrete wall.
Cost
Insulated concrete forms reduce labor costs and are able to be built icf blocks any time of year, regardless of the weather. This allows home builders to save weeks and even months compared to traditional wood framed construction. Because of their consistent R-values, ICF walls use less energy for heating and cooling. In addition, the thermal mass in an ICF wall helps to retain heat during colder weather. The fact that ICF construction uses fewer trades on the job site means that your project will be finished faster. This also leads to lower jobsite waste. ICF homes also require fewer materials for the foundation and do not need exterior waterproofing or a vapour barrier. Additionally, ICF homes resist fire and are able to meet the World Green Building Council’s net zero standards when fitted with solar panels. Now that you know more about the benefits of the insulated concrete forms, it is time to go back to the website of Nexcem to inquire about their product line. You will be happy that you did!
