ICF vs Conventional Stick Framing

ICF Construction Vs. Traditional Framing: Which Is Better for Your Home?

Are you planning to build a house of your own?

The most common idea would be to build it using conventional wooden sticks with an easy 2x4 or 2x6 structural framing method. There are many home owners who boast of such “green building” construction of their homes, and cherish the memory of how their fathers, or grandfathers did the same thing.

It certainly sounds very nostalgic.

However, you also need to acknowledge the fact that times have changed along with the global climatic conditions. You need an effective home construction plan to build a sturdy structure.

This is one of the primary reasons for which the idea of building a home with ICF construction has gained wide popularity in recent years.

What is ICF Construction?

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) includes both concrete and foam which are assembled on site. The building blocks made of foam are arranged in one place with the desired height and style. After the arrangement is done, the central cavity is filled with concrete mixture for the structure to become solid. The result is thick walls with good insulation, which is more durable and sustainable than any traditional 2x6 wood framing.

ICF Construction Vs. Traditional Framing

ICF construction is an amazing product of advanced technology which provides greater construction benefits than a conventional method of wooden stick framing.

Not sure how ICF provides higher performance and value to your construction than traditional framing?

We, at ICF Foundations Ottawa, are here to help you out! Find out below how ICF construction is a better choice for your house:

ü Provides Higher R-Value

The R-Value of your construction ensures that your house walls are very resistant to the conduction of heat. An average wood stud possesses an R-Value of 1 per inch. This can lead to quite a large energy loss because traditional construction has wooden studs every 16 inches meaning that between every batt of insulation you have a gap where energy is lost.

On the other hand, ICF construction can be hardy and does not deteriorate in quality for a long period of time. It can provide your home with R20 to R28 ratings with 2 complete thermal breaks. Such higher R-Value suggests that ICF construction creates a well-integrated insulated barrier which has lesser insulation gaps.

ü Ensures Greater Thermal Efficiency

Made of concrete walls and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam insulation forms, ICF construction provides constant insulation on both the inner and outer layers of the walls, that eliminates thermal bridging caused by either higher heat or cold transferring through wall studs and insulation gaps.

Thermal bridging is a common problem in traditional framing which can significantly increase your home maintenance costs. It occurs primarily because of the presence of moisture in the wooden lumber., As a result, it shrinks with the change of the climatic conditions and leads to cracks and other damages. ICF construction, on the other hand, is protected with a smooth flow of insulation which keeps your home strong and healthy.

ü Gives Better Protection in Case of Natural Calamity

If you live in an area with severe weather conditions, you need a building structure that is resilient to the ravages of nature. In this case, ICF construction provides the best alternative to the comparatively weak structure of traditional framing due to its concrete core. Find out how it can provide you with better protection:

·         Fire Protection: Many home insurance providers believe that concrete can withstand the impact of accidental fire, and provides better security with minimal damage.

·         Dust and Wind Protection: If your living area is very windy, constant flow of outside air into your home can cause you to develop respiratory problems like asthma. ICF construction keeps the dust at bay, keeping you safe and healthy.

·         Impact Resistance: The foundation of ICF walls are very strong, and remain unyielding to pressure or any severe impact. Your home is likely to suffer lesser damages in case of earthquakes, if it is built with ICFs.

·         Noise Resistance: When the concrete wall has greater thickness, it can reduce the outside noise impact by 30%. You are likely to receive greater benefits of it if you choose to stay in a high traffic zone.

ü Reduces Residential Costs and Saves Energy

You are very likely to get lesser utility bills if you home is constructed with ICFs.

Wondering how it is possible?

ICFs, unlike traditional framing, absorbs the heat during daytime while keeping the interior environment pleasant. On the other hand, it releases the heat inside the home at night, keeping your rooms cozy. It happens due to the greater thermal mass of ICF construction with an approx. 20Btu/sq. ft. x °F, which is far better than the capacity of traditional framing offering only 3 Btu/sq. ft. x °F.

With an integrated building envelope and good roofing insulation, the utility bill amount is reduced by 30-40%. Additionally, ICF constructions do not include any chemicals which is found in abundance in wooden frame structures.

ü A More Cost-effective Alternative

The higher installation charges of ICF construction discourages many home owners and they end up with traditional framing and its associated problems. However, quite contrary to the popular myth, ICF construction charges is only 3-5% greater than the cost of materials for traditional framing, though it can vary greatly as per the availability of materials and building experts in the locality. On the other hand, ICFs can suit your budget in many other ways such as:

·         You can cut down heavily on labor cost in case of ICF construction. Once you have the material, it takes half the time of any traditional wood-frame construction. Also, you save greatly on studding, vapor barrier, insulation and buying any good HVAC system for your home.

·         There is lesser construction waste found in ICF construction. As much as 60% of the construction materials used in ICF construction can be recycled.

·         You can try different widths and angles of walls with ICF construction, the thickness of which can vary from 4 inches to 12 inches.

·         ICFs can provide you with excellent indoor air quality as both concrete and EPS are non-toxic in nature.

·         An ICF construction is very likely to last 75-100 years with very minimal maintenance costs.

ICF construction has shown proven benefits in preventing thermal bridging, increasing energy efficiency, reducing green gas emissions and maintaining the overall integrity of your house. It is always better to consult with qualified building professional before you finalize your home designing with ICF construction. We, at ICF Foundations Ottawa, will help you take a better decision and assist you in installing ICF systems for your residential or commercial place. Contact us today and get the best ICF installation services.