ICF Insulated Concrete Formwork

The ICF system (Insulated concrete formwork) has been designed to comply with NZ Building Code & practices and combines the tremendous strength of steel-reinforced concrete with the insulating properties of expanded polystyrene to produce one of the most revolutionary and comfortable building systems in construction today.

The ICF Block system has been successfully used in the USA since the late 1960's and currently there are in excess of 50 different US brands available. ICF Block systems are also manufactured here in New Zealand. ICF continues to be a significant force in that market and with naturally occurring environmental events becoming more intense and frequent the system will become the product of choice.

There is no limit to what can be built with the ICF system. Standard single story, two story, multi-story, even curved walls can be achieved. Any conventional interior or exterior wall covering can be accommodated. The ICF system allows for greater flexibility in design possibilities in comparison with traditional construction methods. In many cases using ICF can reduce construction times and costs in comparisim to other competing construction materials & methods.

ICF systems are energy efficient; up to 50% (or more) can be saved on heating and cooling bills over houses of similar size, but built with traditional materials such as timber (including steel) sticks.

v Simplified Construction - The ICF modules, which are constructed of expanded polystyrene, snap together on-site to form hollow interlocking blocks. Polypropylene spacer ties are inserted into each polystyrene unit and the interlocking blocks are stacked and filled with reinforced concrete to form a solid core, creating a permanently insulated concrete structure.

v Moisture Resistant - The indoor climate of your ICF-Block home is protected by the air and water vapour barrier qualities of the ICF-Block system.

v Air Tight - ICF Blocks features tongue and groove joint assembly on the EPS form to minimise thermal heat transfer.

v Fire Rated - ICF-Block forms are made of flame-retardant expanded polystyrene which meets NZ Building Code requirements.

v Sound Proof - Walls constructed with ICF-Block forms dramatically reduce outside noise pollution. The result is a superior sound environment similar to a recording studio. Similarly use of ICF Blocks for selected internal walls or inter-tenancy walls creates great quite zones.

v Cost - The cost to build your ICF-Block home will be comparable to that of other energy-efficient structures but with the additional numerous benefits.

v Heating and Cooling - The minute you move into your ICF-Block home, you begin saving money. That's because ICF-Block walls are airtight and have extremely high insulation values. A house using conventional construction materials would have to be insulated to a value R-8.5 to achieve similar benefits and savings. Savings of 50% (or more) on heating and cooling costs are possible.

v Resale Value - All the features integrated into an ICF-Block home will add value when it comes time to sell.

v Environment - ICF-Blocks also reduce the pressure on precious natural resources because they replace the timber used in frame construction and greatly reduces the amount of fuel / energy needed for heating and cooling.

v Versatility — Multi-Story Buildings, Tilt Walls, Curved Walls, Retaining walls, Swimming pools, Multi-Tenancy & Motels.

Please contact us for more information on the design possibilities of the ICF system being incorporated into your project. Email PROJEX Construction.

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