Why use Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)?
ICFs are a proven technology that
has been used to make buildings stronger, safer, quieter, healthier,
more energy-efficient, less expensive to maintain, and more comfortable
to live in. ICF walls are resistant to severe weather, fire,
water, mold, and insects. There has been unprecedented growth
in the use of ICFs in recent years. Homeowners and commercial
property owners alike prefer ICF construction because it offers
huge advantages over other construction methods.
  
 
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can any builder make an ICF home?
No! The building process is different and builders need to be
trained on how to build with ICF. Cornerstone Construction's
skilled craftsmen are Trained and Certified in ICF construction.
I already have a floor plan picked
out, can I use it?
Probably. The flexibility of the ICF and concrete are such that
you have very few restrictions to the design of your home. In
fact, concrete can do some things wood can't.
Does the outside/inside of my house
look any different when I build with ICF?
No! The exterior of your ICF home will be finished just like
any other home. You can finish it with Siding, Wood, Brick, Aluminum,
Stucco, Perma-Crete,
etc. The inside of your ICF home is drywalled and painted just
like a traditional stick built home.
Does it cost more to build an ICF
home?
Yes and No. Over time it is actually less expensive to
own an ICF home!
Initially, it only costs between 4% - 8% more to build using
ICF than traditional stick construction. For example a house
estimated at $225,000 to build with 2 x 4's might cost $234,000
(4%) to build with ICF. That's a difference of only $9,000. With
a 30 mortgage, the additional expense to build with ICF amounts
to about $25 a month ($300 a year). When you factor in the energy
savings and the tax credit, it is actually less expensive to
own an ICF home! Lets say you run your furnace from November
to March at an average expense of $240. A conservative 40% ICF
Savings in your heating costs amounts to $96 a month x 5 months
= $480 in heating costs. And that's just your savings on heat.
You'll also save on cooling. On average, an ICF home requires
44% less energy to heat and 32% less energy to cool.
How can I get started?
Contact Cornerstone Construction at 262-857-7142 or Info@CornerstoneConstruction.com.
ICF Videos:
What Exactly is an Insulated Concrete
Form (ICF)?
An Insulated Concrete Form (ICF)
is made up of two panels of 16" x 48" expanded
polystyrene (EPS) panels connected by plastic ties that are spaced
8" on center and have the same nailing surface as a 2"
x 4" or 2" x 6". The panels are spaced
either 5" or 7" (inner dimension) apart from each other
creating a cavity that will be filled with concrete. The
ICF's are fit together like building blocks and filled with concrete
to form the exterior walls of your home.
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