Building with ICF's is Extremely Cost Competitive

 Energy Efficiency, Durability, and Resale Value Add Up to Big Savings

Buying a home is probably the single largest investment you'll ever make. Invest wisely. A beautiful home constructed with Insulating Concrete Forms will pay you back in terms of operating cost, resale value, and quality of living. Over the long run, benefits like energy efficiency, disaster and fire resistance, and durability reduce the cost of owning a home. Reduced noise and more even temperatures mean quiet comfort that you can enjoy year round.

History

Over the years, concrete prices have been remarkably stable. Price increases in other materials have generated interest in concrete building systems as never before. Labor savings and readily available materials make ICF’s, feature for feature, one of the most cost competitive wall systems in the U.S. and Canadian housing markets.

Concrete homes cost a little more than wood-frame homes. But lower energy bills and insurance premiums can offset the slightly higher mortgage payment. The real payback is in quality...the intangible benefits of a quieter and more comfortable home.

Lower Utility Bills

Concrete homes save energy in two ways. The mass of the concrete slows down the passage of heat or cold moving through the wall. With the same insulation, a concrete home stays warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Also, concrete walls are more air-tight than wood-frame walls. Since leaks account for a large percentage of energy loss in the home, concrete homes enjoy savings in energy consumption that add up to lower utility bills. A survey, conducted by Dr. Peter VanderWerf at Boston University, found that using insulating concrete forms (ICFs) reduces energy used for heating by about 44% and for cooling by about 32%. 

Reduced Insurance Premiums

Concrete homes resist fire. They're stronger than wood frame homes and safer during tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Insurance for concrete homes is often 15% to 25% lower. One insurance agent in St. Louis, Missouri, offers discounts on homeowners insurance policies of up to 25% for ICF homes. No one, however, can put a price on the peace of mind that comes with owning a concrete home and the added safety it provides.