Recent consumer interest in environmentally friendly living has spawned a wide array of innovative building technologies, but one of the "easiest" and "greenest" construction methods - Insulated Concrete Forms - has been available for over 20 years.

"Insulated Concrete Forms, or ICFs, are foam-based building blocks that offer an airtight wall for superior thermal and sound insulation," explains George Kosmuk, Director of Marketing for LOGIX Insulated Concrete Forms. "They're not only sturdy and long lasting, they're also quicker to build with, energy-efficient and can achieve a four-hour fire rating."

With recent price volatility of natural gas and oil, and with predictions of skyrocketing prices to come, energy effi ciency is of greater importance than ever before! With ICFs, you save more heat in the winter and retain more cool air in the summer, which should reduce you energy costs.

ICFs are up to eight times stronger than conventional woodframe constructed walls and are much better able to withstand the damaging effects of strong winds. Recent hurricane disasters, violent storms, and tornadoes can make us question household safety and durability when building with traditional methods.

Because of an impenetrable wall surface, that does not support mold grow and prevents the passage of airborne particles like dust or pollen, ICFs provide the homeowner with a higher indoor air quality. The air inside your home not only feels fresher but it’s also cleaner. "With ICFs, there isn't a need for chemical treatments, as required for wood constructions. This results in lower gas emissions (off-gassing) and reduces exposure to toxins," Kosmuk notes.

Building with ICFs also offers benefi ts to builders by reducing construction times as mandated by the LEED Green Building Rating System. This provides an added incentive in constructing energy-efficient buildings because utilizing the technology can qualify builders for potential tax incentives.

LOGIX is North America's leading manufacturer of ICFs and produces the industry’s widest and most fl exible range of products. Kosmuk says "when compared to traditional construction methods, ICFs promote sustainable building practices because they produce little or no wastage and are not dependent on depletable resources like wood."

Since its inception in 2002, LOGIX has been at the cutting edge of ICF technology. The fi rm was the fi rst to use 2 ¾-inch thick EPS foam exclusively in all its forms.

"By utilizing thicker foam, our products deliver increased strength, greater quietness for a more comfortable living environment and of course, increased energy savings," says Kosmuk. " For builders, the design of the forms makes them easier to handle and install which results in quicker installation on-site with fewer sub-contractors needed."

As we move forward towards a greener future, 'green' building systems such as offered by Insulated Concrete Forms, with their energy-efficient and environmentally friendly approach to construction, will gain more importance and acceptance. Our sustainable future depends on it.