How to Use ICFs

ICFs can be used in many places in your ICF home project. You can build your frost walls, stem walls, full basement, or the exterior walls of your entire home.

How to use BuildBlock ICFs to Build Your Dream Home.

Good:

Build an ICF Safe Room & Foundation

Safe rooms that are built with insulating concrete forms are like any other room in your home: master bathroom, bedroom, closet, pantry, media room and more. Building a safe room doesn’t mean building an ugly bunker. Using ICFs, you can finish this room however you would like and use it as a part of your home each day.

A temperature-controlled room that isn’t musty or damp inside your home for your family’s safety. No worries about moving cars and climbing down into a hole in your garage, these safe rooms can be above ground or in your basement. A safe room will also prevent you from being trapped under debris in your garage waiting for rescue.

Better:

Build an ICF Basement & Foundation

Build your crawlspace or basement with ICFs and create a safe place for you and your family. Highly energy-efficient ICF basements typically are drier with lower humidity than standard basements. Insulated, waterproof and quiet. Safe rooms built with insulating concrete forms are an excellent value.

ICF basements let you maximize the square footage of your home regardless of your lot size.

Best:

Build All Exterior Walls with ICFs for Maximum Savings

Build all outside walls of your home using insulating concrete forms. The insulation below ground in your foundation or basement is even greater above ground and any cost difference is recouped within the first 3-5 years of owning your home. When compared to wood frame construction, the actual out of pocket cost difference is offset by energy savings alone

This means while your mortgage might be slightly higher, the monthly utility bills will be substantially lower and your total monthly out of pocket costs are the same.
Benefits such as safety from disaster, noise reduction, improved indoor air quality, and peace of mind begin immediately and never stop.

See ICFs in action & learn more about building with icfs!

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Featured Residential Projects

The Drew Castle, Southeastern Michigan

In southeastern Michigan, homeowners Michael and Sue Drew have used BuildBlock ICFS to build an incredible 4 bedroom “starter castle”. Complete with a large courtyard, brick battlements, and beautiful church inspired windows, this castle is built to last and provide a safe and comfortable home for their family for generations to come. Click the picture for a full project profile including images and video.

The Darga Residence, Sutton Bay, Michigan

This unique residence was built on the shores of Lake Michigan using BuildBlock Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs). See how BuildBlock’s unique features made it possible to place this home close the water in challenging terrain with maximum energy efficiency and an airy open style. Click the picture for a full project profile including specifications, images, and video.