With the climate crisis creating more severe weather events across North America, having a house that can stand up to the worst nature has to offer is more important than ever. Whether it’s tornados, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes, you want to know that you and your family are safe and protected.
This means making sure your home is built with quality products that can withstand wind, hail, fire, and more. One of the best disaster-resilient materials on the market are insulated concrete forms (ICFs) from Nudura. The ICFs can be used instead of wood for superior strength, safety, and durability against extreme weather conditions.
It also offers lower utility costs over the lifespan of your home. Here are just some of the reasons to consider building your next home with disaster-resilient ICFs:
- Fire Protection
Concrete is tougher and less flammable than wood, so if there is a fire, you and your family will be much safer in an ICF home. The ICF wall’s concrete core combined with non-toxic, fire retardant expanded polystyrene foam provides a fire protection rating of up to four hours. - Wind Resistance
ICF homes can be designed to withstand winds of up to 250 miles per hour (402 kilometers an hour), or an F4 tornado. In fact, a home that used Nudura ICFs was still standing in Florida after Hurricane Michael. This technology means even the strongest windstorm is unlikely to cause cold drafts, so you can enjoy a more comfortable indoor climate and you will spend less on heating your home. - Increased Stability
Over the years, an increase in seismic activity has led to more earthquakes in the United States and even in Canada. An ICF wall system provides better anchorage for your house thanks to the concrete core and the forms’ flexibility, which allows the builder to add and accurately position vertical and horizontal steel reinforcement.
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