Dave Marrs, co-host of HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous, is not just a television personality but also an accomplished homebuilder with over 20 years in the residential construction industry. In a recent Roofers Coffee Shop podcast, Dave spoke about his experiences building houses in Arkansas using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) and his newfound passion for the technology. Take a listen for yourself or read on to uncover Dave’s advice to contractors who are new to building with ICFs like he once was.

How ICFs Revolutionize Homebuilding

Insulated Concrete Forms are two panels of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam connected together with a web system, reinforced with rebar, and then filled with concrete to create a structurally solid and highly insulated wall. Compared to traditional wood-frame construction, ICFs provide continuous insulation that maximizes thermal efficiency and reduces heating and cooling costs for the owner. For Dave, the appeal of ICFs lies in their ability to deliver “sustainability without sacrifice”.

In addition to being eco-friendly, building with ICFs improves a structure’s fireproofing, sound dampening and resistance to high winds and debris impact. This disaster protection was critical for Dave’s projects in Arkansas, where they’re seeing an increase in tornado activity. Therefore, he says that contractors should view ICFs as a unique opportunity to meet customer demands for resilient and energy-efficient homes.

The most surprising aspect of ICF building for Dave was its speed compared to conventional framing methods. Dave explained how he constructed the exterior of a 2,000 sq ft home in just a day and a half with Nudura’s Insulated Concrete Forms. With ICFs, Dave and his team were able to minimize construction time, save costs on materials like OSB and sprayfoam insulation and significantly reduce on-site waste. Continue reading more here.