News

30 09, 2026

ICFMA Board of Directors Welcomes New Executive Director and Launches Strategic Plan Process

By |2026-09-30T12:48:26-05:00September 30, 2026|Featured, News Releases|

OTTAWA, September 30, 2026 -- The Board of Directors of the Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturers Association (ICFMA) announced the appointment of James (Jim) Facette as the association's Executive Director, effective August 1, 2026. The announcement was made at the board's in-person meeting in Toronto, where directors gathered to formally welcome Jim and receive an initial progress report on the development of the association's new 3-year strategic plan. Jim brings 25 years of experience as President/CEO and Executive Director of Canadian industry associations; he is bilingual in English and French and is based in Ottawa.“We are excited Jim has joined us at a time when we build out ICFMA to a new chapter of it’s life”, said Mike Kennaw, Chair of the ICFMA Board of Directors. Read the full release here.

14 08, 2026

Why Build an ICF Home?

By |2026-08-14T09:12:04-05:00August 14, 2026|Design|

An XtraComfort Home Why not build like everyone else? Because you’re not everyone else. When you build with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), you’re building smarter—from the ground up. You’ll get a stronger, more resilient, and more energy-efficient home that significantly reduces your environmental footprint while surrounding your family with unmatched comfort and safety.   A forever home for everyone—built to last, built for comfort   Building an XtraComfort home isn’t just about walls and windows—it’s about creating a space that feels right every day, for decades to come. That’s where ICF changes everything. ICF homes don’t just look solid—they are solid. With reinforced concrete cores, continuous insulation, and airtight precision, they deliver a performance you can feel from the moment you step inside. Treat yourself to high-quality concrete construction and enjoy luxury living for a lifetime! 1. Everyday Comfort You Can Feel No drafts. No cold corners. No rooms that can’t keep up with the thermostat. ICF walls surround you in consistent, even comfort year-round—thanks to continuous insulation and the thermal mass of concrete. Indoor temperatures stay steady and energy bills stay low, no matter what’s happening outside. Read more here

30 06, 2026

Types of Window Buck Systems for ICF Construction

By |2026-06-16T19:31:01-05:00June 30, 2026|Featured, Miscellaneous|

As you’re planning your Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) build, selecting the right window buck system affects everything from budget to installation complexity to your structure’s thermal performance. Window bucks create finished punched openings and serve as the foundation for transitioning the glazing system to the wall assembly, so they’re critical to get right. With numerous bucking technologies on the market for ICF walls, it’s important to know how each can impact your concrete building during and after construction.  This blog post will help you understand the differences between PVC, EPS, steel and wood buck options so you can make the material selection that best matches your ICF project requirements. Traditional Wood Bucking Standard wood window bucks are a common and affordable route, but can require a lot of field measuring and cutting to get the right fit for your wall openings. With the pressure exerted during an ICF concrete pour, there are some concerns about the strength of these bucking systems. This concern extends post-construction, as the stay-in-place wood can be susceptible to warping, twisting, decay and termite damage. In addition, untreated lumber cannot be in direct contact with concrete. For the attachment of the lumber to the concrete, usually [...]

18 06, 2026

How ICFs Enhance High-Security Building Construction

By |2026-06-16T19:27:20-05:00June 18, 2026|Featured, ICF Projects|

Constructing high-security buildings is one of the biggest challenges in architecture and construction to balance comfort, cost and practicality. For military and government buildings, safe rooms, data centers and other structures seeking advanced security measures, there is a growing need for building materials that provide reliable safety and durability to withstand a variety of potential dangers. For structural framing, Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) address security considerations in architectural design and therefore excel in the new construction of high-profile buildings and critical infrastructure. ICF walls not only support high security building design but are also weather resistant to protect the structure and its occupants from both intentional threats and natural disasters. Why ICFs for High-Security Structures?

21 04, 2026

Passive House Meets ICF

By |2026-04-21T13:39:04-05:00April 21, 2026|Design, ICF Projects|

Insulated Concrete Forms are typically associated with strength and energy efficiency—but, somewhat surprisingly, they are not commonly used in Passive House construction. For Dennis Borren, a high-performance builder in Central Alberta, that disconnect didn’t make sense. Rather than debating it theoretically, he decided to test it the only way that matters: by building his own Passive House using ICF. In this first installment of our 6-part in-depth video and blog series, Dennis explains why he chose ICF, how energy modeling shaped the design, and where Passive House requirements influenced detailing decisions. You can follow this link to continue reading, or watch this 4 minute interview segment to hear Dennis discuss this aspect of the project in his own words.

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