Insulating Concrete Forms Manufacturers Association

insulated concrete forms

ICF Training Series: Penetrations

Penetrations, Beam Pockets, & Blockouts Welcome to the BuildBlock ICF Installer Training Series. This 20 part video series is intended to be an educational walkthrough of the ICF building process. From the early planning phases to pouring concrete and finishing walls, this series will provide the basic knowledge you need to have a successful BuildBlock ICF build. In the 12th video in this series, we identify common penetrations in ICF walls that you may need to plan for. We also discuss different methods for creating, bracing, and sealing penetrations. The videos in this series are produced as a companion to the BuildBlock Installation and Technical Manuals available for free download on the Publications Page or for purchase via the BuildBlock Online Store. You can view more videos in this series via the BuildBlock Blog or by subscribing to the BuildBlock YouTube Page. For a more in-depth training experience, you can take the free Online ICF Installer Training Series. Video Transcript Penetrations, Beam Pockets, and Blockouts In this video we will identify common wall penetrations in ICF walls and take a look at different methods for creating, bracing, and sealing penetrations. There are several types of services where it may be necessary to create penetrations in ICF [...]

By |2020-10-15T14:20:56-05:00November 11, 2020|Training, Video|
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ICF Training Series: Basic Estimating

Basic Estimating Welcome to the BuildBlock ICF Installer Training Series. This 20 part video series is intended to be an educational walkthrough of the ICF building process. From the early planning phases to pouring concrete and finishing walls, this series will provide the basic knowledge you need to have a successful BuildBlock ICF build. In the 5th video of the series, we take a look at how to estimate the number of blocks, rebar, and concrete needed for your ICF job. We walk through several basic formulas that will help you plan for a successful build. The videos in this series are produced as a companion to the BuildBlock Installation and Technical Manuals available for free download on the Publications Page or for purchase via the BuildBlock Online Store. You can view more videos in this series via the BuildBlock Blog or by subscribing to the BuildBlock YouTube Page. For a more in-depth training experience, you can take the free Online ICF Installer Training Series. Video Transcript Basic Estimating In this video, we’ll help you understand how to correctly estimate the number of blocks, concrete, and rebar needed for a basic ICF structure. Before diving into estimation, first, collect this information; The total length of ICF [...]

By |2020-10-15T12:50:35-05:00October 26, 2020|Training, Video|
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ICF Training Series: Basic Tools

Basic Tools Welcome to the BuildBlock ICF Installer Training Series. This 20 part video series is intended to be an educational walkthrough of the ICF building process. From the early planning phases to pouring concrete and finishing walls, this series will provide the basic knowledge you need to have a successful BuildBlock ICF build. This video explores the basic tools needed to build with BuildBlock ICFs. We also discuss some optional tools that add speed and efficiency to your project. The videos in this series are produced as a companion to the BuildBlock Installation and Technical Manuals available for free download on the Publications Page or for purchase via the BuildBlock Online Store. You can view more videos in this series via the BuildBlock Blog or by subscribing to the BuildBlock YouTube Page. For a more in-depth training experience, you can take the free Online ICF Installer Training Series. Video Transcript Recommended Tools Very few basic tools are necessary to build with BuildBlock ICFs. We’ll cover some optional tools that may save you time and labor. First, some basic tools should be on hand at any job site. Items such as a hammer, drill, and tape measure will come in handy throughout the process. To keep your [...]

By |2020-10-15T12:41:07-05:00October 23, 2020|Training, Video|
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ICFs and the Net Zero Design Push

The Building Science community continues to push for more stringent energy codes. Increases in insulation requirements and airtightness have become the primary mechanism to achieve higher performance. Buildings are required to use less overall energy, and where they require energy are asked to supply it themselves. Net-zero compliance is a hot topic in many North American markets. British Columbia has developed some of the strictest building code standards in the world and is leading the push towards net zero with the BC step code. The Canadian National Code is not far behind and is seeking to accomplish many of the BC step code requirements in a similar timeline. Interior During Blower Door Test The BC step code asks builders to increase the energy efficiency of buildings by a set percentage every few years. The code has a ten-year (10) target goal of every new construction project or retrofit meeting net-zero compliancy. The metric to track compliance is measured using blower door tests and specific product energy usage tests. The data from a blower door test along with utility usage from other appliances and fixtures allow for a complete calculation of energy used by the building. Each structure is then appointed [...]

By |2020-10-14T15:30:43-05:00October 14, 2020|Technical|
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Concrete making a comeback and for good reasons

Concrete has been used for construction since the ancient Egyptians. After World War II, it was used as a staple material for rapid reconstruction. But in the 1980s, builders and architects grew tired of the concrete jungles and it simply went out of style. However, today, it’s making a comeback in an even better and more durable form as insulated concrete forms (ICF). Designed with polystyrene and concrete, they make one of the most solid, durable and energy-efficient building envelope materials for homes and commercial buildings. Insulated concrete walls offer an array of advantages over wood: Unlimited design ICFs can be constructed in any shape or design. They can also be used for gables up to 47 degrees and can be achieved with ease. Since they can be built with minimum resources, they also represent an ideal solution for remote constructions. Homes made of ICFs can look just like any other houses or very different depending on the desired designs. Generally, the exterior surfaces can be finished with brick, stone, vinyl or wood siding or in more modern concrete styles while the inside can feature unique designs and creative architectural shapes for attractive doors, arches and bay windows. Structural strength [...]

By |2019-07-23T15:57:31-05:00August 8, 2019|Design|
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