What are the advantages of ICF?
ICF, or Insulated Concrete Forms, have a number of benefits. Today we’re going to talk about how ICF blocks will give you a healthier home.
Advantage #2: ICF Construction = A Healthier Home
The first advantage of ICF that we discussed was how an ICF build will provide you with a warmer home. Now we are going to talk about how building with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) will create a healthier home for you and your family.
Disadvantages of Traditional Builds
In a traditional build, as previously mentioned, the concrete walls do not provide the same level of insulation as an ICF wall.
During the colder months of the year, the cold concrete wall combined with the warmer inside air can cause condensation to build up and freeze on the concrete. As the outside temperature rises and more closely matches or exceeds the inside temperature, the built-up frost begins to melt. This is cause for concern when the moisture now becomes trapped within the wall and begins to mold.
According to Statistics Canada, “mould growing in the home environment can release mould spores, toxins from the mould and mouldy odours, which can have an impact on the health of those exposed to them.”1 It is also important to note that “wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds.”2
Advantages of ICF Builds
With an ICF build, the extra layers of insulated foam on either side of the concrete prevent this development from occurring. When the outside temperature is cooler, the Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) will help prevent the wall from becoming too cold and creating a drastic contrast between the temperature of the outside wall and the inside air. By preventing this contrast in temperatures, you are also preventing condensation from building up, freezing and then thawing and possibly molding during the warmer months. More importantly, you are also keeping yourself and your family safer from the possible toxins associated with mold.
1https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-526-x/2011001/part-partie1-eng.htm)
2https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm
February 1, 2023