Selfbuilder & Homemaker – July – August 2019

(lu) #1
formwork construction.
A successful concreting operation is the
proof of any formwork system. This may
be completed in several stages, filling
small sections of wall at a time, but most
projects hire a pump to handle the heavy
weight of the concrete which is to form
the building structure. In a very short

space of time an entire storey height pour
can be completed, with temporary
propping to hold the formwork in
position until the concrete has set.
The speed of construction for ICFs is
much the same as for offsite frame
systems, except ICF delivery lead times
are much shorter, allowing much more

time for design changes to meet
individual client requirements. Frame
systems are erected onsite very quickly,
but there is still much work to be done
before they reach the same stage of
completion as an ICF building, since
insulation, membranes, sheathing and
sealing for airtightness, still have to be
completed.
So, you have a strong, durable,
energy efficient ICF home which will
counter the effects of climate change,
but is it sustainable? What about the
carbon footprint?
Overall, it is estimated that the energy
required to manufacture and build an ICF
house is recovered in around 11-13 years
of its occupation. Given that the
anticipated useful life of an ICF home is
considerably longer than alternative
methods of construction, this leaves a
very small carbon footprint – and the
materials can always be recycled for a
new generation of homes.
As building standards are upgraded to
counter the impact of climate change, the
economics of construction will
increasingly favour ICF systems that are
already proven and available as a
versatile solution for the self-builder and
new homes.

Robin Miller is MD at Beco Wallform

INSULATION


90www.sbhonline.co.uk july/august 2019


ICF Supplies is an
authorised distributor
for Nudura products.

Nudura’s Insulating Concrete
Formwork uses polystyrene
connected with a web system that
allow the forms to be stacked and
steel reinforced. The polystyrene
forms are then built up on site and
#lled with ready-mixed concrete.
This system provides a thermal
mass, allowing structures to be
heated and cooled more effectively.

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http://www.icfsupplies.co.uk
01268 542748
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