Selfbuilder & Homemaker – July – August 2019

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.

!!" ## !#

! !#


# #"

#

!#!""!

#

#"  "

# #"  "

#  " " #!!!

#" !" #"

#!"# !

#!"#  # ! 

#!"#"

#!"#"!#!" !

#"###!" 

#!"#!

""" 

http://www.icfsupplies.co.uk

01268 542748