|
Residential Insulating Concrete Formwork
Systems
| ICF
systems have been gaining popularity in New Zealand
due to their ease of use and their versatility. They
require minimal on-site equipment and because they
are so light, building crews stay fresh throughout
the day. They also place few limitations on the creative
freedom of architects.
Several ICF
systems are available. All use stacked hollow polystyrene
blocks to form the walls of the house, within which
reinforcing steel is positioned and concrete poured
to form the structural core of the wall.
Plastic or
metal spacers run along the width of the block to
tie together the inside and outside pieces of polystyrene.
The composition of the blocks varies between manufacturers.
|
©Portland
Cement Association |
In some systems, the spacers are part of the polystyrene
form, while in other systems, the blocks are assembled and
the spacers inserted on site.
Each block system has unique requirements,
such as for reinforcing, wall thickness, etc, so it is important
to find these out from the manufacturer/distributor before
starting.
There are many advantages to this type of
construction:
- it is easy to create curves and arches
- ICF blocks have a high thermal insulation value
- ICF block systems have a high acoustic insulation value
- deep reveals are possible at openings
- they are a solid reinforced concrete construction
- multi-storey construction is easy, incorporating concrete
floors
- water evaporation is slowed down, which enhances the
concrete's curing process and can result in stronger concrete.
Some systems allow for the internal lining of polystyrene
to be stripped away to reveal the inner concrete core. This
enables the advantages of thermal mass to be available inside
the home.
After construction of the ICF wall is complete
and the structure is closed in, an acrylic plaster can be
applied or traditional wall claddings can be fixed to the
internal and external faces and finished in the normal manner.
For more information:
For New Zealand residents only: The CCANZ
has an information pack that we can send you, please email
admin@cca.org.nz
for a pack.
|
