ICF – Insulated Concrete Form Construction

Westhaven is an experienced ICF building contractor. No matter how a house is heated (solar, gas, electric, wood), the total cost of heating must include the amount of that heat that is lost through the walls. That is why ICF (insulated concrete form) wall construction makes good sense both in construction and in long-term use.

Advantages of ICF Construction

  • Quick and easy to pour once the forms are set, ICF walls provide smoothly rounded corners and thick, consistent, continuous insulation.
  • Where wood stud walls have thermal leaks at the studs, no matter how good the batt insulation between them, the ICF walls are solid concrete throughout.
  • Their R-value ratings are consistently higher than equivalent wood-framed construction: R17 to R-26 for ICF compared with R-12 to R-20 for wood frame.
  • The other potential benefits of ICF over wood frame construction include greater structural strength for resistance to high winds, noise abatement, and durability.




    • ICF Technology

    For Home builders, erecting forms and pouring concrete walls is nothing new, at least below grade. But the advent of lightweight, stack-able, interlocking forms which also incorporate interior and exterior insulation has opened the market for ICFs for virtually all exterior wall applications. The list of major homeowner benefits is impressive:

    ICF-Corner-Form

    Typical ICF corner form

  • Strength: ICF walls benefit from concrete’s inherent structural qualities, particularly important in regions affected by severe weather.


  • Lower Utility Bills: The combination of a continuous concrete wall plus the integral interior and exterior insulation provides superb energy efficiency.


  • Indoor Environmental Quality: ICF’s energy efficiency translates into more even, consistent temperatures throughout the home. Outdoor pollutants can be kept to a minimum – particularly important to allergy sufferers. A fresh air exchanger (strongly recommended) helps regulate humidity in the home for maximum comfort.


  • Sound Proofing: With several inches of concrete sandwiched by foam insulation, ICF homes are typically quieter than neighboring homes built conventionally.


    • Adapting Home Plans to ICF Construction

    ICF construction is compatible with virtually all home designs. Once built, ICF homes are indistinguishable from their traditionally-framed counterparts. Yet, there are some differences in building homes with ICFs.

    The most obvious difference is the increased wall thickness. Due to the thicker exterior walls, the overall width, depth, and square footage of a home is usually increased in order to not crimp on room sizes.

    Due to increased overall dimensions, the roof system will get bigger for an ICF home. Typically, the roof geometry will stay basically the same, but the ridge heights will increase. Of course, the foundation changes as well. Additionally, wall thickness varies among ICF manufacturers. Check with the original home plan designer or architect with regard to modifying a particular set of plans to work with ICFs. Or, ask your ICF manufacturer about modifying plans for ICF construction. Many of the manufacturers have a network of designers or architects familiar with ICF building who can modify your plans.

    IMPORTANT: Westhaven will work with you toward modifying plans for ICF construction.

    Westhaven is experienced in ICF construction and can create a house that looks like a 21st century adobe while creating significant energy savings for the owners.


    Call 866-575-4112 and Request a Quote Today or Get a FREE Solar Quote Online !