Many people are now becoming more and more aware of this construction system being used to build super energy efficient buildings, passive, active or intelligent houses.

However when first looking into the viability of using this method as their preferred construction route , people are often deterred by the minefield of information that they are faced with.

If an architect they are using is unfamiliar with this type of system,the architect may try to persuade the client to go for a more conventional system. This site explores the reasons why , what, where, who and which system to use.

Hopefully everything will become clear to the researcher. As a virgin to ICF/PIF/StyroStones this site should provide all the answers

Material

This type of construction system consists of an internal and external sleeve of Styrofoam or Neopor linked together by ties to form a building block. more

Concrete

Concrete exists for more than 2000 years.
It is the material used to form the mass core of the resulting wall and can withstand floodings, earthquakes and tornados better than all other material. more

Reinforcement

Concrete is one of the most robust construction materials however it may require reinforcement more

Structural calculations

Safety and local authority building control regulations will dictate that you must have a structural calculations for your home, whatever the construction material. What's special about this system? more

Internal walls

Depending on the design there a load bearing and non load bearing walls in your house. How do this material fit for those internal walls? more

Radius walls/arcs

Radius walls and arcs can be a very appealing visual architectural feature.

Easy to form with a handsaw more

Windows - thermal holes

You want as much light as possible? Windows have a physical limit to insulation. The best r-value is only appr. 2 more

Brick-facade

If normal rendering is not the choice for your home:

There are a number of options available to give your home a traditional brickwork or stone work facade more

Render

A superior architectural design pays considerable attention to the facade.

What rendering can be applied to ICF/PIF/Styrostone and how is it applied?
How to timber clad a facade? more

Foundation

The insulation of the whole shell begins with the foundation.

Using XPS-boards the integration of a floor heating is easy to install. more

Cost of your house

Your mortgage advisor will quote a figure of £100K, £200K or £5000K as affordable.
THIS IS WRONG! because this is not all you will probably be financing!
The cost is your monthly mortgage, maintenance and heating! more

Roof

Insulating the walls of a building but not insulating the roof makes no sense at all. Whether it is a flat, pitched or hipped roof, the insulation should be at least the same as the walls. This is how it can be achieved. more

Air tightness

Thermally insulated walls will not suffice to save energy. To achieve high insulation levels one needs to ensure your home is air tight more

Ventilation

Is ventilation a necessity or simply an added comfort to an energy efficient home? more

Vacuum cleaner

Central vacuum cleaners are the best and healthiest way to clean and maintain a house. Solutions to install central vacuum cleaners more

Smart technologies / home automation

Being able to control your home from anywhere is very convenient and may even help you to save energy. more

Energy Performance Certificate

(EPCs) are part of the HIPs (Home Informations Packs) from August 2007 and needed to determine the A to G Scale for each building. How is the rating for buildings with ICF/PIF/Styrostones? more

Protection for your valuables

You need to think about the best methods to protect your valuables without too much fuss. Good planning and installing a wall deposit box is a very economic way of doing that. more

EPS/XPS/Neopor

EPS is Expanded PolyStyrene
XPS is eXtruded PolyStyrene
Neopor
you don't need to understand the chemical formula, you need to know, what's important. more

Time

This is probably the fastest way to set up the shell for a massive and solid house construction, energy efficient and smart more

Self-build

A typical stone weighs approx. 1kg. It really is child's play to build using this system.

Just like Lego. more

ICF on this web-site refers to Insulated Concrete Forms, also known as PIF Permanent Insulating Formwork or Styrostones only

If you google ICF, a lot of different hits come up, such as:

International Coach Federation
International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
International Christian Fellowship
International Canoe Federation.

These are valid hits, but have got nothing to do with construction.