Roche Group - I.C.F.
Insulated Concrete Formwork

 

Insulating Concrete forms (ICF’s) enclose a massive, high-strength material (concrete) between two panels of polystyrene creating structural walls that are insulated on the inside and outside.

 

Insulated concrete formwork is a building system utilising formwork panels, manufactured from ultra high density expanded polystyrene (EPS), which are used to construct walls, floors and roof panels for houses and other buildings. These panels are then filled with ready-mixed concrete and left in place permanently as thermal insulation.

 

The system exploits the insulation properties of the polystyrene and the structural integrity of the concrete and has been used in Europe and in North America for over fifty years. For an internal finish plasterboard is used in normal way to obtain standard internal finish and fire ratings. For external finishing, the EPS can be plastered or external brickwork or stonework added if required by the end user.

 

Insulated Concrete Formwork (IFC) building methods are what is referred to as modern methods of construction (MMC) which, combines permanence and durability with thermal efficiency. ICF originated in Europe approximately 40 years ago and has recently become popular in the US and Canada. In the last 5 to 6 years ICF has entered the Irish market with micro sized companies acting as distributors for manufacturers based outside Ireland. As a result of pressure to build faster, more and more developers and builders are trying ICF because of the reduction in construction time and the self builder is trying it because of its simplicity and the high quality result. In addition, house builders are becoming more aware of the fact that energy certificates and ICF houses will be to the fore in minimizing heat loss and will attain an “A rating” very simply. It will be of growing importance for developers to obtain this rating in order to achieve satisfy requirements.

 

ICF give you high performance buildings...

Design Flexibility

Due to the modular nature of the Eurozone system, buildings are designed to the clients needs and can easily incorporate intricate design features such as arches and curves.

 

Structural Strength

The Eurozone reinforced concrete structure is far stronger than building constructed from blocks or other building methods.

 

High Thermal Value

Double insulation on the inside and outside of the formwork produces superior U-values, as low as U value 0.11, minimizing heat loss through the walls.

 

Superior Sound Proofing

Due to the combination of concrete and polystyrene the system is a highly effective sound barrier preventing the travel of sound throughout a building.

 

Environmentally friendly

The entire ICF system is made from fully recyclable non toxic products.