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Have you ever wondered whether you should choose insulated concrete form (ICF) construction for your next modern home design or rely on a traditional wood-framed structure? In this article, we’ll take a look at whether ICF vs. wood-frame construction is better for your next project.
ICF vs. Wood Frame Categories
energy efficiency
As perhaps the most important feature besides structural integrity when considering building materials, the difference between energy efficiency in ICF construction and wood-framed construction is huge. ICFs typically have an R-value of 23 and exceed ASHRAE/ANSI 90.1 energy code requirements. On the other hand, wood’s R-value is highly variable, depending on construction techniques that are not ICF compliant. In several studies, it has been shown that buildings with ICF exterior walls typically require 32% less energy to cool and 44% less energy to heat than wood-frame homes of similar size.
Resistance to fire
Since wood is flammable, building a wood-frame structure that is not treated with potentially harmful chemicals can prove challenging to reduce the spread of flames. This is also true for buildings that are built slowly, as the lack of fire-protection makes wood particularly susceptible to fire damage. Popular brands of ICFs, made primarily of concrete and rebar, have fire-resistance ratings (ASTM E119) of 2 hours for 4-inch blocks and 4 hours for 6-inch blocks, allowing fire-resistant homes to be achieved.
Moisture accumulation
Since wood is a porous organic material, wood frame structures are prone to moisture accumulation in their wall cavities as well as in the wood itself. Therefore, it is very difficult to take steps to control moisture in the wall system of a wood frame building because effective methods that prevent moisture from entering the wall cavity also prevent moisture from escaping the wall cavity. ICFs, on the other hand, control moisture penetration due to their solid continuous concrete wall that has a perm rating of less than 1.0. This property in ICFs prevents mold, mildew and rot – all of which can cause health problems and threaten the durability of the structure.
Resistance to Pests
ICFs are the clear winner for resistance to pests such as termites and rodents. Since ICFs lack organic matter, they are not as susceptible to infestation as wood-frame buildings. Wood-frame construction can be at risk for durability and energy efficiency, often resulting in thousands in repairs and control-measures (which is a $5 billion industry in the United States).
thermal mass
Thermal mass is the ability of a building material to absorb, retain, and store heat energy – resulting in a more stable indoor temperature despite outdoor changes in climate. This, in turn, helps regulate the overall temperature for maximum energy efficiency. Unfortunately, wood has a low thermal mass; ICFs, on the other hand, have a very high thermal mass, which prevents temperature fluctuations and keeps the indoor climate controlled.
soundproofing
Soundproofing a building can help make the building more livable, allowing for mixed-use amenities and a better quality of life indoors (especially important for living spaces). For wood-framed structures, it is imperative to install some type of soundproofing, including expensive insulation, stud placement, air barriers, or additional mass within wall cavities to limit sound transmission. For ICFs, less than 1/3 of the sound passes through ICF walls compared to wood-framed walls filled with fiberglass insulation, according to sound transmission tests.
Tolerance
While wood-framed structures may have been chosen for their speed and material availability, wood is ultimately weaker than concrete. ICFs are not only more durable than wood-framed buildings, but they are also disaster-resistant. In numerous tests, ICFs have been shown to be able to withstand tornado and hurricane winds in excess of 200 mph and projectile debris moving at over 100 mph. Often, it has been shown that all that remains after a natural disaster is the reinforced concrete of the ICF in the wake of destruction and debris. If you are looking for a hurricane-resistant home , ICFs are the clear choice to protect you and your family.
As you can see, when comparing ICF vs. wood construction, insulated concrete form construction is superior to traditional wood-framed construction in almost every metric. ICFs have easier installation, greater energy efficiency, higher durability, and significant resistance to noise, moisture, and pests. It’s obvious which building material is better. So, when deciding between ICF vs. wood frame construction, it’s best to choose insulated concrete forms to modernize your next building project.