Insulated Concrete Forms

Using insulated concrete forms (ICFs) to build foundation walls makes construction faster than stacking and mortaring concrete or cement block. It beats traditional concrete pouring, because ICF insulation protects newly poured concrete from temperature extremes. This allows nearly year-round construction schedules. Plus, you will have strong, lasting concrete walls with a next level of engineering: energy efficiency.

The benefits have made insulated concrete forms the first choice for home and commercial construction

Call 406-545-5848 for a free estimate on a foundation or full wall construction.

You get concrete walls with two built-in layers of foam insulation

• This is what makes ICFs energy efficient. The forms are polystyrene foam. So the hardened concrete is sandwiched between a layer of thermal protection on the exterior and interior.
• Research indicates that when the exterior walls of a house are built with insulated concrete forms, the energy used for heating is cut by 44%. And energy consumption for cooling drops by a third. (The comparison is to a comparably sized wood frame house).
• In other words, a person with a 2000 square foot home in the Midwest will save approximately $200 in heating costs each year and $65 in air conditioning each year. If your house or building is larger, your savings will be greater.
• Also, insulated concrete forms create tighter wall, reducing air leakage by 50% over wood-frame homes.

Concrete when you need it, not when weather allows
The insulation helps in another way. It protects wet concrete from freezing and rapid drying immediately after it is poured on site. Concrete can be poured when it’s 10°F, and only the exposed top needs protection. In extremely hot weather evaporation is a concern. Covering the top of the form with plastic sheeting inhibits too-quick drying. Your construction project is less likely to be held up by weather.

Insulated concrete forms are a green building material
The energy savings is not the only reason this is an environmentally friendly choice. The polystyrene foam does not produce any CFCs or HCFCs, and does not contain formaldehyde or any other gasses which might affect indoor air quality.

Acrylic finishes and stucco make your walls complete
Exterior acrylic systems are perfectly suited to insulated concrete forms. Finishes are available in a large selection of colors. It adds long lasting weather resistant beauty to the exterior.
Cement stucco is durable, comes in a variety of colors and textures for an exterior. A water-resistant building paper separates the plaster and lath from the ICF. It’s a system proven to work in all climates.

How much will your ICF cost?
Typical new homes cost $60-100 per square foot. Building walls of insulated concrete forms adds $1 to 4 to the square footage cost. But since the buildings are more energy-efficient, the heating and cooling equipment can be smaller than in traditional construction. This can cut your final cost by an estimated 75 cents per square foot.

• Both the EPS foam and the concrete are highly durable and have a long service life with no repair or replacement costs. For instance, your foundation will be resistant to moisture, termites, rot and other pests.
• This is a worldwide construction favorite. It is solid, lasts, and resists fire, wind, and aging. Owners see lower energy bills, little or no maintenance; a home or office that is healthier to live in, and manufacturing and construction that’s easier on the environment.

You owe it to yourself to use insulated concrete forms for your home or commercial construction project
Call 406-545-5848 today for a free estimate

We build with insulated concrete forms in Billings, Montana, Great Falls, Sidney, Butte, Bozeman, Missoula and Lewistown, and also in Cody, Wyoming.