ICF and Concrete House Plans

Concrete block and ICF (insulated concrete form) house plans offer a number of advantages – like improved energy efficiency – for the eco-conscious homeowner. Concrete block home designs use CMUs (concrete masonry units) as the primary material for construction. ICF homes use insulated concrete forms as the primary material.

Unlike traditional wood-frame builds that use foam or fiberglass insulation, ICF construction utilizes interlocking forms with a lightweight foam exterior. These forms are available in many sizes and styles, enabling their use in every aspect of a home seamlessly and efficiently. The key is the hollow space in between the foam walls of the forms. As the forms are placed in the appropriate configuration to create the walls of the home, concrete is poured inside and left to set. This bonds the forms together and creates contiguous walls throughout the structure.

Every year, there are more homeowners who are looking for a green construction method that is also versatile enough to accommodate virtually all architectural styles and square footage sizes. That’s where ICF and concrete block construction come into the picture. These homes are recognized for their thermal efficiency, which means more energy savings.

Benefits of Concrete & ICF Floor Plans

• The strongest advantage is the impressive strength and reliability that comes from concrete construction. As the house has solid concrete walls with no discernible seams or breaks, it is able to better withstand the effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes and storms.
• Another benefit of ICF walls in particular is that they feature great insulation and temperature control. By combining the sturdiness of uninterrupted concrete with the thickness of foam, the structure can withstand extreme levels of heat or cold without causing discomfort to the occupants. In turn, this helps to lower energy bills and decrease demand on a central heating or cooling system.
• Concrete and foam do not come from scarce natural resources, so they create a significantly smaller impact on local and national ecosystems.
• The energy efficiency of the design also helps to further reduce effects on the environment.
• Because concrete block and ICF house plans rely on concrete simply for the structural material, which has no bearing on the final form, they lend themselves to a wide range of design aesthetics. Once completed, they are indistinguishable from those using other construction methods – and are significantly more soundproof as well.

Whether you’re looking for a modern one story home or a two story craftsman, browse through our wide selection of concrete floor plans to find a home you love. Contact us with any questions.