ICF Walls Explained

Having been born and raised in Florida, I have seen first hand the devastation caused by hurricanes.  But no matter what part of the country you are from, sooner or later you could be the recipient of some kind of disaster caused by severe weather.

That is why ICF construction is such a great option.  ICF stands for “Insulated Concrete Forms”.  They are concrete forms used to construct the exterior walls of homes. The forms are hollow in the middle section, which usually house metal reinforcements used to strengthen the concrete that will eventually be poured inside the forms to fill all the gaps. Each side of the form consists of insulating material, which is usually about two to four inches of foam insulation. They also come in varying thicknesses.  So, in the finished product, your exterior walls have a concrete core wrapped with insulating foam.

ICF systems are most often used for exterior walls, but can also be used for interior walls and more. One idea would be to incorporate a “safe room” in the interior of a home, which is housed by concrete walls on each side. This room can be used for a storm shelter or “safe” area.


ICF wall systems can be clad with traditional material such as siding, stucco, brick, stone, etc. on the exterior wall surfaces.

The benefits of ICF construction are many – energy efficiency, strength, durability, comfort, soundproofing, cleaner air, fire retardant, bullet proof, and in many cases, insurance premium reductions.

After researching and learning about Insulated Concrete Form construction, you will find that it is a very smart way to build.  So be sure to consider this new technology when planning your home construction, not only for your family’s safety but for your own peace of mind.

All of the floor plans in the Sater Design Collection can be modified to incorporate ICF walls.

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