Design
Insulated concrete forms are lightweight blocks or panels that are usually made of expanded polystyrene (EPS). The insulating layers of the forms are connected with webs of galvanized steel, plastic, steel wire or EPS. They have the strength to hold the wet concrete and are actually left in place, providing that extra insulation. At least one manufacturer has designed blocks that fit together in an interlocking system.

Ease of Construction Work
Many builders have learned to prefer these insulated concrete forms because they are easier to use. They do not require all the work of a wooden framing system and the interlocking forms do not need the connecting work done. It is simpler to install wiring, pipes and ductwork. These forms are also resistant to rotting, a significant benefit if they are stored outside in inclement weather. All these features save contractors time and money, both in building and in disposing of waste material.

Benefits to Building Owner
The building owner really appreciates the benefits of using insulated concrete forms, especially if it is his home.
•    Effective insulation that increases efficiency and reduces costs of heating and cooling systems. Some studies have shown a saving of 50% over traditional wood construction materials.
•    Added protection again extreme environmental incidents such as high winds, earthquakes, and flooding.
•    Added protection against fire consuming the building.
•    Maintains resale value as the materials are durable ensuring long term structural integrity.
•    Allows basement space to be used as a regular living area.

Sustainability
Many building owners shudder at the thought of funding a green building because the cost is often more than traditional construction. However, these insulated concrete forms are cost effective besides showcasing eco-friendly features.
•    Energy efficient. There is high R-value because of the double layer design of the blocks. They can be constructed as high as R-35.
•    Environmentally conscious materials. Many of these forms are made from recycled material. They can even be manufactured from polyurethane foam that is soy-based.
•    This construction also reduces the need to use toxic materials and the amount of waste taken to landfills.
Overall, building smarter and faster is an environmentally sound principle supported by the use of insulated concrete forms.

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A modified version of an Insulated Concrete Form (ICF), APEX Block™ is made from recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS), cement and proprietary ingredients. The amount of recycled EPS used in the creation of the block keep 2,477 pounds of EPS out of landfill when an average home is built using APEX Block™.  Saving waste from a landfill while saving homeowners money by reduced heating and cooling expenses of 50-60% a year over a home built with conventional wood materials is just the beginning.  Everyone loves saving money.  The benefits of building with APEX Block™ expand beyond financial savings to the very reason we live in houses: protection.  We need protection from the elements of nature and the power it has to instantly turn our world, and our homes, to fragments of debris.  With APEX Block™ comes the security of a building material that provides the ultimate protection.

Witnessing first-hand the destruction left behind by a tornado in Texas, President & CEO of APEX Block™, Dale R. Siens, was intent on developing a more protective way to build.  “After seeing so much destruction, knowing so many families would spend the night without a roof over their head… I knew there had to be a better way to protect them,” says Siens.  “Every year people loose their homes and when that happens their lives are severely impacted.  With APEX Block™ we can diminish that loss and hardship”

APEX Block™ is the right product at the perfect time.  The costly damage of Natural Disasters is increasing in frequency, severity, and they are occurring in more areas of the U.S. and around the world.

To test the strength of the APEX Block™ and its ability to resist extreme conditions, Siens invoked the power of a military grade explosive called C-4 and the Portland Police Department Bomb Squad.  For the test, seven pounds of the explosive were placed only six inches in front of a wall constructed with APEX Block™ and then detonated.  Exciting? YES! Explosions are always exciting, but was the explosion damaging to the wall?  While remaining a safe distance from the test material and waiting for the plumes of smoke to clear, eager onlookers were eventually able to begin to see the test wall.  The APEX Block™ wall had remained completely intact.  It was an amazing test that would seem almost unbelievable if it weren’t for the video footage of the explosion.  (The video can be seen on ApexBlock.com and also on YouTube.)

Admittedly, Team APEX™ does get a kick out of testing the strength of their block in extreme ways, but rest assured the tests do serve a purpose.  “The testing of the block gets pretty creativity so all of us at APEX Block™ can’t help but take an interest. It really becomes a teambuilding event,” says Carr.

A team favorite among the tests included an air cannon custom built with the ability to launch eight-foot long 2’x4’s at speeds up to 200 mph.  The air cannon, like the C-4 explosives, was not your average experiment but was the ideal instrument for simulating the impact of hazardous debris propelled during hurricanes or tornados.  These debris fields created by structurally insufficient building materials cause further unnecessary loss of life, damage, and destruction and are a fuel source for secondary fires.   Debris is the major cause of damage during natural disasters and what better way to test the protection a wall built with APEX Block™ can provide than to launch your own debris!  The cannon was loaded and fired directly at the wall time and again and the results were sensational!  Boards shattered upon impact and the wall remained fully intact!

APEX Block Corporation engaged GE Reaves Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Land Survey Company to conduct strength testing for wall structures built with APEX Block™.  Founded in 1983, GE Reaves has 26 years of experience serving the San Antonio, Texas area and is now grown to become the 19th largest engineering firm in San Antonio.  The firm has a diverse skill set that includes foundation design, framing design, structural forensics, site and soil observation, land development planning and much more. Owner and President, Gaylord E. Reaves, has more than 37 years experience as an engineer and land surveyor.  One can only speculate the vast number of building materials and home plans Reaves has encountered and become familiar with so when he took and interest in and APEX Block™ we could be assured results would be a comprehensive assessment.

Windstorm Testing results from GE Reaves confirmed wall strength much higher than many of the building materials on the market today.   The internal structure created when building with APEX Block™ and its unique properties makes walls strong enough to withstand wind speeds, gusting or sustained, of up to 250 mph.  Previously speculated to have only been able to withstand wind speeds of 180 mph, the new testing data provides solid proof of an incredible product.  Like many who discover APEX Block™, Gaylord was impressed by its outstanding assortment of benefits.

These tests were a vital factor in developing a building product that creates homes and storm shelters that have the strength to withstand nature’s fury. “We know the walls are strong, abusing them with explosives and projectiles allows us to explore destructive elements that are beyond your everyday scenarios.” says Kym Carr of APEX Block.

With official test data, the specifications of the block make it beyond note worthy, and opening eyes in the construction industry.  Compliant with the wind loads specified in the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC) the Texas Department of Insurance has approved the use of APEX Block™ in designated disaster areas along the Texas Gulf Coast.  This is an important step forward to increasing consumer education in an area consistently impacted by extreme weather condition.  It is through the education of homeowners and homebuilders regarding stronger building materials that we can better protect families and increase sustainable housing for healthier communities.

“Test results are getting the word out about the strength of building with the APEX Block™.  The block is easy to work with and fast to build with.  I know building with the block will make a difference and save lives while providing them with a comfortable, secure home to live in,” says Dale R. Siens, President & CEO.

Traditional building materials, products, and methods now have shortened life spans when faced with natural and man-made disasters.   Construction with APEX Block™ enables Contractors, Engineers and Architects to implement real solutions in a cost effective time and manner at an affordable economic price point.  Giving the consumer real measurable value in comfort, quality, and sustainability.

The ease and versatility of building with APEX Block™ has created quite a stir in the construction industry, gathering media attention from outlets of every kind; from the cover of Construction Today Magazine to national television.  The Lifetime Television® home improvement series, Designing Spaces, featured APEX Block™ on their show in March and April of 2012. The show focused on the “Green” element of building materials like APEX Block™ that are not only innovative but are smart for the environment as well.  The home improvement series saw the green twist surrounding the sustainable, ICF-like building material and gave it noteworthy attention, even showing a short clip of the C-4 explosive test.

APEX Block™ is the leading ICF (insulated concrete form) building product and system which is quickly replacing the failed exterior wall systems of the past, yet keeping with the same finishes that make for a comfortable and radiant home.

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The show’s “Going Green” segment takes viewers to Eagle Point, Oregon to a new home construction site showing how to build with APEX Block™. Revealing the internal structure created when building with APEX Blocks and the unique properties make walls strong enough to withstand wind speeds up to 250 mph. The new home is part of a 21 home sub-division is being built with a revolutionary, recycled building product manufactured by APEX Block and is being called The Greenest Wall System In The World™. Being on Designing Spaces is a large leap for APEX Block™.

“The show does a great job explaining how the block is so different from your standard ICF’s and how much greener it is!” says Dale R. Siens, President & CEO

Focused on the “Green” side of building materials, the home improvement series saw the green twist surrounding the sustainable, ICF-like building material and gave it noteworthy attention. Made from recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) and cement, using the block to build an average new home will not only keep 2,477 pounds of EPS out of landfills but will reduce heating and cooling expenses by an estimated 50-60% compared to a home built with conventional wood materials.
The ease and versatility of the block expands building potential beyond industry professionals; APEX Block™ can be utilized in consumer DIY projects, rehabilitation construction, residential construction and commercial construction. Since the structures built of APEX Block™ have been tested to remain standing after tornado and hurricane force winds and protect from the fiercely flying debris it carries, the team at APEX Block™ is excited to get spread the word of the protection the block can provide.

“I hope it gets the word out about the strength of building with the APEX Block™. The block is easy to work with and fast to build with. For people in areas prone to disaster I know this will make a difference and save lives” says Dale R. Siens, President & CEO.

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The right type of insulated concrete form construction will be inexpensive and easy for you to afford. You should never spend a lot of money on insulation because you can easily get it for a cheap price as long as you are shopping at the right store or from the right company online. By having a professional do all of the installation work for you, you are guaranteed to have a home that runs well during just about any season of the year no matter the temperatures outside.

The best part about making use of insulated concrete form construction is that the foundation will be kept warm, which in turn helps to keep your plumbing pipes warm. This means that you will not have to deal with or worry about your pipes freezing when temperatures begin to steadily drop outside. This will help to save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of repairs when you finally make the decision to look for everything right on the Internet.

As stated before, your first step is to find the best type of insulated concrete form construction on the Internet to make use of it. Have a professional do all of this type of work for you so that you do not have to deal with the headache all by yourself. Your home will run a lot better when it is finally well-insulated and has the right products all underneath inside of the foundation you have.

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It is important that the concrete which forms the “filling” between the interior and exterior walls has not only been designed with insulation in mind, but that it contains no potentially harmful chemicals which could cause problems later on.

There are several reasons why many architects and builders are starting to choose ICF construction over more traditional methods, such as the old wooden frame technique. ICF does not just create a stringer structure, it creates a more aesthetically pleasing one; with smooth and even walls on every surface that are also excellent at keeping annoying insects out of your home in the summer months. Similarly, these more solid structures can keep pollen and other allergens away from sensitive members of the family, while those with ICF homes in busy areas have reported that the buildings are much quieter than older structures which were probably built with a wooden frame.

Finally, and most importantly for many people in high risk areas of the US, these walls are really tough and have been proven to stay standing in wind speeds up to 250 mph; a great relief if you live in an area that is exposed to storms and tornadoes. Concrete does not rot either, so you should have fewer long term repair issues with your ICF construction home – saving you money on builder’s bills as well as heating costs.

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In order to achieve a top notch building ICF concrete forms, Apex Block has developed a revolutionary product that uses a different but efficient construction process. The process is simplified, holding costs are lowered, and the result is a superior green product that protects you, your family, and your home better than any of the competition. Further, each Apex Block ICF concrete forms use recycled material, which saves you money by using less concrete.

In addition to being able to protect your home, it is possible to use ICF construction forms to protect your business as well. Just as with residential homes, you can use this product to maximize quietness, improve energy efficiency, increase your level of comfort, and much more. More importantly, just as with your home, you can be assured that your business is better protected against natural calamities such as fire and earthquake, pest infestation, and the undead.

So now that you know of new and great ICF concrete forms, you should seriously consider using it for your home or business. It’s cheaper than the competition and it’ll save you money compared to the competition. The Apex Blocks are made from recycled materials and will therefore even help with the environment. If you check out the Apex Block website, you’ll be able to get yourself a free estimate and have access to a team of professionals to help you, so don’t delay.

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For more information, visit our exhibitor page.

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Highlights of the article will focus on the unique versatility of the sustainable building product with a sturdy foundation educating readers on the blocks extraordinary benefits.   Made from 100% recycled post-consumer expanded polystyrene (EPS) and cement; the APEX Block™ has taken construction to a greener level.  A house built using APEX Blocks™ keeps an estimated 2,477 pounds of EPS out of landfills.  Providing more than an affordable green building solution, APEX Block also provides protection against fire, high winds, earthquakes and infestation.  APEX Blocks™ are flame resistant for up to four hours and can withstand wind gusts up to 250mph.

The block also saves the time and cost of expensive bracing and connection methods.  APEX Blocks fit together in a Keystone Interlocking System™ unlike other Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs).  By simplifying the construction process APEX Block™ can be utilized in consumer DIY projects, rehabilitation construction, residential construction and commercial construction.  The article will also fill in on the history of the company and what can be expected for the future.

A similar article is featured in Manufacturing Today Magazine released to readers Friday, February 17th, 2012.  Manufacturing Today is a sister magazine of Construction Today Magazine with a comingled base of readers, the two magazines are the “go-to” for what’s new in the building world.

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If you are interested in ICF construction for your new home, you should make sure that the benefits outweigh the associated costs. If you are certain that building your home using ICF will work best for you, you will need to decide which forms you will use. If you want the best, you should seriously consider Apex Block. Apex Block is made using a high percentage of recycled content, plus it is stronger than foam forms.

If you have been paying attention to the weather in all parts of the country lately, you know that violent meteorological events seem to be on the rise. This can give a home builder pause, especially when you see homes being blown away by tornadoes, or floated down rivers from floods. If natural events concern you, ICF construction is your best option when it comes to structural integrity. When you use Apex Block, for example, you can ensure that your home’s structure can stand up to winds at speeds of up to 250 miles per hour.

ICF construction techniques are easy for most builders to learn. In fact, many contractors prefer ICF due to the ease with which it can be used to build a new structure. The forms are put together quite easily and quickly, plus they produce far less worksite waste than traditional construction materials. This is particularly true when Apex Block is used for the job. Not only is it strong, but it is also very easy to work with on the job site.

The materials and techniques used in home construction are constantly evolving, and the latest great evolution in the industry is the widespread use of ICF construction. When forms such as Apex Blocks are used, builders can erect some of the safest, most energy-efficient homes in any neighborhood. Though the technique has not gained the widespread acceptance of traditional construction, it is becoming more popular and cost-effective as time goes by. If you are looking for a way to build your home for maximum comfort, strength and efficiency, you need to consider ICF seriously.

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When a construction firm is building green homes with ICFs, they are using structures that can be manufactured from a number of different materials. The most common forms that are currently in usage are made from Polystyrene foam that is either expanded or extruded. They can also be manufactured from Polyurethane foam that is soy-based. Additional forms include, cement-bonded wood fiber and cement-bonded polystyrene beads. The concrete is pumped into the basic form and then rebar is used to add to the overall structural efficiency.

There are a variety of different reasons for building green homes with ICFs. Some of the most common reasons are for acoustic and thermal insulation. The forms provide a great way to insulate a home or office structure without the use of toxic and unsustainable materials. The forms are also quite useful in construction because they allow for the accommodation of electric and plumbing to be installed after they are in place. They are also used as a backdrop for sidings such as stucco or brick.

Building green homes with ICFs has grown in popularity due to the fact that the resulting structures are both quiet and comfortable, while remaining energy efficient. They allow for little if any air leakage, making them more efficient and causing a steep reduction in heat loss. They add to the overall structural integrity of the building and also help to maintain its resale value, due to the longevity of the materials.

Addition benefits of building green homes with ICFs include the ease of learning the construction method. The simplicity of construction helps to keep training costs down, which results in savings to the consumer. It also allows for a reduction in the number of mistakes that are made during the construction of buildings that employ this type of structure. The materials do not rot if they happen to get wet and they have proven themselves to be far more insect resistant than traditional construction materials.

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