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.

Recommended Reading

• Insulated Concrete Forms
• The Advantages of Building Your New Home with ICF Blocks
• Building Earthquake Resistant Buildings With Insulated Concrete Form Walls

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.

Recommended Reading

• Insulated Concrete Forms
• Reasons for Building Green Homes with ICFs
• Local Training Programs for APEX Block™

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.

Recommended Reading

• Insulated Concrete Forms
• The Advantages of ICF Construction
• Local Training Programs for APEX Block™

If you are not familiar, ICF stands for insulated concrete form. The ICF blocks are arranged to build the structure of a home, then concrete is poured into them to give them stability. Construction using this method creates homes that are more energy-efficient, quiet and stable than homes built using traditional materials. The concrete within the blocks is typically reinforced with rebar, making the structure of the new home virtually invincible. This is especially important if you live in an area that is prone to attacks from the forces of nature.

The cost of building a home using ICF blocks is generally higher than the cost associated with building a home using wood or other traditional materials. Because there is a greater expense involved, many people are discouraged from using the ICF method. However, ICF homes are easier for construction crews to build, plus homes built this way save homeowners money in terms of heating and cooling costs. In fact, ICF homes experience heating, ventilation and cooling costs 50 to 70% lower than traditionally built homes.

If you are interested in building a home using ICF blocks, you should consider using Apex Blocks. These blocks are made from recycled material, and they are stronger and more resistant to threats than standard blocks. For example, Apex Blocks are designed to withstand winds of up to 250 miles per hour. Additionally, they are more noise resistant than standard ICF forms. Building crews love working with them, also, which means that your home will be constructed with care in a timely manner.

When you think about how you will build your new home, you should seriously consider using ICF blocks, and Apex Blocks in particular. Although traditional materials are more commonly used, ICF materials are becoming more popular as people realize how beneficial they can be in a new home’s construction. If you want your home to be as sturdy and safe as it can be, do yourself a favor and visit http://apexblock.com to learn more.

Recommended Reading

• Insulated Concrete Forms
• Construction Today Interview
• Building Earthquake Resistant Buildings With Insulated Concrete Form Walls

Homes that are built with steel-reinforced concrete have a very good record of surviving earthquakes largely intact and structurally sound. Reinforced concrete walls perform well under seismic stress due to the composite system: Concrete has the ability to resist compression forces and steel can withstand the kind of tensile forces that an earthquake produces. Even building earthquake resistant buildings with walls that are only lightly reinforced can provide over six times the load resistance of framed wall constructions.

One of the advantages of building earthquake resistant buildings with insulated concrete form (ICF) walls is the ability to choose what level of earthquake protection is appropriate for the area you are building in. Few other construction materials allow you this type of flexibility. Your structure can be built to conform to Seismic C (the normal standard strength of new homes), Seismic D1, or even Seismic D2 standards, the highest International Building Code standard that exists. Seismic D1 and D2 standards use more steel reinforcement, different methods of bending and placement, and additional fittings to increase strength.

Recent research into building earthquake resistant buildings compared the ability of both insulated concrete form walls and conventional frame walls to withstand structural stresses such as those created by earthquakes. The walls were tested by applying sideward lateral force along their top edges while the bottom edges were sufficiently restrained. The ICF walls demonstrated a much higher capacity to resist in-plane shear forces than either the wood or steel frame walls, resisting maximum forces that were 6 to 8 times those resisted by the frame walls.

Building earthquake resistant buildings with properly reinforced insulated concrete form walls can provide the maximum protection against seismic forces. Be sure to consult a structural engineer in order to determine what amount of reinforcement is right for your project. If you are building in an earthquake prone area, you owe it to yourself to research the benefits of building with ICF materials.

Recommended Reading

• Insulated Concrete Forms
• Construction Today Interview
• The Advantages of Building Your New Home with ICF Blocks

Insulation values of these walls vary according to the thickness and material that has been used. This depends on reinforcement, thickness, and configuration. ICF walls are meant to have high seismic and wind resistance, as they are designed as reinforced concrete. This truly is a benefit, especially to people in areas where the risk of natural disasters is more common.

Many types of ICF walls currently exist. Several factors go into the differentiation of each type, including the shape of the sections, type of foam, attachment types, how finishes are being attached, foam types, insulating values, and other details. The forms are easy to put together, and lightweight. Concrete may be erected in a house foundation in one day, and bracing and alignment systems are often provided by manufacturers. There may initially have to be a greater amount of coordination, and the construction sequence is not changed with the use of ICFs. The methods by which one would attach interfacing materials, such as electrical wiring, are different from how it would be done with traditional building materials. ICFs tend to be installed along on-grade concrete slabs or standard spread footings. Any layout lines are snapped, the ICFs are set in place, and the walls are braced and aligned. Next, steel rebar is set into the hollow cores where required, and then concrete is pumped up to about four feet. It is cured for about seven days at that point.

The range of cost of ICF material is about $1.75 per square foot to around $3.50 per square foot. There will be additional costs associated with labor, concrete placement, bracing, and reinforcement. ICF homes cost slightly more than a wood-framed construction, on average about two to five percent more.

Manufacturers of ICFs are in abundance these days. There are some who directly distribute to builders or concrete contractors, and others distribute through authorized building products distributors. If you are thinking about using this convenient material, shop around and ask plenty of questions so that you know exactly what you will be receiving.

Recommended Reading

• Insulated Concrete Forms
• Building Green Using Insulating Concrete Forms
• Insulated Concrete Form Homes

The process of filling the foam concrete form is usually gradual in increments of less than twelve feet, which allows for easier management of the internal pressure and prevents heavy wet concrete from causing a blowout. Occasionally steel or another brace is put into the structure before pumping the concrete in, which increases its strength. Once the concrete cures, the structure is capable of standing on its own, but the form is usually left in place to help provide a space for extra insulation, plumbing and electrical wiring.

The benefits of foam concrete form are numerous compared to other traditional structural materials. They are particularly well suited for residential work because they are energy efficient and provide comfortable, quiet insulation with few leaks from the air barrier, which makes them more heat efficient as well. The increased efficiency can be attributed to thermal resistance, which is higher in concrete form than it is in other types of structural insulation. Additionally, the sound absorption makes it ideal for use in apartment buildings, suites, dormitories or double houses.

Houses that are built with foam concrete form are often subject to higher resale values than comparable buildings. This is because concrete is a particularly long-lived structural material that does not require frequent maintenance or replacement. Additionally, it is largely insect resistant because the concrete slabs provide continuous non-porous surfaces that keep insects from getting inside, especially compared to wooden frame construction. Finally, concrete forms make it easier to get the building LEED certified as a green building, which boosts resale values considerably.

The cost of foam concrete form as a construction material is somewhat higher than comparable wood frame construction because of the nature of the materials. Despite this, structures built with concrete forms are considerably more energy efficient than other buildings because of the increased insulation and heat efficiency, as well as the durability of the materials. The money saved by energy efficient heating and decreased maintenance costs can help pay for the initial higher cost of construction, making it a worthwhile investment.

Recommended Reading

• Insulated Concrete Forms
• Construction Today Interview
• The Advantages of Building Your New Home with ICF Blocks

While the use of similar sort of construction goes back a few decades, it is only in the last twenty years that serious research and standardization has been made, so that such insulating concrete forms construction is a viable choice for people building new homes and buildings. Besides its obvious advantages in being used for homes, builders have also found them to be advantageous in the long run when used for condos, apartment blocks, hotels, movie theaters and retail stores.

The walls that are a result of insulating concrete forms are structurally very sound. This gives them a lot of resistance to disasters like earthquakes and tornadoes, thus increasing their safety considerations. The material that is used to insulate these forms are resistant to mold and mildew, while being almost immune to insects. When used below ground it is better if such forms are afforded some form of termite protection. The insulation also greatly enhances the ability of the walls to block sound, thus increasing the overall comfort. The greatest advantage in using such forms for construction of course comes from the energy savings that come from the insulation.

The construction schedules for completion of homes using insulating concrete forms are also reduced, because no additional time has to be taken to install any insulation while finishing the home. The forms themselves are very lightweight because of the sort of materials used, and are thus very easy to lift and place in position, without the need for much heavy lifting equipment. It also allows the placing of these forms to be carried out by the normal tradesmen carpenters who normally erect formwork.

The two sides of the insulating concrete forms are held together by ties that are made of plastic or metal. Some companies also make forms that are hinged, so that they can be folded and stacked to reduce transportation costs. Joints between the forms can be simple butts, or in some cases may be of the interlocking type, so that the forms form continuous walls of the desired length. Corners and other assemblies are made separately and will mesh in with the forms, so that there is continuity in the construction.

Recommended Reading

• Insulated Concrete Forms
• Basic Overview of ICF Walls
• Insulated Concrete Form Homes

ICF is a kind of formwork for concrete. Essentially, it is used as a sort of mold for concrete walls, floors and even the ceiling. The forms lock in place and the concrete is poured. After the concrete cures, the forms are left in place in order to provide various advantages. Apex Block in Oregon had developed a revolutionary way to connect the forms for  insulated concrete form homes, which make the homes resistant to most natural disasters and even insect infestations.

Insulated concrete form homes have distinct advantages over classically built homes. Perhaps the biggest advantage is their high level of energy efficiency. Since the forms are left in place after the concrete has cured, the homes are better insulated than wood-constructed homes. They tend to be quieter and more comfortable, as well as having a higher structural integrity. Being made of concrete, they do not rot when they get wet, and they have a higher resale value than more traditionally built homes.

One of the biggest disadvantages to insulated concrete form homes is the price. The prices are more sensitive to the price of labor and materials than wood construction, but they are almost always more costly to construct. However, the price of construction can be mitigated by the high energy savings that can be expected throughout the life of the home. For specific quotes and prices, of course, one would do well to contact the company by which the home will be built, but an estimate puts ICF homes at one to four dollars a square foot more expensive than classic homes.

Insulated concrete form homes are cost efficient, energy efficient, resistant to weather and insects, and are rapidly rising in popularity due to these considerations. With the constant cry for greener construction, ICF’s have answered prayers for many people. When considering the building of a new home or office building, look into insulated concrete form construction.

Recommended Reading

• Insulated Concrete Forms
• Basic Overview of ICF Walls
• Building Green Using Insulating Concrete Forms

The design of the featured home is circular with 26 sides that take advantage of hilltop location. The views captured both on film and in-person are spectacular. The layout shows the flexibility and functionality of the Apex Block ICF construction. Both film crew and homeowner where impressed with the speed at which the envelope was erected and enclosed. In harsh environments and under tight deadlines, Apex Block certainly is an advantage over other green building materials.

Designing Spaces hopes to generate awareness for green building materials and eco-friendly designs that don’t always cost more for the consumer. By building grass roots demand for insulating wall construction like Apex Block ICFs, progress can be made towards reducing dependencies on traditional energy sources.

Recommended Reading

• Insulated Concrete Forms
• Construction Today Interview
• The Advantages of Building Your New Home with ICF Blocks