Incredibly, the cost of living in an ICF home is no higher—and may be cheaper—than living in a regular house. With careful planning and considering the utility savings, the monthly expense of living in an ICF house can actually be less expensive.
In most areas of the country, the cost of ICF construction is only slightly more expensive than wood; nationally, an ICF home is estimated to cost 3% to 5% more than wood frame to build. That’s about $20,000 more for a $500,000 house. Financed with a conventional 30-year loan at 3%, that amounts to an additional $85 on the monthly mortgage. However, because the homeowner will be saving at least that much on energy bills, the actual monthly cash outlay is less. In other words, the monthly cost of “mortgage plus utilities” is actually less in an ICF house.
All of the other benefits—like disaster-proof walls, quiet interiors, and less maintenance—are added bonuses at no extra cost.
Adapting a plan for ICFs typically starts with stretching the exterior walls outward a few inches to accommodate the thicker walls. Other architectural flourishes are actually easier with ICF. Long clear spans can be easily accommodated, because the walls can carry the loads and steel beams these designs require. Windows can be made larger in seismic zones, and winter construction becomes possible in northern regions.
While ICF walls look dramatically different from plywood-sheathed frame construction, they’re actually easier to work with for most exterior finishes. The foam substrate is perfect for cement-based stucco or textured acrylic finishes. Brick, stone, and manufactured stone are also applied more easily to ICFs than frame, as no additional vapor barrier is needed (in most regions). Siding—vinyl, wood or cement board— are also popular. It’s as easy as fastening the material to the ICF furring strips, clearly marked on the outside of the forms.
EPS foam, from which ICFs are made from, is one of the best insulating materials yet invented. Imagine a disposable foam cup, where 1/8 inch of EPS foam is all it takes to comfortably separate your hand from a scalding drink. Our ICF have over five inches of EPS insulation with tested insulation value of R-24. We also offer even thicker sidewalls, with tested values of R-35 as an option.
Additionally, that insulation is continuous. With frame construction, the average frame wall is 25% wood, so even though the fiberglass or cellulose may be rated at R-13 (for 2×4) or R-19 (for 2×6), the “whole wall” insulation value is significantly less.
Finally, with ICFs, the owner is assured of continuous insulation without gaps or installation mistakes.
ICF homes offer a level of safety no other building system can match. They are more than 10 times stronger than framed structures, and several times stronger than CMU “cinder block” construction as well. It’s a natural result of having exterior walls with a core of solid, steel-reinforced concrete.