Types of Insulated Concrete Forms:
While there are numerous ICF manufacturers, there are only three basic ICF product "types"; "Flat Wall", "Waffle-Grid" and "Post & Beam" . Greenblock offers only the Flat Wall system, which we believe to be the strongest, most efficient and user-friendly ICF block available.
Flat Wall systems come in two types; Fixed-Web and Panel. Greenblock is one of only a small number of manufacturers that offers both types:
- Fixed-Web: Fixed-Web ICF's are the most common type of ICF and consist of two polystyrene panels which are held together by plastic ties or "webs" that are molded into the foam during the manuafcturing process. These blocks are usually 12" or 16" high, and 48" long with varying widths depending on the thickness of the panels and the width of the core cavity. Each ICF manufacturer has a different design, web ties, connection system, foam thickness etc., so forms from different suppliers are generally not interchangeable.
- Panel Systems: Sometimes referred to as "knock-down" or "assemble-on-site" systems, these ICF's work much the same way as fixed-web blocks except the ties are not molded into the product but are inserted into slots in the panels on the jobsite or in an assembly plant prior to use. The width of the block depends on the width of the tie used and generally ranges from 4" to 12".
The majority of ICF systems utilize Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) Foam: The same material that is used in the white "Styrofoam" coffee cups and coolers. The same insulative properties that keep coffee warm and ice frozen are what give ICF's their exceptional R-Value performance when used to build the exterior walls of a strcture. EPS technical description is as follows:
- Primary ingredients: Polymerized Styrene Monomer and Pentane(Non-CFC/HCFC blowing agent)
- Produced in molded or sheet form
- Density (lbs/cu. ft.): 1.35 . 1.8
- R-value per inch: 4.17 . 4.35
- Compressive strength (psi): 15 . 33
- Tensile strength (psi): 18 . 27
- Water absorption (%): <3.0