Building Methods

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)

Insulated Concrete Forms is a wall technique that employs a pre-manufactured, interlocking, lightweight, polystyrene block product filled with reinforced concrete. One can create a long, thick wall that is straight and level that will stand for generations to come. Insulated Concrete Forms provides structural integrity, energy efficiency, sound reduction, and wind and fire resistance. It has a high level of insulation (approximately R 50*), and is earthquake, termite, and mildew resistant.

The use of Insulated Concrete Forms cuts down on deforestation and it is a product that has very little waste.

* R-value means "resistance value", using a rating system for measuring the relative capacity of insulating materials to resist heat transfer

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are manufactured panels used in floors, wallss and roofs. They are constructed of 4-10" thick polystyrene foam sandwiched between two sheets of sustainably harvested OSB or plywood. Walls constructed of SIPs offer a high insulation vale. They provide noise reduction, are quite airtight, and have great structural strength. SIP uses less wood than the typical 2x4 constructed wall section and creates less construction waste. The material comes to the job site with all cuts and layout figured out. Assembly is simplified and quick