ICF Building and Construction FAQs

ICF Building has gathered increasing attention in recent years, particularly as questions about its mortgageability, construction qualities, limitations, and environmental impact arise. As a recognised standard form of construction, ICF buildings offer a unique blend of energy efficiency, durability, and sustainability. This has made financing for such projects more accessible, with both traditional mortgage lenders and specialist services providing tailored products for eco-conscious homebuilders.

However, like any building method, using insulated concrete forms has its advantages and challenges. Understanding the mortgage options, evaluating the quality control mechanisms, recognising the structural limitations, and assessing the environmental benefits are crucial steps for anyone considering ICF building for their next project. 

Is ICF Building Better?

The simple answer is, yes, but when asking the question, is ICF building better? You need to consider what parameters you are measuring it against.

There is an ongoing issue with quality of workmanship in the UK. It’s one of the main reasons why we have a shortage of housing. We have a chronic shortage of skilled, well-trained trades that have the knowledge, experience and capability to deliver high quality homes. 

Quality assurance is a big issue, if installation of any product is not monitored and checked at set intervals then the quality will suffer and ultimately the cost of construction goes up.

The quality of Buildings erected by ICF Structures is managed by implementing both:

• An approved installer training scheme: this ensures the right install team are appointed to construct ICF buildings that suit their level of competency. 
• A quality assurance procedure: this monitors the progress of the project at pre-determined intervals to ensure defects are eliminated and workmanship is monitored.  

I completely agree with the sentiment in a blog by Low-E Insulation that the installation of insulation should be completed by properly trained personnel. In traditional brick/block construction, insulation is installed by bricklayers. These trades are well trained at laying blocks/brick but installing insulation is normally seen as a nuisance, with little care taken to the quality of the install.

There is no formal training provided to bricklayers regarding insulation efficiency, so they do not understand the effect of incorrectly installing insulation, cutting insulation incorrectly, failing to tape and seal insulation properly, or using incorrect wall ties. All these areas for quality checking have a dramatic effect on the overall thermal performance of a building. 

By having a mandatory ICF specific training scheme, we ensure teams have relevant knowledge and experience to deliver well-built, quality ICF Buildings. 

By utilising the unique thermal and structural benefits of ICF blocks we are able to deliver better buildings, safer and faster 

Is ICF Mortgageable?

Yes, ICF construction has been around for at least 60 years and in 2010 ICF was finally recognised in the UK as a standard form of construction by the Valuation Panel for the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). 

The CML which are part of UK Finance, established two conditions that ICF system suppliers must meet in order to benefit from this acceptance.

1) The ICF system in question must have valid third-party product certification.

2) The ICF system’s manufacturer must belong to and abide by the monitoring requirements of the ICFA, the UK’s Insulated Concrete Formwork Association.

All of the ICF blocks we use at ICF-Structures are supplied by manufacturers that are registered members of the ICFA in the UK and carry third party Certification through the British Board of Agrement in the UK and the NSAI in Ireland. They also carry ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 Certification. 

Reduced Mortgage Rates for Energy Efficient Homes

Ever since ICF Building was recognised as a standard form of construction, the availability of mortgage products has become more straightforward. Finance is usually a major consideration for anyone trying to embark on any building project, regardless of the method of construction. Besides the various products offered by the normal high-street mortgage lenders, specialist mortgage services now also exist, specifically designed for those looking to build energy efficient buildings.

The Ecology Building Society is currently offering reduced mortgage rates to those building more energy efficient homes and reducing their carbon footprint. Based on the final building specification and performance, discounts of 0.25% to 1.25% against the Society’s standard mortgage rate are available to those taking out a mortgage with Ecology. Known as the C-Change discount, this scheme aims to encourage the move to mitigate Climate Change and minimise our carbon footprint.

What are ICF Building Limitations? 

Like all building materials ICF has its limitations. Limits are normally attributed to a safety limit, practical use, versatility of implementation or a structural limitation. ICF Buildings have a couple of set limitations, based on its formal approval of use (certification) and some practical limitations. For example: 

ICF Building height: ICF buildings are limited to a build height of 18m, subject to ceiling heights, this can be up to six storeys high. This limitation is set by ICFs formal certified approval from the BBA. This is not to say ICF is capped at 18m indefinitely. Further research will be required and the relevant certification for use will need to be formally approved.

Wall concrete pour heights: standard practice normally caps the height of each lift at 2.8 -3.2m. The main factor controlling this is the compound capacity of the ICF blocks and the propping system to withstand the pressures of wet concrete during a concrete pour. Greater pour heights can be achieved, but this will require the use of a more expensive propping system that has greater capacity to withstand higher concrete pressures. 

ICF Building shape: ICF Blocks come in two components, a straight and a 90˚ corner unit. Naturally this suggests that ICF buildings are limited to straight lines and 90˚ corners. Not necessarily, ICF Buildings can form any shape specified, like curves, acute and obtuse angles. These shapes will required more thought at the design stage, to help reduce waste, and more time on site for the installers to construct. 

Post adjustment of ICF Building: The core structure of a ICF building is reinforced concrete. This will make it difficult to carry out any future remodeling of the structure like adding in new door or window. Extra care and detail must be applied at the design stage to help future proof an ICF building for any anticipated structural changes. Any future wiring or plumbing alteration in an ICF building is not too difficult, it will require extra care from your trades person, and they should be equipped and competent to alter the ICF structure. 

Is ICF Building Environmentally Friendly?

ICF construction has many benefits for the environment both during the building process and the life cycle of the building. During the building stage, if collaboratively designed, ICF buildings can produce very little ICF waste, leading to reduced handling, transportation and processing costs, all benefiting the environment. 

Any waste that is produced in ICF Building is 100% recyclable. Responsible ICF manufacturers and installers should have policies and procedures to manage their waste. We operate an ICF Environmental Policy to reduce and separate waste so its fully diverted from landfill and recycled. 

ICF construction requires fewer deliveries to site, one load of ICF delivered to site will be enough material to build an average sized house. Brick built houses will require a lot more deliveries to achieve the same outcome, taking into account the separate deliveries of blocks, bricks & insulation. The life cycle of an ICF building has less impact on the environment simply because the overall energy consumption will be less, maintenance cost will be lower and the durability of the building means it will be in service for longer, therefore taking strain off the environment. 

The UK is constantly updating its regulations on the minimum U-Value standards for new buildings. The advantage of ICF construction means that manufactures can efficiently keep up with any potential regulation change, with little effort. They simply increase the thickness of the insulation on the block to suit. In fact some ICF manufacturers are foretelling future changes and offering products that are above the minimum U-value standards. These changes have very little impact on the environment. On the other hand, traditionally built cavity wall brick/block buildings will have to implement less efficient techniques to improve U-values if current regulations are improved. This will possibly require thicker insulation material within the cavity, complicated insulation details around openings and perhaps better insulated foundations and rising walls. In summary, changing traditional building techniques to keep up with regulation changes (relating to environment and climate change) will have a more negative impact on the environment compared to ICF construction.

ICF building, known for its speed, energy efficiency, durability, and sustainability, has become an increasingly popular construction choice. With recognition as a standard form of construction, financing ICF buildings is more accessible through both traditional and specialist mortgage products. This blog has outlined the importance of ensuring quality of workmanship through implementing approved installer training programs and quality assurance procedures. ICF building has demonstrated that it is a form of MMC that will benefit the environment as well as help to enhance it. 

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