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The insulated structure may be clad with different finishes
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Lighweight blocks lead to improved health and safety on site
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Building with ICF can be up to 50% faster than other methods
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The blocks can be shaped with a hand saw
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At last year’s Greenbuild Expo in Manchester, Logix UK and Carbon Green Design and Build announced the launch of Carbon Logix, a joint venture to offer developers a full build package using Insulating Concrete Forwork (ICF).
The company’s first residential scheme, built in conjunction with M&T Developments, is in the former mining village of Murton and features six houses and four apartments. The ICF used on this project is based on hollow lightweight block components that lock together without bedding materials, such as mortar, to provide a formwork into which concrete is poured. The block is formed of expanded polystyrene, held together with plastic ties. Once the concrete is set, it becomes a concrete frame structure with the formwork remaining in place as thermal insulation.
Performance
Being a relatively low-skilled and flexible method of construction, requiring little in the way of plant and with very easy handling, the use of ICF has been growing in the UK self-build sector for some years. With the recent increases in performance demanded by Building Regulations and the Code for Sustainable Homes it is now finding its way into the mainstream. It is one of four approved walling systems for domestic basements and is recognised as a Modern Method of Construction (MMC) by the BRE.
Finishes
The insulated structure may be clad internally and externally with a range of finishes, including plaster, masonry, brick slips and renders. Most systems are marked on the outer faces of the polystyrene to indicate where fixings can be made into plastic or metallic webs.
Features
In addition to ICF, the Murton House Mews project has energy-saving features such as triple glazing, rainwater harvesting and exhaust air heat pumps, which work by extracting air from warm areas – such as kitchens and bathrooms – and removing the heat to be used elsewhere in the property.
Carbon Logix’s Steve Lenehan told me that residents can hope to reduce energy bills by as much as 60% compared to traditionally built properties of the same size. The result of the build method is an airtight shell that offers superb thermal efficiencies. This, combined with the other energy-saving features, means that these homes are kept very warm very cheaply.
Specification
The build process using this method of construction is up to 50% faster than traditional methods. The U-value of the blocks is 0.21w/m2K, which is 40% better than Building Regulations.
The thermal bridging (the amount of heat lost at the junctions of windows and doors within the wall) is only 25% to the heat lost in traditional builds. Importantly, all of these benefits are maintained over the life of the building.
For further information visit www.carbonlogixltd.co.uk .
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