ICF utilises innovative walling

25 February 2010

ICF Contracting has created a walling system that looks set to create new benchmarks for sustainable housing in Australia. The Lock-Form system uses in-situ concrete in combination with expanded polystyrene (EPS) planks to deliver high-level insulation performance.

The system also promises to insulate more efficiently than conventional brick veneer and stud wall solutions. According to Lock-Form's Ari Schupak, the advantage of the Lock-Form solution is that it eliminates thermal bridging. In other words, the concrete abuts the polystyrene, leaving no air gap between the two adjoining surfaces and therefore eradicating heat leakage.

"EPS is an ideal choice for green building designs, offering tangible environmental advantages in terms of energy efficiency, recycled content and recycle-ability," Schupak said. "It's also fire retardant, mould resistant and does not impact on indoor air quality in the way that fibreglass and mineral wool products potentially can."

The system is currently being piloted at a landmark residential development in South Australia. Environmentally Sustainable Developments (ESD), the developers of the Beyond Today coastal development at Hayborough, near Victor Harbour in SA, chose the Lock-Form walling system as one of its preferred walling solutions for future homes to be built on the 224 allotment, five stage development.

Over the past decade ICF Contracting has been developing and refining its Lock-Form system. EPS technology isn't in itself new, but the way it's used in the Lock-Form system is different. Lock-Form utilises concrete on the inside to provide the internal thermal mass, and EPS on the outside to provide external insulation.

The EPS planks perform a dual function, acting both as external formwork during the concrete pour and as permanent insulation. The EPS is left in place after the pour and clad or rendered to give the outside facade a conventional look.

The Lock-Form system also utilises another unique ICF product - lightweight, reusable plastic planks, which are used as formwork for the interior face of the concrete. Quick and easy to install and remove, these planks are stripped off once
the wall is cured. The internal facade can then be clad with plasterboard
or another lining material.

ICF Contracting will showcase its suite of products at the Master Builders Building & Home Improvement Expo from 9-11 July at Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

 

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