Comparison of

ICF buildings
with
Conventional Structures
By

STYRO STONE INDIA (P) LTD.

Background
Demand for building systems that are

more energy efficient,

durable,
and

use fewer natural resources.

has led to numerous studies globally, over the past decade.

Findings from some of these are presented here ...

Summary
It was concluded that, ICF wall provides,

energy efficient green building,

of high durablity and increased strength

with maximum resistance to natural disasters

and also

minimizes temperature fluctuations

by absorbing and storing heat.

Reasons for Popularity

Over the last two decades, ICFs have become the most preferred construction
material for green buildings in many countries with extreme weather conditions
due to their

reduced construction time,

compatibility with any inside or outside surface finish,

strength,

mold & pest resistance,

noise reduction,

reduced dust & dirt infiltration,

and

significant and continuing energy savings.

Durability
Criteria

Life

Weather resistant (under

thermal stress)

Life Cycle Analysis : Global

Warming Potential (GWP)

Partition walls

Diaster Proof withstands

Quakes, Floods & Cyclonic
storms

Fire Resistance

ICF walls

RCC / Conventiional

> 50 years
without any significant
repairs

> 50 years,
periodic repair and
maintenance work
needed

Yes, no ageing

No, ageing due to poor

resistance

Least GWP
(permanent, high value
thermal protection)

Medium to high GWP

(low thermal protection)

Uniformly strong

Weak

No cracks

Cracks

Tested & rated for >2 hrs

< 2 hrs

Raw Materials
Material
1

Concrete

Bricks

Steel reinforcing bars

EPS

ICF walls

RCC / Conventiional

upto 50% less than

conventional

Yes

No

Yes

upto 50% less than

conventional

Yes

Yes

No

Manufacturing
Material

ICF walls

RCC / Conventiional

Molded Formwork from

EPS Molding Plant

Yes

No

Bricks from local Kiln

No

Yes

Steel Rebars from local

construction material
suppliers

Yes

Yes

Cement-Sand-Concrete
Mix

Yes

Yes

Machinery, Equipment & Tools

Material

ICF walls

RCC / Conventiional

Shuttering Boards & fixing

tools

No

Yes

Cranes (for multi storey

structures)

No

Yes

Lifts

No

Yes

Heavy duty material

handling equipment

No

Yes

Hand held tools

Yes

Tools for Wall Dimensions

& Alignment measurement

No

Yes

Measuring & Mixing

equipment for Concrete mix

Yes

Yes

Trestles / Scaffolding

Yes / Yes

No / Yes

Yes

Onsite Labour & Skill

for construction of a single floor 1,000 1,500 sq ft covered area
(with Speed Floor for Roof, not mentioned below)
Manpower

ICF

RCC / Conventiional

Semi-skilled Labour (For foundation)

Semi-skilled Labour (For formwork /

walls)

Unskilled Labour (For concrete pour)

Skilled Labour (mason)

4.1

Skilled Labour (electrical + plumbing)

(1+1)

(2+2)

4.2

Skilled Labour (Finishing & Painting)

4.3

Skilled Labour (Doors & Windows)

Site Supervisor

Project / Structural Engineer

20

30

TOTAL

Time Required
for construction of a single floor 1,000 -1,500 sq ft house
(with manpower as per prev. slide)
Construction

Building completed : from

foundation to Finishing with
plaster & paint

Days for ICF

Days for RCC /

Conventiional

< 30

55-60

Cost
for construction of a single floor ( 1,000 - 1,500 sq ft )
stand alone bungalow
1

Per Sq Mtr

ICF

RCC / Conventiional

Manpower

Less (approx 25%)

More

2.1

Material

- concrete

Less (approx 50%)

More

2.2

Material

- steel

Less (approx 50%)

More

Method equipment &

handling tools

Only hand tools

Costly machinery for

handling heavy loads

Time project completion

Less (approx 30-50%)

More

Note : Total project cost by the two methods is similar despite higher priced
molded forms used in ICF, due to lesser material quantity, labour & execution time.

Green Parameters
Criteria

ICF walls

RCC /
Conventiional

Thermal Efficiency

Permanent & high R-Value

(60-80% energy saving)

Lifelong monetary
savings

Significantly lower requirement of

minor Maintenace & repair work

Reduced HVAC load

50% less investment & use

Embodied Energy Light weight formwork

Ease of transport, handling, lower

risk of accidents

No

Resource
conservation

Minimum onsite material waste,

lower manpower & natural
resources (eg. Water) needed

No

Health & comfort

Minimal Air, pollen, dust & noise

infiltration

No

Indoor temperature

Uniform, despite huge outdoor

swings

No

Acoustic Insulation

At no extra cost, time or labour

No

Risk of toxic
emissions

No

Low (energy loss)

Frequent &
periodic, costly
No reduction

No

Insulation Property : R-Value

Thermal
Insulation

ICF walls

RCC / Conventiional

Range

From R-18 to R-30

Approx R-1

Uniform

Yes

No

Permanent

Yes

Insignificant

Technology
ICF walls
1

Started

Popular

Since 1960s.
Europe, Canada

RCC / Conventiional
Since 100s of years

Since 1990s.
Global monopoly
Europe, North America,
decreasing due to advent
Middle East, South Asia, etc. of new technologies
Cracks & damages due to
Successful in every climate &
impact of natural or man
region
made disasters

Proven

Monolithic, load
bearing Walls

Yes

Thermal Bridges

None, due to air tight &

leakproof construction

Plumb straight &

smooth walls

Trestles fixed for ensuring

wall alignment & fast finish

No, needs columns &

beams
Significant Thermal
Leakages
Needs Special tools &
skilled manpower

How to Build Monolithic walls with ICF

Concrete reinforced with steel
&
poured inside
Interlocking, Insulating, hollow
EPS molded formwork
of low weight, for
quick assembly

With minimal resources &

material waste

External & internal surfaces

straight & smooth

For ease of cladding &

rendering

Benefits
Criteria

ICF walls

RCC /
Conventiional

Significantly high

Low

Yes

Low

Energy savings

Severe weather resistance

Faster construction time

Yes, at least 50% less time

No

Exterior noise reduction

Significant impact & air borne

noise shut out

No

Environmentally friendly

Yes

Yes

Damp & Mold resistance

Clean & dry interiors

Cracks, leaks
common

Fire & pest resistance

High

Medium

Design friendliness

Contours, Curves, Arches, all

easily made

High ceilings & long floor

spans

Plans easily executed without

significant increase in
manpower, cost or time

10

Fixing Electrical &

Plumbing components

Easy to cut, drill, chase & fit

large pipes

No

11

Wall Cladding

Wall ties for ease of fixing

finishing material

No

No

No

Disadvantages
ICF walls

RCC / Conventiional
Variable

Wall thcikness

Fixed

Door & Window

Placings

Cannot change after concrete

poured

Reusable

No

Change possible
Bricks are recylable

For your kind attention ...

From STYRO STONE INDIA (P) LTD.