What is Insulating Concrete Formwork ?

Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF) such as PolySteel has been used extensively in the United States of America and Canada for the past 30 years.  The ICF consists of twin-walled expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels or blocks that are quickly built up to create formwork for the walls of a building. This formwork is then filled with factory produced, quality assured, ready-mixed concrete to create a robust structure.  The forms are thermally efficient with the EPS remaining in place to provide both complete thermal insulation and a uniform surface ready for the direct application of external finishes or proprietary cladding systems.

The installation of PolySteel is fast and does not need skilled tradesmen. An experienced team of four can comfortably erect and concrete the walls of a three-bedroom bungalow within three days. This very fast construction of the building, allows follow-on trades to gain access so they can quickly progress independently of the external cladding.

Some interesting facts besides speedy construction; PolySteel's superior thermal performance provides buildings that exceed Part L Building Regulations requirements for energy efficiency. Furthermore, the high thermal mass of the concrete provides considerable fabric energy storage that absorbs and stores heat resulting in reduced internal temperature fluctuations. This in turn means less energy needed for heating or cooling and a far more comfortable living environment.