After doing a lot of research, we decided to build an ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) home. There are many advantages to building with ICF especially in coastal areas. The walls will be about 12 inches thick and are actually concrete. The forms are put together and with rebar in them and then concrete is poured inside. Some of the advantages of an ICF home are:
Energy efficiency, 32% less energy required for cooling and 42% less for heating. This also means the HVAC units can be sized smaller.
Protection during storms, both tornadoes and hurricanes. This is a big plus when building on a bay in the Florida Panhandle.
Insect resistance Termites don't like to eat concrete.
Fire resistance, Concrete doesn't burn. All of these features also help to reduce insurance costs. From what we hear, ICF homes are also really quiet.
Materials are delivered. These are the ICF Blocks made by Fox Blocks
The wood is for framing around window and door openings
Assembling the walls reminds me of putting Legos together
View from the driveway of the walls going up.
The gunite (a concrete mixture) gets sprayed on layer by layer to construct the pool. They are working on the spa in this picture.
The pool will be finished when the house is near completion.
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