ICF insulated concrete formwork, ICF building system, ICF construction, ICF blocks

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PSS ICF build System

Our ICF products enables you to build any shape or size of property design. Confidently, quickly, cheaply and above all... eco friendly! Two story ECO friendly villa erected to roof level within 14 days! The most eco friendly villas being built in Spain. Latest project OUR ICF system is better than any other used in Spain because if the innovative rail system and we only use EXTRUDED Polystyrene foam NOT expanded!!

U & H Rails are connected together by the desired crosstie width. They start at 100mm up to 300mm depending on type of construction required. For majority of Villas we use the 150mm ties and a minimum of 130mm of extruded foam insulation.
Polystyrene is locked into the rails and built up to form the desired story height.
The framework of the ICF system made with recycled plastic
Corners are created using the proprietary corners sections allowing the contractor to easily retain the true vertical corner
Construction off a raft or slab
Assembly of the first course of form work

Corner braces are positioned on all the

external and internal corners of the build

Internal braces are placed on the inside at no more than 1.5 metres centres.
Each story height is assembled to the desired height following which the concrete is poured to the same height. Openings are formed as the form work is built.

Concrete is then poured into the form work creating the structure
With the addition of polystyrene the form work is assembled into place and built to full story heights.
A ply former is used to create openings (including sill heights). The frame is then placed into the form work and secured into position. The frame is constructed with an opening at its base to allow placement of the concrete.
A boom pump or bucket is used to pour the concrete into the form work, Normally a 3 inch reducer on the pump nozzle is used to slow the flow rate of the concrete into the form work when using a pump.
A ply sledge can be constructed to direct concrete into the form work
After concrete has cured the ply profile is removed leaving the insulation in place
Wooden platform is erected to layer the 1st floor.

Beam and block floors bear directly onto the wall. As concrete from the wall above is placed the beams are cast into place.
Independent Technical Certification issued from BRE

Testing was carried out on

 
  • mechanical resistance of the wall
  • thermal insulation
  • condensation risk
  • durability
  • fire performance
  

In addition to this, This system has also undergone acoustic and air tightness testing

The BRE approval process is considered by other bodies including:

 
  • National Home Building Council (NHBC)
  • Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
  • Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
  • Local Authority Building Control (LABC)
  
Design Benefits

PSS is not restricted by any modular repeats so virtually any feature can be designed.

  • Full standard design details for areas such as floor, roof, window etc...are provided.
  • Compliance with current Part L and the proposed changes in 2006
  • Compliance with Part E requirements can be met for structures such as party walls

Any cladding style can be used with the system

  • Traditional masonry is tied to the wall either through helical screws or timber/frame ties onto the rail
  • Sand cement based renders can be used with the addition of a metal lath
  • Tile hanging or timber can be used off battens attached to the wall
  • Thin-coat renders are applied direct to the PSS system

Sustainable & environmental credentials

Only 10% of the environmental impact of building a house is embodied within the materials used. That means that 90% is caused by the heating, cooling and lighting of our homes.

A PSS home will significantly reduce this impact by offering excellent energy efficiency throughout the whole life of the buildings presence.

The materials we use

Concrete

It is surprising to most people to find out that concrete is one of the most environmentally sustainable materials, far more than steel and timber. In 2002 reports were undertaken to demonstrate that of the total CO2 emissions in the UK, concrete accounted for just 2.6%. Concrete is far more sustainable as it out lives materials such as timber.

The cement in the concrete can be replaced with waste material from power stations by as much as 40% of it's volume, and along with the use of recycled aggregates, concrete isn't as damaging as most people think.

Polystyrene

PSS uses high dense extruded polystyrene (XPS) that is more thermally effective than expanded (EPS). Using XPS gives the product greater robustness to withstand the pressures of the concrete within the form work.

XPS is

  • CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons) & HCFC (Hydrochloro-fluorocarbons) free
  • Does not contribute to the depletion of the ‘Ozone Layer’ (ODP)
  • 100% recyclable
  • Does not promote condensation within the home thus eliminating fungi & bacteria, helping sufferers with asthma and other allergies

Plastic framework

The framework to hold the insulation in place is largely made from 100% recycled PVC. This is mainly a by-product from the window manufacturing process.

Insurance and Mortgage Viewpoint

ICF construction has been around for nearly 40 years, built in many countries

This system currently has in the region of 130 houses in construction or complete for which

successful applications for mortgage and insurance purposes have been made.

ICF as a generic product is in the process of gaining the new LPS 2020 status issued by the BRE

Areas of assessment cover

  • Flooding protection
  • Energy efficiency
  • Security protection
  • Fire protection
  • Environmental performance and protection

Some insurers in the US are now offering discounts to those homes built with ICF, largely due to the enhanced

protection it affords particularly against adverse climatic conditions.

Differences to other ICF systems

Both expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) can be used

Unlike other ICF systems however, Our PSS system mainly uses XPS because

  • Greater thermal performance (25% more efficient than EPS)
  • Better mechanical properties therefore concrete bursts are a thing of the past. This also allows full story heights to be poured in one go

PSS utilises its rails unlike any other system by:

  • Using them as fixing points during construction for bracing and ply attachment.
  • Forming fixing points for plasterboard to the interior and cladding to the exterior.
  • There are no repeats (male and female connectors) therefore it is easier to construct on site and easier to design.

ICF Structures are a green and environmentally friendly building method!!!

What is ICF? Insulating Concrete Form work (ICF) is a lost shuttering system incorporating precision molded polystyrene (EPS Insulation) as an integral part of the construction process. The ICF stones are set out to the approved plan and pump-filled with concrete. It is today's most cost effective and energy efficient structure.

ICF Structures have superior U/Values of 0.23 where the norm is now 0.27. This combined with the other energy saving products offered in our package means we can deliver an Energy Efficient Home which makes a real difference to the house holders disposable income. Homes Become More Affordable,more eco friendly, quicker and cheaper to build!!!.

Originally developed in Canada (where concrete home building is standard) ICF systems have been used successfully around the world for more than 40 years. Tens of thousands of ICF homes have been built in recent years throughout the United States and Canada. They have proven successful in every region and climate, from Orlando to Calgary. ICF is proving to be very popular in ireland and the UK and NOW is the time for Spain to be privileged to this cheap, quick, inexpensive eco friendly build process.

Affordable Concrete Homes
Within the last decade many homeowners, builders and architects have come to realize the superiority of the ICF home and the ICF boom is under full swing. By 2015, ICF homes are expected to make up 15-25% of all new homes built. More and more homeowners are looking for quality-built homes that will save on heating and cooling.

View new ICF villa pricing

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