About Us The Best Form for Any Function Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) represent one of the fastest-growing sectors in the construction industry today. ICFs are hollow blocks or panels made of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) that a construction crew stacks to create the exterior walls of a residential or commercial building. Workers then add reinforcing steel and fill the gap (typically 101mm to 203mm) between the two layers of foam with concrete. This combination of concrete, steel and foam creates a very strong and energy-efficient structure. After the concrete has hardened, the forms stay in place and become the insulation for the walls. The Benefits of ECO-Block ICFs: Environmentally Friendly: Use of wood products in construction significantly reduced. Energy-Efficient: Provides superior insulation, reducing heating/cooling costs and creating a virtual air/vapour barrier. Sound-Suppressing: The interior rooms are effectively shielded from outside noise. Quickly Constructed: One house per day with a four-man crew. Extremely Strong: Walls are “cast-in-place,” monolithic, reinforced concrete. Versatile: Any interior or exterior finish can be applied. Fire-Retardant: Up to a four-hour Fire Resistive Rating. ECO-Block is the world’s most advanced ICF technology. Less Expensive: Reduced EPS molding and manufacturing costs. Stronger: Superior strength during the crucial period of the concrete pour. More Versatile: Same side panel for 101mm to 300 mm or larger ICF form. Easier to Transport: Components allow assembly on site. No extra cost for transporting air. Eco-Logical Our Name Says It All ECO-Block is an ecologically sound building system — it’s as good for the environment as it is for your bottom line. The energy savings alone are significant, resulting in fewer natural resources consumed. ECO-Block buildings consistently reduce monthly utility costs over the life of the structure. In turn, the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system can be scaled back to reap even more savings. Green Materials and Manufacturing From the initial manufacturing of our ICF product to the construction site to finished structure, ECO-Block has designed its system and process to be kind to the environment. No CFCs, HCFCs or other ozone-depleting substances are used or released. Manufacturing and construction waste is minimal. Plus, ECO-Block forms are 50 percent more efficient to ship and handle than other ICFs. Company-Wide Commitment ECO-Block is dedicated to reducing energy consumption, incorporating environmental awareness into all aspects of company operations. The following programs and practices are currently in place: A “Green Team,” with representatives from all departments, is charged with fostering dialogue, and identifying goals and action plans. ECO-Block educates customers, vendors and the industry community about the green building market and opportunities for participation. The company continues to explore alternative materials for its product that offer more environmentally friendly qualities while still meeting criteria for strength, consistency and insulation superiority. Why use Eco-Block The ECO-Block ICF system combines the tremendous strength of steel-reinforced concrete with the insulating properties of expanded polystyrene to produce one of the most revolutionary building systems in home construction today. There is no limit to what can be built with the ECO-Block system. Standard single story, two story, multi-story, even curved walls can be achieved! Any conventional interior or exterior wall covering can be accommodated. ECO-Block advantages include: Cost The cost to build your ECO-Block home will be comparable to that of other energy-efficient structures but with the additional numerous benefits: Heating and Cooling - The minute you move into your ECO-Block home, you begin saving money. That's because ECO-Block walls are airtight and have an R-3.5 insulation value. A house using conventional construction materials would have to be insulated to a value of R-8.5 achieve similar benefits and savings. Savings of 50% (or more) on heating and cooling costs are possible. Insurance Rates - Because the most of an ECO-Block home is concrete, it is considered masonry construction, ultimately resulting in lower insurance costs. Resale Value - All the features integrated into an ECO-Block home will add value when it comes time to sell. . Energy efficient Insulated concrete forms combine close celled expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation with the terrific performance of concrete's thermal mass to give you 30-50% savings in your heating and air conditioning costs. Obviously nothing blows through reinforced concrete. Covered EPS does not settle or deteriorate. What does all this mean to you? Significant, consistent long-term savings and exceptional comfort. Resistant to bugs There is absolutely no food value for termites in an ICF wall. For every one-degree we raise the earth's temperature we double the insect population. With global warming its time to be concerned about keeping the bugs outside and consequently protecting your investment and piece of mind. Solid concrete Nothing blows through concrete. Outside winds do not effect inside comfort. Gone are those uncomfortable winter drafts and huge areas of heat loss or gain from electrical boxes. ICF structures built from footing to rafter typically have their floor joists hung by engineered systems so that you have a full height reinforced insulated concrete wall. Huge savings in heat loss are now possible by eliminating drafts that are typically found where conventional floor joists rest on foundation walls. Sound-resistant Concrete filled insulated concrete forms provide exceptional sound attenuation. ICF walls virtually make outside noise inaudible inside. From partition walls in senior complexes, to churches, to commercial structures in high traffic areas. Aircraft, train, vehicular and severe weather noises stay outside. Silence is truly golden with ICF. Superior insulation Expanded polystyrene is the premium insulation choice for your long-term comfort. You have no air borne glass fibres to breath as well as no insulation settlement to be concerned about. With ICF high fluctuations in room temperatures will become a thing of the past and consequently you and your family will experience overall comfort like never before. Fire-resistant Walls built with Insulating Concrete Forms have a three-hour plus fire rating. We use only approved raw material bead with flame-retardant agents. Since our walls are constructed with reinforced concrete it is easy to compliment them with concrete steel floor and roof systems making your structure extremely fire proof. "When seconds count", you and your family will be glad you chose ICF. Resistant to storms and high winds Protect your investment, protect your family and protect yourself. Build with ICF. Environmentally friendly One ICF home saves at least ten trees, which absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and give us oxygen. If you can reduce your energy consumption by 30 -40% you can reduce your emissions by the same amount. Think about it. The world's most prevalent building materials are sand and gravel. ICF walls greatly reduce landfill, which generates methane.