First we select property with appropriate slope and solar orientation. Then we build a shell with 15” walls that are built of 8” steel reinforced concrete, covered on each side with 2 1/2” of foam insulation. Outside of that there is 1 1/8” of stucco with a polymer cover coat that will not crack and never needs painting. On the other side is 5/8” gypsum wallboard. The patented window openings are made of vinyl to eliminate any possibility of deterioration normally associated with wood openings. And the windows are the finest available with double seals that permanently seal out drafts and are rated to withstand hurricane force winds. The glazing offers the highest available resistance to heat and UV rays.

Then there is the roof. After the installation of steel trusses, steel reinforcement and 3 1/2” of concrete, soy based insulation is sprayed in 10” thick to provide an insulation value of R-34. And that’s just the roof. The walls come in close to R-50; much greater than stick construction.

Reduced Emissions

One of the major issues we are faced with today is global warming, which is negatively affecting our environment and weather patterns worldwide. Global warming is a direct result of harmful gas emissions into the earth's atmosphere. Our homes reduce energy consumption on average by 30-50% even without solar energy, which translates to an equivalent reduction in harmful emissions. The system also generates less than 1% construction waste on average, greatly reducing land-fill reducing methane emissions. Furthermore, our suppliers use steam and cold water to produce the foam forms. No CFC's, HCFC's, formaldehyde or any chemicals are used in the manufacturing process and no off-gassing is present.

Saves Trees

Worldwide deforestation adds 1-2 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere annually! In order to protect our atmosphere and ourselves, it is essential to reduce the number of trees we cut down. Each of our homes save at least ten trees, which absorb carbon dioxide and give us oxygen.

Recycled Materials

ICF forms are manufactured using recycled polypropylene. This means that over 60% of the weight of a foam block is comprised of recycled materials.

·	Four trees planted around a home can save up to 30% on summer cooling costs.

·	One million trees save $10 million a year in energy costs.

·	Forty trees remove 80 pounds of air pollutants annually.

·	Four million trees can save $20 million in air pollution clean up.

·	Four hundred trees capture 140,000 gallons of rainwater annually.

·	Four million trees save $14 million dollars in annual storm water runoff costs.