While The New American Home is constructed using insulating concrete forms (ICF), there are three other types of concrete home building systems – removable forms (cast-in-place), concrete masonry, and precast concrete forms. These design options are slightly different; however, the advantages each provides to the homeowner are equivalent.

Interior and exterior walls can be finished to meet the homeowner’s preference on all concrete homes. Options including finishing the concrete itself—to look like brick or other finish styles—or adding vinyl siding, stucco, brick or stone.

Insulating Concrete Forms
One of the fastest growing methods of home construction in the United States involves the use of Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs). Two basic types of ICF systems are currently available. One uses hollow, polystyrene blocks that stack and interlock almost like children’s building blocks. The other uses panels or planks that are held a constant distance apart by a series of plastic or metal ties.

After using the forms to construct a hollow wall with vertical and horizontal steel reinforcement, contractors pump concrete into the cavity to create a solid structural wall with insulation on both sides. Unlike traditional concrete forms, the forms stay in place and the polystyrene insulation on either side of the concrete functions as the insulation for the home. Drywall is screwed into the fastening surface on the interior side of the forms. The result is a highly energy-efficient, disaster-resistant home that fits into any neighborhood.

The Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA), Portland Cement Association (PCA), and other allied organizations have produced a variety of technical, training and promotional tools concerning ICF construction over the last several years. For more information about ICFs, visit www.forms.org, www.concretehomes.com or www.icfweb.com.

Information about the Arxx High Performance Wallsystem, which was used to construct The New American Home 2004, can be found at www.arxxbuild.com.

Concrete Masonry
A concrete home building system that is familiar to most Americans is concrete masonry, also known as concrete block. Using this time-proven technique, masons lay a series of courses, or rows, using the block units. Each course is set on a layer of mortar to bind the blocks and to ensure proper spacing. The most common exterior finish is stucco, while on the inside surface, the walls can be furred out to accommodate drywall. There are a number of new types of concrete block systems on the market that make it easier than ever to achieve a wide variety of architectural looks and to incorporate rigid insulation for added energy efficiency.

The National Concrete Masonry Association works to further the cause of masonry construction in North America. Visit www.ncma.org to learn more. The Portland Cement Association’s residential website, www.concretehomes.com also has useful information about concrete masonry.

Precast Concrete Forms
With pre-cast technology large sections, or panels, of concrete walls are poured horizontally in a carefully controlled factory environment. Openings for walls, doors, electrical and plumbing lines are selected in advance of the pour. The factory setting ensures a very high level of quality, which is unaffected by weather or unexpected jobsite conditions. Once completed and cured, the panels are delivered by truck to the job site, lifted into place with a crane, and fastened together. Precast panel systems often incorporate a layer of foam insulation to greatly enhance the energy efficiency of the completed wall.

A textured orange peel finish and coat of latex paint are all that is needed to finish the interior panel. The combination of concrete and foam insulation delivers an aesthetically pleasing home with superior energy efficiency, durability and moisture resistance. A precast home can utilize virtually any blueprint design.

The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute maintains a website at www.pci.org.

Removable Concrete Forms
Traditional concrete forming, also known as cast-in-place, is typically associated with basement foundations and commercial construction. However, in recent years a number of form manufacturers have utilized their products for the above ground walls and floors of single-family homes.

With conventional cast-in-place construction, a crew erects forms of plywood, steel, or aluminum that make a mold in the shape of the desired walls. After placing steel bars to reinforce the wall, the crew pours concrete inside the cavity. Once the concrete hardens, the crew strips the forms to leave the reinforced concrete walls. For above ground walls, a layer of rigid foam insulation is attached on both or either side of the concrete, or within the inner cavity, to provide additional energy efficiency.

Some cast-in-place systems make it possible to use form liners or apply architectural finishes to the exterior surface of the concrete. On the interior, a skimcoat layer of plaster is typically applied, with painting as the final step – it is not necessary to install drywall.

The Concrete Homes Council, a subsidiary organization of the Concrete Foundations Association, maintains a website at www.concretehomescouncil.org. This group is committed to advancing the use of removable concrete forms for above-grade residential applications.

About the Portland Cement Association
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.