Date: May 11, 2017
News - Eastern Shore Boasts First Multi-Use, Multi-Story ICF Structure
The last few weeks have been filled with the unfortunate details of the massive University of Maryland building that caught fire and was later determined as a total loss. A $39 million dollar loss. Wood frame construction is often viewed as the least expensive composition to construct multi-story buildings in order to meet code.
What if we started building structures so they will last through the centuries; not barely a person’s lifetime? What if we built structures that are so solid and quiet that tenants are happy to renew their leases? What if the space within these structures are evenly temperature controlled without a fancy HVAC system and takes less energy to heat and cool?
Headlines like the University of Maryland fire are an increasing occurrence. It should be no surprise that wood burns, yet we all pay for this cheap construction through higher insurance and governmental costs.
If a tornado or hurricane equivalent to Sandy or worse comes up the East Coast and you had the choice of taking shelter in a wood frame structure or an ICF structure, what would you choose? Disasters are not an “if” occurrence. They are a “when” occurrence. Hurricane Sandy narrowly missed our area. Hurricane Matthew blew out to sea, but caused $51 million in damages in Virginia. From 1950 to 2015, over 1,000 tornados touched down in Maryland and Virginia.
If you were building a new house would you consider a different type of construction for a more comfortable, safer environment, and affordable energy costs?
If you are a developer building a commercial or multi-use structure, would you want to build something that your tenants will love? Wouldn’t you like to be responsible for building something that will be around long after you are gone?
One local developer understands the value of building a better structure and leaving a legacy behind. Eastern Bay Management Corporation is creating the first multi-story, multi-use insulated concrete form (ICF) commercial building on the Eastern Shore called the Chesapeake Village Center. ICF, is a system of formwork for reinforced concrete made with a rigid thermal insulation that stays in place as a permanent interior and exterior substrate for walls, floors, and roofs. The forms are interlocking modular units that are dry-stacked and filled with concrete. If you are not familiar with ICF, here are several reasons why you should understand this product a little bit more…
Stands the Test of Time
ICF structures are designed to last for centuries. Unlike other materials, ICF gets stronger over time and won’t rust, mold, rot or deteriorate.
Save Energy
ICF’s strength, durability, thermal mass and energy efficiency make it an environmentally friendly material – especially when you consider the entire lifecycle of the building.
Peace & Quiet
ICF is energy efficient and virtually maintenance-free, greatly reducing sound transmission from the outside world. About one-sixth as much sound gets through an ICF wall compared to an ordinary frame wall.
Simple to Build
If a material isn’t easy to use, it doesn’t matter how strong it is. ICF can be molded into any shape, size or design you can imagine. Think of them as adult LEGOs!
Safe & Strong
Building with ICF and concrete gives you a fire-resistant structure and a safe structure from natural disasters. You can exceed building requirements, instead of just meeting them.
Click here for more information on Insulated Concrete Forms or visit www.Forms.org