insulated-concrete-forms / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

Radiant heating systems are very common in concrete floors now because they provide a very balanced and comfortable distribution of heat. Those systems are most commonly hydronic, meaning heated liquid is pumped through tubing in the concrete which then radiates that heat into the house. View the slab on grade foam for...

A frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is a well-proven alternative to deeper, more-costly foundations for cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave. And the simplest way to build a solid and dependable foundation is to use frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) forms. This co...

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF Blocks); are they the best way to build a basement? For decades, the highest standard for building a basement was a formwork of wood or steel, which is then filled with poured concrete and is stronger and less prone to water leaks than a CMU or stone foundation wall that are found on earli...

The Definitive History of ICFs - Contents What is the history of ICFs ? What is the History of Plastic foam ICF's  ICF blocks aren't made of styrofoam Who invented foam ICF construction blocks? Which was the first ICF block construction? What happened next in the history of ICFs? The History of ICFs Timeline ...

What is the best wall system for a home?  We're frequently asked which is the perfect wall system for high-performance LEED, Passive House or Zero Energy Homes, Well, a perfect Answer to that Is, first Ask the Right Questions! - After all, what is the best way to get from one place to another?  You have to choose betwe...

See more videos about passive solar high performance home building here  Once a decision has been made to choose between a crawlspace or a slab foundation, you need to know how to finish the edge off durably. Typically the exterior edge of a slab on grade is made of EPS foam and can be parged. Having used rigid Rockwo...

Self-healing concrete: how bacteria in concrete works to heal itself. The construction industry is witnessing a shift toward resilient and autonomous materials, with self-healing concrete (also known as bio-concrete) leading the charge for 2026. This technology allows foundations and slabs to repair their own cracks, p...

VIG vs. triple pane: why vacuum glazing is the future of energy efficiency Vacuum insulated glass (VIG) is another a significant leap in window technology, offering a way to achieve extreme thermal resistance without the bulk of traditional multi-pane units. By removing the air between two sheets of glass to create a t...

A new cement block manufacturing process developed by an American company named Solidia Technologies® produces 40% fewer emissions during manufacturing than conventional concrete, resulting in a dramatically lower environmental footprint. Solidia’s concrete is formulated with less lime and is cured at lower temperature...

The vision: a brighter future for Canada and North America through an evolving mid-rise construction industry Canada is the country of wood and we are all invested in the successful future of this sustainable industry. The construction of mid-rise buildings (between 6 and 10 floors) is the most important sector of the ...

Polished concrete floors are extremely durable and non-toxic; silicate-based densifiers keep them that way and make it a great start to safe indoor-air quality in a home. This is an excellent flooring option for anyone with chemical sensitivities who wants a beautiful and durable eco-friendly floor in their passive sol...