2x6 Wood Frame

Typical ICF 8" Block

Performance Comparison

Building Life Expectancy

80-85 years

200+ years

2-3x longer

Insulation type

Fiberglass R-19

Expanded Polystyrene

higher efficiency

R-Value of wall assembly
– ASHRAE
– infrared thermographic test

R-17
R-13 to R-15

R-20 - R-25
R-28 to R-50

30% higher
2x better

Air leakage
– through walls
–entire structure

high
0.35 Air Chg/hr

near-zero
0.09 Air Change/hr

virtually leakproof
4x better

Air changes due to leakage

8 times per day

2 times per day

4x better

Mass of 8 ft wall without coverings

32 lbs/ft

440 lbs/ft

14x more

Heat reservoir

9.2 BTU/hr/deg F

93.0 BTU/hr/deg F

10x greater

Heating/cooling cost
of 1500 square-foot home

$820/year

$240/year

3x better

Sum of toxicity factors in fire
(per ASTM E84)

50

less than 10
(self-extinguishing)

5x safer

Smoke generated

high

less than 170

superior

Sound insulating qualities

STC 32

STC 48

virtually soundproof

Environmental friendliness

poor

excellent

superior