Aug 10 2008
Greenblock Worldwide Corporation, a leader and pioneer in the insulated concrete form (ICF) industry, announced that they have begun marketing their ICF products and installation services in Arizona. With their roots in Europe, the company has been promoting the use of their ICFs as an energy saving alternative to stick frame and concrete block construction, for the last forty years.
"Greenblock was Green before Green was cool," says Paul DeNigris, Southwest Territory Manager for Greenblock. "ICF construction is a logical choice for this area with its extreme summer temperatures. Homes and buildings built with ICF wall systems are super energy efficient, clean, quiet and comfortable. And home and building owners can have the satisfaction of knowing they're doing their part to conserve our resources here in Arizona," continued DeNigris.
Insulated concrete forms are a 'stay in place' insulated wall forming system made of three primary components; high R-value expanded polystyrene foam, rigid plastic ties and steel-reinforced poured concrete. The use of ICF's began more than a half century ago and is continuing to gain popularity throughout the construction industry -- especially now because of its Green attributes.
Greenblock's commitment to energy saving, sustainable building practices encompasses both residential and commercial structures. As members of the USGBC and NAHB, Greenblock is dedicated to providing green building solutions to builders and developers who desire to minimize the environmental impact of their projects. According to a recent Mc-Graw Hill Construction research report, "today's corporate leaders are already very conscious of using green practices when considering new facilities, and they expect green building to have an increasing impact on the future."
The bulk of a commercial building's environmental footprint is caused by the energy consumed in the heating and cooling of the structure over its lifetime. The high performance thermal envelope provided by Greenblock ICF construction can offer significant contribution towards reducing the energy consumption needed to control the interior climate of the building. Additionally, the lack of air infiltration and the resistance to moisture through the exterior walls eliminates the growth of mold and pests penetration thus creating a healthy indoor environment that promotes increased employee productivity due to the reduction of sick days.
Projects seeking a green certification from the United States Green Building Council, NAHB or Green Building Initiative, benefit from involving Greenblock ICFs with their project. Greenblock insulated concrete forms are:
Energy Efficient
The expandable polystyrene foam in a Greenblock wall provides a consistent R-24 Thermal Resistance over the life of the product. Coupled with the thermal mass characteristics of concrete, as well as the lack of air infiltration in an ICF wall, the Greenblock system provides a wall comparable to that of an R-50 wood-framed or CMU wall. ICF structures are up to 70% cheaper to heat and 50% cheaper to cool than traditional wood frame or concrete block construction.
Sound Resistant
Structures using Greenblock achieve documented levels of STC (Sound Transmission Classifications) 50 (inaudible) or higher. Wood frame and CMU structures are typically rated an average STC 25, meaning people inside of the structure can hear and understand voices outside the structure. Outside noise such as traffic, airplanes, construction and even lawnmowers and leaf blowers are greatly reduced, making the structure a quiet, peaceful sanctuary.
Strong and Safe
Greenblock structures are much stronger than traditional building methods and materials. They provide exceptional protection from severe forces of nature, such as hurricanes and tornados. Greenblock foundation walls resist cracking and buckling up to five times better than concrete block walls. Greenblock walls are built with steel-reinforced concrete and fire-resisting expanded polystyrene foam, and they have a 2 to 4 hour fire rating depending on which product is used. ICF structures also improve indoor air quality by eliminating the holes and crevices that can trap moisture and foster mold and mildew growth.
Environmentally Friendly
The decision to construct with Greenblock ICFs is an environmentally responsible choice. Buildings constructed with ICFs significantly reduce the negative impact on the environment through sustainable site-planning, energy-efficiency, lower HVAC requirements and improved indoor air quality.(Builders can earn up to 20 LEED points). Greenblock ICFs are non-toxic; using no CFCs, HCFCs or formaldehydes, the absence of "off-gassing" eliminates the possibility of air pollution or ozone depletion.
(Greenblock is the only ICF company to offer in-house ICF wall installation services to make it easy to transition from traditional building methods).