Home-Sustainable Building - Foam Form

Concrete Foam Forms

Foam type construction is a newer approach to concrete. Foam forms are essentially insulated building blocks that are tied together with rebar and then filled with concrete. They provide the same strength as a standard concrete wall with two to three times the insulation. There are several advantages to using these for foundation walls and above ground construction.Special forms are not needed because the foam insulation is the form itself. The concrete typically cures 20-30% stronger because of the slower cure rate due to the insulated forms. Also foam forms can have an R value rating of R-20 to R-40. This compares to an R-8 for a standard 8 inch thick concrete wall. They are also pre furred to accept drywall and other finishes without additional labor. Foam forms have many different applications but typically are used on sloping sites or for basements.