Q. What are Insulating Concrete Forms?

A. Insulating Concrete Forms are a lightweight and insulated stay-in-place concrete form. Insulating Concrete Forms replaces conventional concrete formwork or masonry block in residential and light commercial applications.

Q. What is Insulating Concrete Forms made of?

A. Expanded polystyrene.

Q. What is expanded polystyrene?

A. Expanded polystyrene is foamed polystyrene, a common plastic. Expanded polystyrene is widely used in the building industry as insulating material and is noted for its safe properties for installers, end consumers and the durability of its high insulating quality.

Q. What are the block's physical dimensions?

A. Click here for dimension chart.

Q. Does the Insulating Concrete Forms system work?

A. Yes. The thousands of successful projects and satisfied customers are testament to the fact that not only does Insulating Concrete Forms perform but keeps performing in application after application.

Q. What is the history of Insulating Concrete Forms's performance in the field?

A. Outstanding. The success of the Insulating Concrete Forms system relies on strength of design, quality of manufacture, ease of use and the backing of a full line of support for the builder. 

Q. Is building with Insulating Concrete Forms as easy as it looks?

A. We are often told we don't emphasize enough how easy working with the system really is.

Q. How do walls built with Insulating Concrete Forms compare structurally to conventionally?

A. With comparable design, Insulating Concrete Forms walls are typically stronger. Concrete placed using the Insulating Concrete Forms system will normally achieve compressive strength 50% greater than conventionally placed concrete because of Insulating Concrete Forms' temperature-controlled and moisture-retaining environment. Use of the Company's recommended concrete mix also reduces the likelihood of voids and provides optimum placing consistency.

Q. Who is A. Anderson Building Systems?

A. A. Anderson Building Systems is a Consulting Distributor that will help you with design and application to meet your specific building needs. A. Anderson Building Systems has over 25 years of construction and concrete experience. A wealth of experience and knowledge is available for you from start to finish. 

Q. How many projects have been done?

A. Thousands of projects have been successfully completed throughout the U.S. These include basements, stem walls, retaining walls, decorative walls, fences, bridge abutments, entrance ways, acoustic walls, swimming pools, landscaping applications, pier and grade beams, complete homes, churches, schools and other institutional structures and commercial buildings, as well as many other project-specific applications that relied on Insulating Concrete Forms' unique versatility and job effectiveness.

Q. Can I see a job in progress?

A. Yes. Contact A. Anderson Building Systems, your Consulting Distributor. We will be able to direct you to jobs covering a range of applications in various stages of completion. We will be happy to discuss your project at our TOLL FREE number (877) 521-0764.

Q. How much does it cost?

A. The price of Insulating Concrete Forms varies depending on type of block, job location and size of order. A. Anderson Building Systems  will be happy to provide you a quote for your job absolutely free .

Q. How much is it per lineal foot?

A. Lineal foot prices will vary substantially depending on applications and job site. In general, the more difficult the job site and application, the greater the cost benefit from Insulating Concrete Forms. To estimate your job labor and materials contact A. Anderson Building Systems, who will be happy to assist.

Q. How does the cost compare?

A. Depending on wall height and the difficulty of the job, comparative costs will range from competitive versus conventionally formed walls to lower. In addition to any hard dollar savings, we find that jobs take from as little as a third to half the time. As you would expect, builders see tremendous increases in productivity. A. Anderson Building Systems, who is trained in making such comparisons.

Q. How will the homeowner save?

A. Savings will come in lower energy costs and fewer callbacks and repairs. In addition, Insulating Concrete Form homes carry an improved fire rating, frequently reducing insurance costs, and are normally appraised at a higher value than traditional wood frame homes; Insulating Concrete Form basements are distinctly superior to traditional basements providing additional living space at a fraction of normal housing costs.

Q. Will my lender approve the use of Insulating Concrete Forms?

A. Yes. Insulating Concrete Forms are recognized as meeting or exceeding the requirements of all U.S. model and most state and local building codes. Code reports are available.

Q. How do I buy Insulating Concrete Forms?

A. Contact A. Anderson Building Systems TOLL FREE @ 1-877-521-0764. 

Q. Can I build a whole house out of Insulating Concrete Forms?

A. Absolutely. Not only does a Insulating Concrete Forms home offer insulating and construction advantages, it is very cost effective in the face of soaring lumber prices. Cost effectiveness will vary from area to area and you should consult with A. Anderson Building Systems for comparisons. Other advantages include: a home of exceptional quality able to command a premium with your customer; lower maintenance, fire insurance and energy costs; unexcelled soundproofing and wall integrity; higher appraisal and resale value; and the backing of a national marketing campaign highlighting the outstanding design of a Insulating Concrete Forms home. 

Q. Can we install Insulating Concrete Forms ourselves?

A. The Insulating Concrete Forms system is designed so that the walls can be built and the concrete placed by a framing contractor, a general contractor, or an owner/builder with a working knowledge of foundation construction.

Q. Do you provide on-site service?

A. A. Anderson Building Systems provides free on-site service. A. Anderson Building Systems will train your people and share our knowledge to make your experience with Insulating Concrete Forms as productive as possible - whether it's your first job or a new or particularly complex application. In addition, A. Anderson Building Systems is available for on-the-job problem solving and is supported by the Company's engineering and technical staff, should you require on-the-job assistance. A. Anderson Building Systems act as advisors to either you or your subcontractor. We are not contractors. As a result, we are experts at making you an expert, leaving control and learning where it should be - with you and your subcontractors.

Q. Do the local building officials accept Insulating Concrete Forms?

A. Most building departments defer to one of the national or regional evaluation services. Insulating Concrete Forms is recognized by the three major evaluation groups and by most states, cities and counties that are not covered by one of these national services. In addition, the Company's account managers visit each jurisdiction to answer any specific questions that building officials may have and to acquaint the inspectors with the Insulating Concrete Forms system. We would be happy to send your local building official any technical or general information he or she may request.

Q. What is Insulating Concrete Forms's R-value?

A. The standard form has an R-22 equivalent. Equivalent R-values are the measurements commonly used to convert to stud-and-batt construction standards.

Q. Does Insulating Concrete Forms meet my energy code?

A. Insulating Concrete Forms' R-value exceeds every energy code requirement in the U.S.

Q. Is Insulating Concrete Forms harmful to the environment?

A. Insulating Concrete Forms is highly beneficial to the environment. By incorporating both the means of construction and insulation, building with Insulating Concrete Forms eliminates most waste. And because all Insulating Concrete Forms structures are insulated, energy use in finished structures is reduced substantially. Finally, the manufacturing process is neither harmful to the environment nor to the people who make Insulating Concrete Forms - CFC's, HCFC's or other toxic substances are not used in its manufacture.

Q. I'm interested in trying Insulating Concrete Forms. How do I proceed?

A. Call TODAY -  A. Anderson Building Systems  TOLL FREE at  (877) 521-0764 and we'll setup an appointment to help you get started right a way.

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For installation information and a video call 1-877-521-0764 for details.