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IntegraSpec,
The Award Winning Insulated Concrete Form (ICF)
So what's all
the fuss about?
IntegraSpec is an award winning insulated
concrete wallsystem that recently won The Global Traders Innovation Award
recognizing IntegraSpec's unique patented technology that enables contractors
to work faster, more accurately and with less waste than other ICF's on the
market today. This technology is also recognized by the Museum of Science and
Technology in Ottawa, touting Canada's gift to the Construction Industry.
So what can IntegraSpec do for the homeowner?
IntegraSpec offers a super insulated concrete wall system, reinforced with
steel rebar which far exceeds the conventional building code. Any exterior
wall, either below grade or above grade can be constructed using IntegraSpec.
The homeowner can save up to 70% of their heat and cooling costs since the wall
system can deliver award winning insulating performance. IntegraSpec homes are
extremely quiet, reducing unwelcome exterior noises such as wind, traffic, etc.
The steel reinforced concrete walls provide a safe haven against strong storms,
tornados and hurricanes. The "build green" components present a healthy home
environment for your family eliminating harmful off gassing, mould and mildew.
All of these benefits at an affordable cost.
IntegraSpec homes and
builders have won the Cement Association's National Energy Efficiency Award for
the past two years. IntegraSpec homes and builders have won the R-2000's
Environmental Excellence, Technical Excellence and Design Excellence Awards.
These awards recognize IntegraSpec's ability to deliver structural stability,
indoor air quality and energy efficiency as mentioned above.
So why are some builders not using an
ICF?
Fear of change. Some builders are afraid to stray from the
building practices that they started with. New technology concerns them.
Some builders think that the cost of an ICF wall system is too costly.
This is not an accurate assumption, an average foundation costs approx. $2,000
more than the minimum conventional foundation at the drywall stage. An average
main level costs approx. $4,000 more than conventional stick frame, exterior
walls. These comparisons don't even consider equitable structural or insulation
performances.
"Spec" builders have included IntegraSpec in their home
packages. They understand the benefits ICF's offer and want their quality to be
recognized from the foundation up.
All builders are able to provide a
quick cost estimate for their clients to build an ICF home. Insulated Concrete
Solutions, your local Authorized IntegraSpec Distributor offers quick
estimates, free of charge. If you cannot find a builder who will use an ICF,
Insulated Concrete Solutions would be pleased to provide the names and
references of builders or subcontractors who are Certified IntegraSpec
Installers and recognize the benefits of IntegraSpec. 
IntegraSpec® has been created with the input of structural
engineers, computer assisted design, and more than 75 years of field experience
in residential/commercial concrete forms and the general construction industry.
The IntegraSpec® insulating concrete form (ICF)/building system was
designed to address and eliminate the problems that most ICF systems encounter:
blowouts, form unit flotation and bulging, wall compression, wavy walls. It has
also been designed to dramatically reduce waste, set up/bracing and labour
costs, shipping costs and delivery date(s). IntegraSpec®'s quality and
performance give the builder(s) the edge on delivering a higher end finished
product/result while also increasing their profits on large or small projects
and in all markets: low-rise & multilevel commercial, industrial,
institutional, retrofit and residential construction.
Insulated
concrete has always had the potential to decrease construction cost and time,
provide outstanding monthly heating/cooling and mechanical systems savings,
give superior sound and fire resistance, and lessen operating/maintenance
costs. IntegraSpec® insulating concrete forms (ICF)/building system
delivers on those principles with increased quality, performance, integrity,
profitability and satisfaction.
The IntegraSpec® system consists
of stay-in-place expanded polystyrene form units suited for low-rise &
multilevel commercial, industrial, institutional and residential construction.
IntegraSpec® form units are simply interlocked in courses with quick snap
in rebar placement. After the rapid block set up and simple alignment, concrete
is poured. The resulting monolithic solid wall structure is complete and ready
for exterior/interior finish. IntegraSpec® integrates quick and easy form
work, structure, insulation, studs/strapping, vapor/air barriers, into one cost
and time efficient building system.
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