Specifications
Blocos ICF:
straight block- 280 mm x 1200 mm x 430
corner block- 400 mm x 800 mm x 430
top- 65 mm x 150 mm x 430
straight block- 280 mm x 1200 mm x 430
corner block- 400 mm x 800 mm x 430
top- 65 mm x 150 mm x 430
ICF - what is it?
It is a building system made up of EPS insulating blocks (EPS - expanded polystyrene), also known in Portugal as Styrofoam, after being assembled, it is filled with reinforced concrete, making the outer walls of buildings.
This system brings together a high resistance material – reinforced concrete – between two 65 mm layers of EPS, a high insulating capacity material. This generates a wall with exceptional properties, with a particular emphasis on the high thermal and sound insulation and a superior structural strength.
ADVANTAGES
THERMAL INSULATION
High thermal insulation already integrated in the building system of outer walls. By bringing together two EPS layers, an excellent thermal insulator, with reinforced concrete unparalleled insulations indexes are guaranteed, with thermal conductivity below 0.20 W/m2K. This means less energy being spent in heating and cooling buildings.
High thermal insulation already integrated in the building system of outer walls. By bringing together two EPS layers, an excellent thermal insulator, with reinforced concrete unparalleled insulations indexes are guaranteed, with thermal conductivity below 0.20 W/m2K. This means less energy being spent in heating and cooling buildings.
SEISMIC RESISTANCE
Reinforced concrete walls in a building built with the duoForm system make it solid and safe. The reinforced concrete wall structures are more efficient in their resistance to seismic activity in comparison with conventional structures. A large part of the Portuguese territory is classified as earthquake-prone.
Reinforced concrete walls in a building built with the duoForm system make it solid and safe. The reinforced concrete wall structures are more efficient in their resistance to seismic activity in comparison with conventional structures. A large part of the Portuguese territory is classified as earthquake-prone.
RESISTANCE TO FIRE
EPS used in the production of the duoForm system is non-inflammable. Fire resistance tests performed in the US and Canada, on ICF walls, reveal an even stronger fire resistance in comparison with other building systems.
EPS used in the production of the duoForm system is non-inflammable. Fire resistance tests performed in the US and Canada, on ICF walls, reveal an even stronger fire resistance in comparison with other building systems.
SOUNDPROOFING
Sound transmission tests performed on ICF walls have proven a smaller sound transmission in comparison with traditional building systems. With double glazed windows and roof insulation, buildings built with the ICF system outperform all the soundproofing regulatory demands.
Sound transmission tests performed on ICF walls have proven a smaller sound transmission in comparison with traditional building systems. With double glazed windows and roof insulation, buildings built with the ICF system outperform all the soundproofing regulatory demands.
WATERPROOFING
EPS together with the concrete walls prevents water from flowing.
EPS together with the concrete walls prevents water from flowing.
LOW DEFECTS INDEX
With the duoForm system defects which are common in the traditional building systems, such as cracks, infiltrations or fungi or moulds are prevented.
EPS blocks provide superior concrete curing conditions vs. the traditional formwork systems. The concrete protection is given by the EPS that prevents the corrosion of the reinforcement elements and the carbonation of concrete, extending the life-cycle of the building.
With the duoForm system defects which are common in the traditional building systems, such as cracks, infiltrations or fungi or moulds are prevented.
EPS blocks provide superior concrete curing conditions vs. the traditional formwork systems. The concrete protection is given by the EPS that prevents the corrosion of the reinforcement elements and the carbonation of concrete, extending the life-cycle of the building.
LOW MAINTENANCE COSTS
The absence of building defects is translated into low maintenance costs throughout the building’s lifespan.
The absence of building defects is translated into low maintenance costs throughout the building’s lifespan.
VERSATILE
The duoForm system is simple and versatile. Two panels connected by the webs make a block. The blocks are fitted together on the wall-building according to the project. The fact that the system is reversible reduces the assembly time and avoids material waste.
The duoForm system is simple and versatile. Two panels connected by the webs make a block. The blocks are fitted together on the wall-building according to the project. The fact that the system is reversible reduces the assembly time and avoids material waste.
EASY AND FAST
Fitting blocks together is intuitive and the cuts and levelling are identical to traditional building. The webs or bars were designed to facilitate the fitting of the steel rods which will be the structure of the wall. After assembling a wall or set of walls the pouring of the concrete is done the traditional way. Actually, building with the ICF system has huge advantages for the workers: EPS is lightweight, easy to handle and to cut and the concrete can be mechanically pumped.
Fitting blocks together is intuitive and the cuts and levelling are identical to traditional building. The webs or bars were designed to facilitate the fitting of the steel rods which will be the structure of the wall. After assembling a wall or set of walls the pouring of the concrete is done the traditional way. Actually, building with the ICF system has huge advantages for the workers: EPS is lightweight, easy to handle and to cut and the concrete can be mechanically pumped.
AFFORDABLE
The duoForm system is supplied in panels; this considerably reduces the transportation costs and facilitates on-site storage. The cutting marks at each 25 mm and the reversible fitting system of the straight blocks and corners contribute towards waste reduction on-site.
The duoForm system is supplied in panels; this considerably reduces the transportation costs and facilitates on-site storage. The cutting marks at each 25 mm and the reversible fitting system of the straight blocks and corners contribute towards waste reduction on-site.
COMPLETE SYSTEM
In the duoForm system the building block is integrated in the concrete, thus it has the necessary resistance to support all types of external finishes. The varieties of finishes which can be considered include the EPS approved bars, ceramic coatings, natural stones, metallic coating, wood, phenolic panels, etc., the designer has total design freedom.
There is a large variety of options for interior finishes. The interior finishes of walls can be rendered, plastered, finished directly with ceramic or rock or finished with gypsum plasterboards. Regarding the partitions inside the building these can be made with the existing options available in the market used in other building systems, such as gypsum plasterboard partitions, concrete masonry units, brick masonry, etc.
In the duoForm system the building block is integrated in the concrete, thus it has the necessary resistance to support all types of external finishes. The varieties of finishes which can be considered include the EPS approved bars, ceramic coatings, natural stones, metallic coating, wood, phenolic panels, etc., the designer has total design freedom.
There is a large variety of options for interior finishes. The interior finishes of walls can be rendered, plastered, finished directly with ceramic or rock or finished with gypsum plasterboards. Regarding the partitions inside the building these can be made with the existing options available in the market used in other building systems, such as gypsum plasterboard partitions, concrete masonry units, brick masonry, etc.