The Concrete House: Building Solid, Safe & Efficient with Insulating Concrete Forms

by Pieter A. Vanderwerf

Book Overview

Prospective homeowners will welcome this introduction to a durable, energy-efficient new building technology: insulating concrete forms (ICFs). Written by a top expert in the field, and organized in an accessible question-and-answer form, it will help homebuyers decide whether an ICF is right for them and how to get the most for their money. Every aspect of planning and construction is covered, from exactly what an ICF is to the intricacies of building...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1402736290
• ISBN13: 9781402736292
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Sterling
• Length: 170 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 9.0" x 10.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent book & informative

This is one of the well written books by the author, whom I believe the well known expertise in the field. Targeting on the American ( North America) market, the author provided a step by step in depth, but clearly plain language in introduction on the major aspects of the ICF house.It is a good guideline and reference for the people who are interested in this type of construction. wheather you're a contractor, architect or a homeowner. It is a must have and must read if you want to touch this filed of ICF building.

Excellent Resource

This book is written for the general public and provides an excellent and thorough introduction to icfs (insulating concrete forms). This book would be useful to any person considering building a home with them. I think all contractors, builders, architects, and engineers should also be aware of this framing system and would benefit from the book. The book is extemely easy to understand. The author assumes you are starting from zero. Although at times you may be reading some very basic stuff that you know already, overall this is an effective strategy in that the author ensures that everyone can understand everything in the book, even those who have no previous knowledge of standard construction. This is done through clear writing and also very good illustrations. I am considering building a new home with icfs and this has given me an excellent foundation. Although this book provides a lot of useful information, it is not a substitute for a structural engineer or an experienced icf contractor. It is also not a "how to" guide with step by step instructions for building yourself with icfs. The book is not boring at all and has been a huge help to me as I decide how to frame my new house. A great investment.

Good overview

The Concrete House, by Pieter A. VanderWerf. It is an interesting book to read if you are considering building in this manner. It is witten from an American perspective, for the American market (I'm Australian), but as it doesn't get too technically involved, it translates quite well. This is not a "how to build" book. It is written in question and answer format, and is aimed more at those who have heard of the ICF style of building but want to know more about the features and benefits, and basic construction details of it.

Insulated Concrete Form buildings

ICFs provide cost-effective ease of construction, energy efficiency, quiet, and long-term sustainability for any location (mountain, coast, valley, flood plain, frequent tornadoes, cold and hot, arid and humid). The use of steel studs on interior walls provides strong structure and reduces thermal breaks. ICFs work for basements and multistory structures. They are insect-proof. Anything you can design and build with typical "boards and sticks" construction you can do much better with ICFs. ICFs can be used for floors, ceilings, walls and roofs or SIPs (structural insulated panels) can be used. ICFs are suitable for the tropics or high elevation snowy mountains. Want a house that will still be there after a severe tornado? Look into ICFs. How do you introduce a contractor to ICFs who has been building the same way for 25 years with the motto, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" (resistant to changing methods of construction) - give your contractor a copy of this book. Spend one 24 hour in an ICF house - feel the ambient temperature, listen to the sound, look at the natural and artificial lights, then demand high quality, sustainable ICF construction for yourself, your business, schools and church. Houses are expensive and costly to operate, regardless of climate. ICFs require good thorough thinking in advance (you're not going to move a window or door easily later on). Want sustainable cost-effective construction in and above ground? Build ICFs.