In addition to the inherent insulation value of the EPS foam, the thermal performance is enhanced by the thermal mass effect of the concrete and the absences of air infiltration in walls constructed with ICF. The combination of the heavy concrete mass and the foam surrounding it stores heat in the winter. In the summer it moderates the rise in the indoor temperature as the outdoor temperature increases during the day. In the cool of the evening, heat stored in the concrete is radiated back to the outside atmosphere.

Our ICF is manufactured with Modified Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam because of its fire performance, structural performance, and environmental advantages. Modified EPS contains no formaldehydes or toxic chemicals, and uses fewer resources to manufacture than other insulation products. EPS provides you with superior thermal performance to better insulate your buildings, and no harmful CFC’s have ever been used to manufacture it. EPS is a valuable resource than can be remanufactured into foam packaging or made into an amazing array of polystyrene products from office supplies to video cassette cartridges.

No. EPS is an inert, non-biodegradable organic plastic foam which will not rot and is highly resistant to mildew. According to National Bureau of Standards Combustion Tests, data collected from seven labs concluded that under the worst case fire scenario, fumes from EPS are no more toxic than those from wood (Douglas Fir).