www.newscanada.com
If you’re like many Canadians, home ownership is your main and largest investment. It’s important therefore, to note that some of the building codes in Canada (and around the world) have been updated for the purpose of producing more energy-efficient properties.
A standard, entry-level house built in 2012 for instance is expected to be significantly more energy efficient than an entry-level home built in 2006. A more stringent building code also means your builder will have to keep up with latest technology and how to apply it. For example, one of the more popular choices today is to discard the traditional wood-framed wall construction in favour of an innovative insulated concrete form system. Known as an ICF, the insulated concrete form is now even further advanced by Canadian manufacturer, Nudura.
A house constructed with this system (of pre-assembled, interlocking blocks) is reported to be stronger than a house made with wood. It is also more sound resistant, provides greater safety, and delivers energy savings and health benefits too. Drafts, cold spots and mould are controlled and homeowners are saving on energy bills up to 50 per cent.
Further product details:
• Pre-assembled concrete building forms make wall construction easier and faster for builders, designers and engineers.
• The newest design development includes a patented fastening strip to ensure no compression during placement and to securely lock the forms into place.
• The innovative, hinged web allows the forms to be shipped flat providing 40 percent more of them on a truck compared to other ICF products..
• Assembly time is eliminated and the compact form design allows one person the ability to easily carry 36 square feet of wall form from the truck to the storage area.
• Forms are larger than standard (measuring 8′ x 18” for the placement of 12 square feet of wall area in one building step). This results in faster installation times, less waste and reduced seams.
• A patented foam interlock allows the form to be 4-way reversible, almost eliminating waste. This automatically doubles the form usage whenever half height form may be required. It virtually eliminates waste when constructing gable end walls since both halves of the cut form can be used.
More information on this—as well as efficient ceilings and floors—is available online at www.nudura.com.
Have you heard of Nudura or had any experience in using this material? Is concrete the way to go? Comment below!
