insulated concrete: ICF disadvantages

ICF construction means high energy efficiency and comfortable homes, and also durability, lower heating and cooling HAVC equipment and sound-proofing and mold and mildew-free walls...

The main or truly disadvantage of ICF construction is on its prices.ICF construction is a new alternative to wood, steel and concrete frame wall construction. See: ICF panels and blocks

Higher costs: the big disadvantage

Some years ago, building a ICF home was clearly more expensive (10% or more) than a wood-frame or a traditional concrete home. Prices are now much closer, namely in locations where concrete construction is common.

Anyway, average ICF homes are still 2% to 7% more expensive than common wood-frame homes. That's ICF construction main disadvantage.

See: Insulated Concrete Forms: ICF Costs and Prices

Environmental impact

Since ICF construction involves concrete, it also shares the environmental disadvantage of... concrete construction, that is, the large amounts of energy required to produce cement.

To get a better environmental impact, prefer ICF forms with a high content of recycled products. See: ICF Manufacturers

Legal barriers

ICF is now a well known construction material. Ancient legal barriers have gone, but some legal loopholes may still exist in local building codes. Seek the advice of ICF manufacturers to solve remaining doubts or legal barriers.