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ICF Construction Glossary of Terms

ICF Construction Glossary

A

  • Air Barrier: A material or system that prevents air leakage through the building envelope.
  • Air Gap: A space between materials that allows for air circulation and prevents moisture buildup.
  • Anchor Bolts: Bolts used to secure the sill plate of a wood-frame structure to the concrete foundation.
  • Assembly: The combination of ICF blocks, rebar, and concrete that forms a structural wall.

B

  • Bearing Wall: A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it.
  • Block Out: A section of the ICF wall left open to accommodate utilities or other penetrations.
  • Bracing: Temporary supports used to stabilize ICF walls during construction.
  • Buckling: The failure mode of a structural element subjected to high compressive stress.

C

  • Cavity Wall: A wall constructed with an air space between the inner and outer layers.
  • Concrete: A mixture of cement, aggregate, and water that hardens to form a strong, durable material.
  • Concrete Pump: A machine used to transfer liquid concrete to the forms.
  • Corner Block: An ICF block designed to form a 90-degree angle.
  • Curing: The process of maintaining the moisture and temperature conditions of freshly placed concrete to allow it to achieve its desired properties.

D

  • Dead Load: The weight of the structure itself, including walls, floors, and roofs.
  • Deflection: The bending or deformation of a structural element under load.
  • Drywall: A panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper, used to make interior walls and ceilings.

E

  • EPS (Expanded Polystyrene): A type of foam insulation commonly used in ICF blocks.
  • Energy Efficiency: The use of technology and design to minimize energy consumption.
  • Exterior Finish: The final layer applied to the outside of an ICF wall, such as stucco or siding.

F

  • Foam Insulation: A type of insulation made from materials like polystyrene or polyurethane.
  • Footing: The base of a foundation that distributes the weight of the structure to the soil.
  • Form Tie: A device used to hold the forms in place and maintain the correct spacing.
  • Foundation: The lowest part of a building structure that transfers the load to the supporting soil.

G

  • Grade Beam: A reinforced concrete beam that distributes the load of a structure to the foundation.
  • Green Building: Construction practices that minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability.
  • Gridwork: The interlocking pattern of ICF blocks that provides structural integrity.

H

  • Header: A horizontal structural element that supports the load above an opening, such as a door or window.
  • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): Systems used to control the temperature, humidity, and air quality in a building.

I

  • ICF (Insulated Concrete Form): A system of formwork for reinforced concrete usually made with a rigid thermal insulation.
  • ICF Block: A modular unit used to construct ICF walls, typically made of foam insulation with interlocking features.
  • Insulation: Materials used to reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency.
  • Interlocking: The design feature of ICF blocks that allows them to fit together securely.

J

  • Joint: The point where two ICF blocks meet.
  • Joist: A horizontal structural member used in construction to support a floor or ceiling.

K

  • Knee Wall: A short wall that supports the rafters of a roof.

L

  • Lintel: A horizontal structural element that supports the load above an opening, similar to a header.
  • Live Load: The weight of occupants, furniture, and other movable items in a building.
  • Load-Bearing: The ability of a structural element to support weight.

M

  • Masonry: Construction using individual units laid in and bound together by mortar.
  • Modular: A design approach that uses standardized units or sections.
  • Moisture Barrier: A material that prevents the passage of liquid water through the building envelope.

N

  • Nailing Strip: A strip of material attached to the ICF wall to provide a surface for nailing interior or exterior finishes.
  • Noggin: A short horizontal piece of material used to reinforce a wall.

O

  • Opening: A gap in a wall for doors, windows, or other penetrations.
  • Orientation: The positioning of a building in relation to the sun and prevailing winds to optimize energy efficiency.

P

  • Panel: A section of an ICF wall, typically consisting of multiple ICF blocks.
  • Parging: A thin layer of mortar applied to a masonry surface to provide a smooth finish.
  • Pilaster: A rectangular column that projects partially from a wall, often used for structural support.
  • Plumb: Vertically straight and true.
  • Polyurethane: A type of foam insulation known for its high R-value and durability.
  • Pour: The process of filling ICF forms with concrete.

R

  • R-Value: A measure of thermal resistance, indicating the insulation’s effectiveness.
  • Rebar (Reinforcing Bar): Steel bars used to reinforce concrete and increase its strength.
  • Retaining Wall: A wall designed to resist the lateral pressure of soil.
  • Rigid Insulation: A type of insulation that maintains its shape and provides structural support.

S

  • Shear Wall: A wall designed to resist lateral forces, such as wind or earthquakes.
  • Slump: A measure of the consistency of fresh concrete, indicating its workability.
  • Soffit: The underside of an architectural element, such as an eave or arch.
  • Spacer: A device used to maintain the correct spacing between ICF blocks.
  • Stack Bond: A pattern of laying ICF blocks where the vertical joints align.
  • Stem Wall: A short wall that supports the main wall above it.
  • Strength: The ability of a material to resist applied forces without failure.
  • Stud: A vertical structural element in a wall.
  • Sustainable: Construction practices that minimize environmental impact and promote long-term viability.

T

  • T-Wall: An ICF wall that forms a T-shaped intersection.
  • Thermal Mass: The ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy.
  • Tie: A device used to connect and stabilize ICF blocks.
  • Top Plate: The horizontal member at the top of a stud wall that supports the roof or floor joists.

U

  • U-Value: A measure of heat transfer through a material, indicating its insulation effectiveness.
  • Utility Chase: A space within a wall or floor designed to accommodate pipes, wires, or other utilities.

V

  • Vapor Barrier: A material that prevents the passage of water vapor through the building envelope.
  • Ventilation: The process of supplying fresh air to a building and removing stale air.
  • Vertical Reinforcement: Rebar placed vertically within ICF walls to provide structural support.

W

  • Wall Tie: A device used to connect the inner and outer layers of a cavity wall.
  • Waterproofing: The application of materials to prevent water penetration through a surface.
  • Weep Hole: A small opening that allows water to drain from behind a wall.
  • Window Buck: A frame installed within an ICF wall to support a window.

X

  • XPS (Extruded Polystyrene): A type of foam insulation known for its high R-value and moisture resistance.

Y

  • Yield Strength: The stress at which a material begins to deform plastically.

Z

  • Z-Bracing: A type of bracing used to stabilize ICF walls during construction, shaped like the letter Z.
  • Zero Energy Building: A building that produces as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year.