Are ICFs (insulated concrete blocks) a green building material?
Most of the definitions and programs of green building identify energy savings as a key criteria. Operating energy has the greatest environmental impact in any life cycle analysis, so any product which can reduce energy used in heating and cooling of a building is very “green”. Both the EPS foam and the concrete are highly durable and have a long service life with no repair or replacement costs. ICF material is very resource efficient and ICF construction generates very little waste, much of which can be recycled on the jobsite.
