The Portland Cement Association (PCA), Skokie, Ill., recently partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Lake County, Ill., to help construct an insulating concrete form (ICF) home, one of two homes built side-by-side on 11th Street in Waukegan, Ill.
More than 40 PCA staff members participated in build-out days, assisted with erecting the ICF forms, and helped with general construction and site work.
What is unique about both homes is they will be Platinum certified, meeting the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED standard.
Representatives from the PCA installed the ICF system under the direction of Eric Barton, graduate master builder for Biltmore Insulated Concrete Inc., Highland Park, Ill. Using the LOGIX ICF system, the home uses 25% less energy to heat and cool than comparable wood-frame houses.
Concrete will be prominent throughout the entire PCA-constructed ICF home. The countertops, flooring with radiant heat, siding, and roof tiles all will be made of concrete-even the driveway will be constructed from pervious concrete.
Additionally, the ICF home is a 2010 Showcase Project for the USGBC's Greenbuild Conference scheduled for November in Chicago.