When contractors dream, they visualize ways that they can build better homes. This commitment to discovering new ways to build brought together two of the best building materials in the world: ICF and TotalJoist.
ICF stands for “Insulated Concrete Forms”, and TotalJoist is a cold-formed steel joist. Together, these dream building products have untold benefits for contractors on a job site. Let’s take a closer look at why you need to consider using both of these on your next project.
Benefits of ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) Construction
Benefits for Contractors – Fast and Easy to Install
Contractors and General Contractors across North America are choosing ICF as an efficient way to build homes and deliver more value to their customers. It’s easy – order the blocks, set them up similarly to Lego and fill them with concrete!
Increasing Your Client’s Home Energy Efficiency
Stacking ICF blocks and filling them with concrete creates an airtight, well-insulated seal around a home. (ICF often has insulation rated R-22.) Concrete also has thermal mass, allowing it to absorb, store and release heat as the space requires.
Strength to Withstand the Fiercest Conditions
As climate change takes its toll on North American homes, ICF is proving to help keep homeowners safe. Whether you are building in a hurricane zone, fire zone or anywhere with high moisture, your home is practically guaranteed to survive.
Sound Ratings
Many homes are built cheaply with interior walls constructed of lumber and drywall. With strategically located interior ICF walls combined with exterior walls made of concrete, the sound ratings on an ICF home are very high. The next Ringo Starr can practice their skills without disrupting the entire neighbourhood.
Affordable Options for Homeowners
Considering the additional benefits of ICF, you would imagine that this premium product would have premium prices. You should know that ICF can be used in a home for less than you think. It’s certainly something to consider!
Benefits of TotalJoist – Cold-Formed Steel Joists
TotalJoist is a patented joist solution that is made from a single piece of cold-formed steel. It helps to make construction projects a contractor’s dream. So, why are contractors combining TotalJoist with ICF?
TotalJoist Works with ICF Walls
Don’t use wood when you can have TotalJoist. By using our steel ledger track, the TotalJoists easily connect to concrete blocks, ICF, structural steel and cold-formed steel walls to provide a superior flooring system with fewer headaches.
Fire Resistant, Just Like ICF
Our cold-formed steel joists are non-combustible with a one-hour fire rating (UL, ULC Rated) and 50 STC acoustic rating with a single layer of gypsum.
Large Pre-Punched Service Holes
Large, pre-cut access holes allow trades (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) to easily run services through the web of the joist. This innovation reduces labour and schedule, eliminates bulkheads and increases ceiling height for a sleek, modern look in building design.
Joists With Vibration Control
Our vibration-controlled floor design means TotalJoist floors deliver industry-leading comfort. Our proprietary design using longer spans and shallower joists accounts for the effects of the supporting structure and has been calibrated based on the real-world testing of actual buildings.
Lightweight Joists
Prefabricated in Ontario and made from lightweight steel, TotalJoist is easy to install and quick to screw into place. Each joist is labelled and bundled according to bays eliminating the need to find each individual joist. This saves contractors like you a lot of time and energy.
ICF and TotalJoist: a Match Made in Heaven
Learn more about how TotalJoist can make your next ICF project into the solution you and your client dream of. Connect with our cold-formed steel experts today.
