Letters to the Editor
Insulated Concrete Forms Are an Atlernative to Plywood and OSB
I am disappointed that in your article on alternatives to plywood and OSB (Sheathing Alternatives to OSB and Plywood May Be Worth Considering, Sept. 29), you left out a whole other alternative to building the entire house with wood. What about Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)?
ICFs are very close in construction costs to a wood home (before the price increases), and the superior performance and ownership cost-effectiveness they provide the home owner cannot be touched by wood.
These homes eliminate most of the problems cited by insurance companies as a cause for higher insurance costs and provide better energy and sound performance. They are safer in storms and more resistant to fires, pests, mold and water damage.
Most of the world builds homes with concrete or non-wood materials. It is long overdue for us to do the same.
Michael G. Michaud
North Texas Help-U-Build
(Editor's Note: Nation's Building News Online will be publishing a story about home building using ICFs within the next several weeks.)