Our system offers an ICF with 2.5″ of insulation on the inside and outside of the concrete wall creating a consistent, R–24 thermal barrier without the thermal bridging associated with conventional stick-built construction.

We’re unmatched in disaster resistance when compared to a wood-built structure. We would refer you to the National Wind Institute at the University of Texas Tech for more information on the benefits of a continuous masonry structure in the event of high winds.

Overall, building with ICFs is more cost-efficient than building a typical CMU (concrete block) structure. The ICF combines three trades into one. Masonry, insulation, and carpentry are all taken care of by one contractor. This reduces scheduling delays while waiting for the next contractor. Building with Pensmore’s vertical ICF increases this advantage even further — by being a faster ICF to install in comparison to the rest of the horizontal-block competitors.

ICFs inherently have an advantage in cold climates compared to MCU (concrete block) — because they have built-in insulation, creating the perfect environment for concrete curing — and they reduce the need for labor-intensive tenting and costly heating for typical block structures.

ICF is an exceptional sound barrier. This is an advantage for developers looking to build multi-family homes and apartments. When our vertical ICF is coupled with an insulated concrete floor system, the perceived noise by future occupants will be next to zero.

Building with a commercial ICF creates a proven fire barrier between units when used in multi-family residential homes and apartments.

Because of its vertical orientation, our system is factory-customizable to suit whatever design needs are required. Our vertical ICF will work with any floor system, compensate for any desired ceiling height, and can be factory cut to save on-site labor costs.

Using our vertical ICF eliminates the anxiety associated with horizontal ICF systems during the concrete pouring process. There is no need to worry about the forms settling under the weight of concrete or floating with vibration. As a contractor, rest assured that your end project will have the accurate, uniform wall height. You can be confident that your wall will be the optimal base for a level floor system or top plate that follows.