CDBG Project Launches Builder into ICF Market PATH Case Study

Click here to visit the PATH website. The Builder: Rick McGuire American Dreamscape Lubbock, Texas Rick McGuire founded American Dreamscapes in 1992. He has built 10 homes with insulating concrete forms over the last three years through the Lubbock, Texas, Community Development Block Grant Program. The program uses federal, state, and local funds to provide temporary housing to low-income residents while new homes are constructed for them. The CDBG grants reduce the final cost of the home and make the mortgage affordable for low-income homeowners. Builder type: Small, family-owned custom builder The Technology: Insulating concrete forms ICFs are rigid plastic foam forms that hold concrete in place during curing and remain in place to serve as thermal insulation for concrete walls. The lightweight foam blocks, or planks, are energy efficient and highly durable. Read three PATH field evaluations: Bruce Davis Construction , La Plata, Md. Hopke Buildings & Grounds, Sturgeon, Mo. Hughes Construction, Lexington, N.C. Why he uses ICFs: "Our customers have been very happy with the comfort of their home because it is quieter and very energy efficient. You don't have as many hot and cold spots in the house as you would with conventional construction. ICFs are certainly the wave of the future. It's to your advantage to be on the cutting edge of technology, because it will expand your market reach and bring you new clients." The Project: A 1,600-square-foot home located in Lubbock, Texas. The house features an 8 x 10 foot tornado shelter located off the master bedroom. McGuire's story Rick McGuire began using insulating concrete forms (ICFs) when he won a bid to build low-income homes through the City of Lubbock's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which allocates funds to builders to construct or rehabilitate homes for low-income families. ICFs are a required technology for the Lubbock program. Brad Reed, a Lubbock CDBG administrator, explains why: "In 1997, I went to Austin to explore better ways of building," says Reed. "Builders there were using structural insulated panels (SIPS) and ICFs and getting good energy efficiency out of the homes they built. Because Lubbock gets a lot of tornados, it was imperative that the homes we were building through CDBG be able to withstand strong winds. At first, we were letting homeowners choose stick frame over concrete construction, but the energy savings and the storm-resistance qualities of homes made with ICFs were so much better that we ended up making it a requirement for all the CDBG homes built in Lubbock." Sold on the benefits "Homes built with ICFs are more energy-efficient than traditional stick-frame homes," McGuire says. "The sound barrier they provide is amazing. Sometimes you can see a lawn mower outside, but you'll barely be able to hear it inside an ICF home. They are also stronger and better able to withstand tornado damage. That safety factor is a key reason for building with ICFs in this region. Because of their energy savings and storm resistance, ICFs are required in all CDBG homes built in Lubbock, Texas. "I don't need traditional wall insulation because I am already using ICFs. They also make it easier to build tornado shelters. Because your crew is already laying the ICFs, you don't need to wait for another crew to come in and lay down cinder block or concrete for a shelter, as you would with a stick-framed home. "I am a believer in the technology. If I were building my own home, I would certainly use them. I certainly expect ICFs to be a part of our business practices in the future, even outside our participation in the CDBG program." Learning the ropes McGuire learned how to use ICFs through a three-day training session with Polysteel, sponsored by the City of Lubbock. Because one of McGuire's homes was selected as a field demonstration site for the training, he obtained hands-on experience. "The training was very beneficial in showing us how to deal with practical problems, such as how to make wall penetrations accommodate wiring and plumbing," McGuire says. "We also observed real-life examples of steel and concrete placement and bracing. I'm a loyal Polysteel customer not only because the company has been helpful in training me to use ICFs, but also because they are easy to use. "Once you're familiar with the technology, there's nothing revolutionary about the techniques. It still uses straight, square walls. You do have to plan for plumbing and electrical penetrations because once the concrete is poured, you won't be able to drill holes through it."   1 | 2  NEXT