Photo: Marshalls Abroad

If you are considering moving into a new home, chances are high that you are looking for the best framing material that will guarantee you a highly durable home. In the past, most builders used traditional wood as the only framing material. However, better forms of construction, which are energy-efficient and more durable, are now available in the market. The insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are acting as a worthy replacement of traditional wood framing.

This article helps you understand what ICFs are, and the reasons why you should consider using them for your home construction.

Photo: Rambling Renovations

What is ICF?

An ICF refers to a type of building material that features a concrete slab sandwiched between two layers of polystyrene foam, which act as an insulator. ICF differ from wood framing because they are more durable and resist major elements.

Why is ICF Superior?

It is generally accepted that insulated concrete foams are much better than most of the other building materials commonly used in building sites. Such superiority is attributed to the fact that ICFs are energy efficient. Using the insulated concrete foams alongside the polystyrene foam, you do not have to worry about loss of heat energy in the home since the concrete offers a natural structure that ensures no energy loss.

Photo: Architectural Digest

Is ICF Expensive?

ICF construction is quite expensive but such a cost is relative to the value that you get. It is expected that you will incur between 3% and 5% extra in ICF construction. However, considering the fact that ICF is energy efficient, you will only need to have small cooling and heating systems in the house thus cutting the unit cost of energy significantly.

Photo: Rambling Renvoations

Other Benefits of ICF

ICF construction is highly beneficial. Some of the benefits of ICFs are highlighted below:

Highly durable: ICF successfully withstands extreme weather elements including strong wind. This makes ICF homes have a longer lifespan in comparison to homes built with wood framing.

Fire resistance: ICF is a very poor fire conductor because its main ingredient, concrete, is fireproof by nature.

Pests and mold resistance: Do you want to learn how to get rid of Black Mold from your home? Molds bring numerous health complications not forgetting that a black mold attack on wood can be costly and tasking to do away with. ICF built homes are mold proof because they do not provide a conducive environment for these to survive.

Sound insulation: Strong ICF concrete acts as an insulator to sound. This soundproof feature makes ICF the best material for busy and noisy areas such as near airports or within towns.

Photo: Dering Hall

Having a highly durable and strong home is the dream of every homeowner. If this is your dream, then sampling custom ICF homes can be a great way to start your journey to owning a durable, soundproof, fire, mold, and pest resistant home. However, it is advisable to conduct thorough research about the suitability of any home for your needs. Such research should focus on establishing whether all standards of ICF construction and general construction have been met.

Photo: The Enchanted Home

In life, we have a lot of big decisions to make. It includes your educational course, job, marriage and much more. Buying a house can also be considered as one of those. Buying a new house is indeed one of the biggest milestones in someone’s life. Chances are you will only have to buy a house once in your lifetime and you will be living in that house for a very long time.

That is why choosing the best house for you is critical for your long term happiness and comfortability. If you are faced with that decision, you may have mixed feelings since it could be one of the most exciting yet stressful times of your life. You have to be both mentally and financially stable to be able to take that next step and purchase your own house.

But how can you make sure that you are ready? The list below by Pedersens will surely help you decide on what path to take. 

Photo: The Style Saloniste

You Have Positive Cash Flow

Positive cash flow means that your income is always greater than your expenses. You should also be free from any kinds of debts. Even if you think that you can be able to pay your house monthly while having other debts, have you already considered the expenses your new house will incur like utility bills, property tax, homeowner’s insurance, and repair and maintenance expenses?

You’ve Researched Mortgage Options

If you think there is only one way to buy a new house, you are wrong. There are actually plenty of means to get your own property like the 30-years mortgage and special loans for veterans and farmers. If you are able to find the exact fit for you, you are well on your way to getting your new house.

Photo: W Glandscape

Have a Good Credit Score

If you have a good credit score, the financial institution will deem you as a low-risk customer. And it will result in lower mortgage rates. On the other hand, a low credit score often leads to your mortgage being denied. So if you are looking forward to buying a house in the future, gradually increase your credit score.

You Have Saved Enough for the Down Payment

You may be enticed with the idea of low down payment house because you don’t have much savings for bigger down payment. If this is the case, you have to slow things down a bit. Low down payments can only mean higher monthly rates and it is more stressful to deal with. If you can pay 15-25% of the total cost of the house, it will be much better because it will position you to a better financial status in the future.

Steady Job

Although unforeseeable circumstances can really affect your job, you still must have a security of tenure in your work so you are sure that you can back up all the financial outflow of buying a house. The longer you are in your current company, the more likely you’ll keep your job by yourself.

A Rise in Income

When buying a house, you still have to consider your other daily needs. You don’t want your monthly mortgage to be higher than 30% of your total income, do you? Although some allocate 50% of their salary to buy a new house, you should be ready to sacrifice your current lifestyle and be contented to a lean one. The other choice is to look for additional ways to earn money to support your monthly payment and your daily living.

Your City is Truly Your Home

It is always a bad idea to buy a new house in a place you do not really want. You should always be certain that you love the city you are planning to purchase your property to stay there for good. Consider the weather, the culture of the people, and their lifestyle and make sure it will fit yours so you can be comfortable for the rest of your stay there.

You’ve been Renting Long Enough

Many people get too busy in their lives and are already contented to just renting their house. But when you step back and assess all the payments you have made to a property that will never be yours, you can already have been living in a house that you can call yours. So if you are renting long enough, is it already the perfect time to decide to buy your own house?

You Want to Take Advantage of Equity

Unlike cars and machinery, the equity of your own home appreciates over time. To put it simply, the equity of your house can be compared to bank savings because the gap of your debt and the gap of your equity widens over time. You can use this to fund your college expenses, prepare for your retirement, or just have liquid assets when an emergency happens.

You Want to Settle Down

Settling down can be exciting. Why? This can mean that you want to build your own family or you see yourself to be still in your current job for many years to come. Whatever your inspiration to settle down is, it may be the perfect