Maybe it's the wide variety of weather experienced across Canada -- everything from cold winters to hot summers to lots of rain -- that inspired their development, but whatever the reason, Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) have more than proven themselves in their country of "birth." The April 2000 publication of Permanent Buildings & Foundations (pg. 16 & 18) outlines how a Canadian was the first to make a patent application for ICFs. Werner Gregori submitted the patent on March 22, 1966 for an expanded polystyrene foam form. He successfully filed his first U.S. patent application on October 24, 1968. His expanded polystyrene form was called, appropriately enough, "Foam Form." Gregori later secured patents in several European countries, and many products that exist today in North America have European origins.

Over the past 30 years sales of ICFs have been growing steadily as their popularity as an alternative building system increases. The challenge has been, and continues to be, to convince an industry not known for readily accepting change to try something different i.e., the ICF.

The benefits of ICF homes, however, are indisputable. Properly built ICF homes have proven to be upwards of 30% more energy efficient than those built with conventional construction methods. They are also stronger, quieter, keep household temperatures more consistent, maintain healthy interior airflow, and aid the environment by producing recyclable product that does not contribute to deforestation.

The variations and styles of ICFs have been modified over the years, with manufacturers incorporating the latest technology to improve their designs. To date there is estimated to be anywhere between 25 and 40 ICF manufacturers across North America.