Due to rising energy costs and increasing environmental concerns, the demand has increased for energy efficient building materials such as insulated concrete forms and structural insulated panels. Energy efficient construction involves building an envelope to keep cool air in during the summer and hot air in during the winter. As with all construction, building an energy efficient envelope begins at the foundation.

An Energy Efficient Foundation

Traditionally foundations are constructed of poured concrete, but concrete is not the most eco-friendly or energy efficient material available. ICFs and Rastra have taken the place of poured concrete in energy efficient constructions

Insulated concrete forms or ICFS are an energy efficient alternative to plywood forms. When the concrete is poured, these foam forms are left in place to add an extra layer of insulation between the home and the ground.

Rastra is constructed of polystyrene bead and concrete block. These lightweight blocks can be moved into place easily to create an insulated foundation.

Radiant Heat is Energy Efficient

Heat rises, and energy efficient construction takes advantage of that fact by using radiant floor heat. When installing a radiant heat floor it is essential that the foundation be well insulated. If not, the heat will escape into the ground before making it into the home.

Energy Efficient Envelope Walls

In order to create an energy envelope, the walls must be well insulated. There is a variety of methods used to create energy efficient walls. Some builders favor newer methods of insulation such structural insulated panels, but some builders have chosen to return to more traditional methods of insulation such as strawbale, adobe, and rammed earth.

Energy Efficient Windows

Even closed windows can be huge energy leaks if they are not properly insulated. When builders are considering what type of windows to install in a home, they consider four factors. A window\’s U-Factor rates the efficiency of a window. The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures how much heat a window will transmit. Visible transmittance measures how much light the window allows into a home. The low emissivity factor determines how much heat the window allows to move in and out. Depending on what side of the home windows will be placed on, builders will look for each of these factors to be high or low.

Energy Efficient Ceilings

The final portion of an energy efficient building is the ceiling. Regardless of is a home is being built in a warm or cold climate, the ceiling must be thoroughly insulated. Builders use the same methods for insulating a ceiling as they do for insulating walls. The purpose of insulating the ceiling is to prevent the loss of heat or cool air from the home.

Building an energy efficient home may cost the builder a little more in upfront costs than a traditional home, but the savings over the life of the home far outweigh the initial expense. Not only are these homes cheaper to heat and cool, building energy efficient homes is one way for builders to do their part for the environment.

Durisol insulated concrete forms make it possible for builders to create green buildings using energy efficient construction materials that are both energy efficient, cost-effective and structurally sound.

Durisol insulated concrete forms make it possible for builders to create green buildings using energy efficient construction materials that are both energy efficient, cost-effective and structurally sound. http://durisolbuild.com/

Author Bio: Durisol insulated concrete forms make it possible for builders to create green buildings using energy efficient construction materials that are both energy efficient, cost-effective and structurally sound.

Category: Real Estate
Keywords: Construction, concrete, insulation, homes, home improvement, commercial, commercial buildings, build