Building 365 Days a Year with ICF Walls of the Ozarks: Because Your Home Deserves the Best

September 30, 2024

Building 365 Days a Year with ICF Walls of the Ozarks: Because Your Home Deserves the Best

At ICF Walls of the Ozarks, we pride ourselves on being a construction company that doesn’t take seasons off. We’re committed to building durable, energy-efficient ICF homes and structures 365 days a year. Whether it’s the heat of summer, the crisp chill of autumn, the dead of winter, or the renewal of spring, our team is always working to deliver top-quality, high-performance homes for our clients.

Pouring concrete in an ICF home in Jefferson City, MO

Why Can We Build Year-Round?

The secret to our year-round capability is Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF). ICF construction offers unique advantages that allow us to work through various weather conditions without compromising on quality or safety.

Here’s how we do it:

Weather Resistance: Unlike traditional building materials like wood, which can be significantly impacted by moisture and temperature fluctuations, ICF is made from expanded polystyrene and concrete. This means it resists mold, mildew, and rot, making it a reliable choice in wet or freezing conditions. Additionally, the concrete itself is not affected by moisture from rain or snow in terms of deteriorating its integrity. The only impact is on the cure time, not the long-term durability. Our teams don’t have to stop for rain or snow — the build can keep moving forward no matter the forecast.
Energy Efficiency in the Cold or Heat: ICF homes are naturally energy-efficient, meaning they provide superior insulation in both hot and cold climates. However, while ICF creates a comfortable working environment during colder months, in the heat of summer, it can trap heat so effectively that it becomes warmer inside the four walls than outside. Despite this, our crews are equipped to handle the unique conditions and keep the build progressing.
No Seasonal Shortages or Delays: As Missouri ICF distributors for Nudura, we have direct access to premier materials, allowing us to avoid the seasonal shortages and delays that often plague traditional wood-frame builders. Our other trusted suppliers keep everything in stock, ensuring we always have the materials we need on hand. This means no unexpected delays, and the job stays on track from start to finish.

Why It’s Okay to Pour Concrete in the Cold

One of the most common questions we get when building year-round is: “Can you pour concrete in cold weather?” The answer is yes! With the right preparation and techniques, pouring concrete in cold temperatures is not only possible, but it can also result in a long-lasting, durable foundation.

Here’s how we ensure success when working in colder temperatures:

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) Advantage: One of the significant advantages of using ICF is that the forms themselves provide excellent insulation for the concrete. The expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels act as a natural barrier, keeping the concrete warm and reducing the risk of temperature-related issues. This insulation is especially helpful in cold weather, as it keeps the curing environment stable, even in freezing conditions.
Cold Weather Best Practices: We follow the best practices set out by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) for cold weather concreting. This includes maintaining specific temperature ranges, adjusting water-to-cement ratios, and using heated water if necessary. These methods ensure that the concrete cures properly and achieves its maximum strength.

By following these techniques, we ensure that every pour—whether in summer heat or winter cold—results in the superior quality and durability that our clients expect.

Vibrating concrete in an ICF concrete walls in any weather conditions, in Ozark, MO

Building Homes for Generations to Come

At ICF Walls of the Ozarks, we believe in creating homes that are built to last. Our ICF homes aren’t just for today — they’re designed to stand strong for generations to come. Building year-round is just another way we commit to delivering on that promise. Whether you need a new home or a commercial building, we’re ready to build whenever you are.

Leave the Legacy of a Premier Home

Your home should work as hard for you as you do for it! That’s why we use superior building materials like ICF to ensure that what we create stands the test of time. So if you’re ready to start your project, we’re ready to get to work — rain, shine, or snow.