PolySteel® Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs)

By offering PolySteel products, BMMI is aligning itself with a leader in ICF technology. We are pleased to bring the benefits of PolySteel to bear on the projects we work on – particularly because of PolySteel’s ability to provide increased safety and security to Florida housing.

Strong, Safe Structures

According to American PolySteel, the manufacturer, PolySteel products provide uniquely resistant technology against many threats that plague Florida structures in particular:

Proven Resistance to Hurricanes and other natural threats

  • PolySteel walls are 2 to 4 times stronger than the maximum design wind load required by the Uniform Building Codes
  • PolySteel walls have been independently tested to withstand flying debris driven by a 250 mph wind.

Unparalleled Fire Protection

  • American PolySteel is the first insulating concrete wall system to pass the rigors of a 4-hour fire test without the addition of any wall coverings required to assist in its performance.

Patented Termite-Resistant Technology

  • American PolySteel has licensed the patented termite-resistant technology -- Perform Guard®, from AFM Corporation; becoming the first major ICF block manufacturer in the industry to incorporate this technology into its product.
  • Perform Guard is the only code-recognized method that allows foam plastic insulation to be installed below grade in the heavily infested termite areas of the country.

Mold Resistant

  • Mold requires an organic material, such as wood on which to grow.
  • Since PolySteel forms contain NO organic material, structures that use PolySteel forms are more inhospitable to the formation of mold.

Environmentally-Responsible Structures

Using PolySteel in any structure significantly increases its stature as an earth-friendly and sustainable project.

With more and more home-buyers and builders concerned with protecting the environment and seeking LEED certification for their buildings, using PolySteel makes perfect sense.

According to PolySteel, there are many environmental benefits to its products:

Concrete Construction Minimizes Harm to the Environment

  • Concrete construction directly reduces the use of lumber for building, thereby helping to save the world's forests.
  • The super energy efficiency of PolySteel structures minimizes the amount of fuel burned for heat. Consequently, oil and gas reserves are preserved and the impact on air pollution or global warming is reduced.
  • PolySteel forms are made with expanded polystyrene (EPS) products, which do NOT release harmful CFCs (which have been linked to ozone layer damage) during the manufacturing process.
  • PolySteel forms do not contain HCFC, formaldehyde, asbestos, or fiberglass.

Recyclable Products

  • PolySteel forms are made from recycled products.
  • PolySteel insulating concrete forms produce very little construction waste.
  • Any excess material that does result from construction is 100% recyclable.

LEED Certification for Projects Using PolySteel

  • The minimum number of points needed for LEED certification is 26.
  • Using PolySteel can help achieve up to 20 LEED points depending upon the nature and scope of the construction project.

Energy Efficient Structures

According to American PolySteel, its ICFs provide superior insulation and tighter construction, which help to conserve cooling and heating energy much more effectively than traditional construction methods.

As a result, monthly fuel and utility bills may be significantly lessened and smaller sized heating and cooling units may be installed.
  • PolySteel's website states that "According to research by the Portland Cement Association, houses built with insulating concrete forms (ICFs) require an estimated 32% less energy to cool and 44% less energy to heat than comparable wood-frame houses."

Design Flexibility for Custom Home Building

PolySteel forms offer outstanding design flexibility. No matter what the shape of the design, PolySteel can make it happen.
  • PolySteel insulating concrete forms allow more design freedom than most conventional construction methods including wood, concrete block, tilt-up concrete or steel frame.
  • PolySteel forms can be easily cut and shaped to accommodate designs requiring curved walls, with a radius as tight as 4 feet.

Lite-Deck™

Lite-Deck by PolySteel is an incredibly strong and super-insulated roof and floor system designed to perfectly complement the thermal and structural envelope of the ICF structure.

According to American PolySteel, Lite-Deck has many advantages over poured concrete floor and roof systems:
  • Offers outstanding "quiet"
  • 4-foot wide sections (in addition to 2-foot wide) for faster installation
  • Span greater distances and support heavier loads
  • Cost-efficient (reduced labor and shoring requirements)
  • Clear spans up to 40 feet
  • Increased jobsite safety
  • Ideal solution for insulated tilt-up walls
  • Horizontal to vertical slopes

For more information on PolySteel® visit www.polysteel.com.

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