Building ICF social housing, the benefits

The shift toward modern, sustainable social housing is critical. Especially when replacing aging, problematic stock that often suffers from mould, dampness, and poor insulation, leading to health issues for tenants. ICF construction offers a proven solution, delivering safe, durable, and healthy homes that stand the test of time. Unlike traditional builds, ICF’s superior airtightness and thermal performance, coupled with mechanical ventilation, prevents condensation and mould growth, ensuring better indoor air quality and long-term wellbeing for residents.

Affordability and budget certainty are major concerns for housing associations, and ICF delivers on both fronts. This was demonstrated in the Clonshaugh development, a 36-unit social housing project built using ICF and finished with brick slips. Despite having a build cost comparable to both modern methods of construction (MMC) and traditional blockwork, the real advantage came from speed and early occupancy. With just five ICF installers, the superstructure was completed in just 12 weeks—enabling tenants to move in four months earlier than conventional methods, significantly easing pressure on the local council’s housing list.

Beyond speed and cost, ICF ensures long-term quality with minimal maintenance. The solid concrete structure offers durability, reducing future repair costs for housing providers. Additionally, ICF’s versatility allows seamless integration with high-efficiency heating, cooling, and renewable energy systems—future-proofing homes against rising energy costs. Architecturally, developments like Clonshaugh prove that ICF can be clad in brick slips or other finishes, ensuring social housing blends seamlessly into its surroundings while still benefiting from ICF’s structural and thermal advantages.

The Clonshaugh project stands as a real-world example of how ICF cuts construction time, reduces lifecycle costs, and improves living conditions—making it an ideal choice for social housing that is fast to build, affordable to maintain, and better to live in.

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