Architect & Engineer FAQs

In our Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms, the webs are composed of high-density polypropylene, made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. This plastic is totally inert and emits nothing. Copies of the MSDS sheets for the virgin version of this material are available from either Nudura’s Technical Service Department, or your local distributor.

If the average temperature in a three day period is below 40̊ F or 4.5̊ C then this would be considered to be a cold weather pour. Concrete can be heated and the mixture can be altered as well for this scenario.  Provisions can be made so that the full compressive strength of the concrete can be achieved in these lower temperatures. 

When using the Nudura ICF for a foundation wall, and you have stepped footing, the best possible increment to use is 18” (450mm). As the height of the form unit is 18”, you can rip a standard form unit in half for a 9” (225mm) increment. This is also a favorable increment to step footings at.

Typically in the past people have thought that ICF is only good for foundations, however this is a myth. The truth is if the structure is engineered, you can use Nudura to build up as high as you please. Of course as the building gets taller, the thickness of the wall will increase. The reinforcing steel within the wall may get thicker or spaced closer, or you may simply have to use Nudura as an infill or curtain wall with a post and beam structure. Our prescriptive data will take a residential project up 2 storeys before requiring engineering, but there are many projects on a commercial level that have gone up multiple storeys using the Nudura ICF to form structural walls.

Nudura is Green in a number of ways. The material of the webs is 100% recycled. The material for the foam is 100% recyclable. The EPS foam emits no CFC or HCFC’s or VOC’s. Using NUDURA as opposed to traditional building methods cuts down the amount of wood used, which has become a precious commodity. By minimizing mold growth and giving a more sound proof home, your indoor comfort is increased dramatically. By reducing waste and shipping space required, NUDURA also impacts the environment in a very positive manner. These are just a few of the reasons why Nudura ICF is an environmentally innovative material to use in your buildings.

For more information on Nudura Insulated Concrete Forms green attributes, visit our building green section for more information.

Your plans do not HAVE to be designed to Nudura ideal dimensions, though it would help the construction process go faster if the modular dimensions of the form unit are considered, however Nudura’s forms are flexible in that you can adapt it to an existing ICF design. Should you want to design using Nudura’s most optimal dimensions, ask your local distributor for the Dimension Layout Guidelines.