There are many benefits of ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms). Today we’re going to talk about how ICF blocks will give you a more sound-resistant home.
Advantages of ICF #6: A Sound-Resistant Home
You don’t want to be bothered by the sound of footsteps above or below you, especially when you are trying to sleep!
An ICF build will help you sleep better at night.
Here are some reasons why building a sound-resistant ICF home can be beneficial:
- If you have a family and you want to keep the noise level to a minimum (talking, playing, laughing, watching tv, etc.) in your home.
- If you would like to have separate areas of your home that genuinely feel separate (including sound).
- If you would like to keep your home quieter by preventing noise from outside your home from being as audible (e.g. trains, planes and automobiles).
ICF Walls vs. Wood-framed walls
ICF walls have a sound rating of STC 56 compared to a wood-framed rating of STC 36.
What does an STC rating mean?
Glad you asked! The STC rating (Sound Transmission Class) tells you how much sound a material can block. So an ICF block can prevent sound at a rating of 56 (60 is considered excellent), whereas a wood-framed wall can only block sound at a rating of 36 (20 is considered very poor).
How do ICF walls block sound?
ICF walls provide a high level of sound resistance due to their styrofoam and concrete makeup. The insulation dampens sound waves and prevents the vibration from transferring to the material they contact and into your home. The density of concrete also provides a solid mass that is extremely effective in blocking sound.
One of the major complaints of living in duplexes, town homes or hotels is that you can hear the people beside, above or below you. Because ICF walls provide such a high STC rating, they provide a great wall system for these types of homes.
Feeling frustrated with paper-thin walls?
How frustrating is it when you want to sit down and relax in the quietness of your own home and you can hear the tv, music or people moving around or yelling on the other side of the wall. With ICF divider walls, this will no longer be a problem!
Building with ICF up to the roof is also highly beneficial when building beside major highways or train tracks. The sound transfer from traffic or trains is significantly minimized in an ICF home. When you walk inside an ICF home and the door closes behind you, the outside noise is left behind. This leaves you to enjoy the peace and quiet of your ICF home.