ICF in Ireland — Insulated Concrete Formwork, Cost, Speed, and When to Choose It
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ICF (insulated concrete formwork) is a wall system where hollow expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks are stacked on site, reinforced with steel, and filled with concrete. The EPS stays in place as permanent insulation on both sides of the concrete core. €180–€240/m² of wall. A 150 m² house takes 3–5 weeks to reach weathertight, faster than blockwork (6–9 weeks) but slower than timber frame (2–4 weeks) or SIPs (2–3 weeks). U-value 0.13–0.20 W/m²K. Airtightness 0.5–1.0 m³/m²·hr at 50 Pa achievable. ICF trades well on poor access sites (delivered as panels, not pallets of block), BER A1 targets (concrete mass and continuous insulation), and tight programmes. Most Irish self-builders who choose ICF do so for speed of weathertight and BER A1 certainty.
TL;DR
ICF (insulated concrete formwork): €180–€240/m² of wall. 3–5 weeks to weathertight on a 150 m² house.
Concrete core with permanent insulation on both sides. U-value 0.13–0.20 W/m²K. Airtightness 0.5–1.0 m³/m²·hr achievable.
Faster to weathertight than blockwork, but slower than timber frame or SIPs. More expensive per m² but reduces labour cost.
When this matters most
You're comparing ICF to other wall systems and need the trade-offs.
When this doesn't apply
You've already chosen a wall system.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ICF cost in Ireland?
€180–€240/m² of wall. For a 150 m² house with ~200 m² of wall: €36,000–€48,000 for the wall system, plus labour. Faster to weathertight than block.
Is ICF better than timber frame?
Trade-off. ICF has thermal mass (concrete), is more robust to impact, and is easier to fix things to long-term. Timber frame is faster to build, lighter, and easier to hit Passive House airtightness. Both reach BER A1.
What is the U-value of an ICF wall?
0.13–0.20 W/m²K depending on the ICF block size and concrete core. A 200 mm ICF block with a 150 mm concrete core typically achieves 0.15.
Sources
Building Regulations 2023, TGD-L (Conservation of fuel and energy — Dwellings). https://www.gov.ie/
Frequently asked questions
How much does ICF cost in Ireland?
€180–€240/m² of wall. For a 150 m² house with ~200 m² of wall: €36,000–€48,000 for the wall system, plus labour. Faster to weathertight than block.
Is ICF better than timber frame?
Trade-off. ICF has thermal mass (concrete), is more robust to impact, and is easier to fix things to long-term. Timber frame is faster to build, lighter, and easier to hit Passive House airtightness. Both reach BER A1.
What is the U-value of an ICF wall?
0.13–0.20 W/m²K depending on the ICF block size and concrete core. A 200 mm ICF block with a 150 mm concrete core typically achieves 0.15.