INSULATED CONCRETE STRUCTURES BECOME A REALITY

The typical reaction to Lite-Form's insulating concrete forms? "Hey, why didn't I think of that?" The idea looks relatively simple, but the impact to the building industry has been impressive.

Lite-Form is a unique type of concrete form which uses 2" thick rigid insulation and a variety of patented plastic spacers (forming ties). The insulation and spacers are assembled to create concrete forms in a variety of shapes for cast-in-place construction.

Unlike typical concrete forms, these forms are left in place after the concrete has been inserted. This automatically gives the structures an insulating value of R-20, eliminating the cost of removing the forms and adding insulation, later. Because of its potential to save energy, Lite-Form won the U.S. Department of Energy's Award for Energy Innovation in 1990. In addition, Lite-Form was chosen as

the basement/foundation for the National Association of Home Builders 1992 "Resource Conservation" Home in Maryland.

The rigid insulation forms are not only energy-efficient, they are light weight. In fact, the forms are 1/1 Oth of the weight of typical wooden or metal forms. This reduces labor time and increases project safety. Installing drywall, plumbing, siding or electrical lines is simplified, as well.

Concrete can be poured year-round, without regard to outside temperatures. Proper curing of the concrete is assured due to the protection offered by the insulating form walls.

In 1992, Lite-Form has been used to install 6 million square feet of wall in North America. That volume is expected to double in 1993. It has been used for residential and commercial construction as well as retaining walls, sound barriers and basically any project where the strength of poured concrete is in demand.

Custom wall shapes (angles, ledges and curves) normally require costly and time-consuming construction. Lite-Form has developed special forming techniques that greatly reduce the time and cost. Concrete walls from 4" to 24" thick can be assembled to virtually any height. Since Lite-Form results in a full, monolithic concrete structure, entire concrete buildings are becoming a cost-effective reality.

The Lite-form technique was invented and patented in Sioux City, Iowa. During the last few years, Lite-Form outlets have sprung up throughout North America. Even southern builders who do not rely heavily on insulation, appreciate the time-savings and light weight of this new construction technique.