the Build It Education House has been constructed using ICF blocks from Nudura (
www.nudura.co.uk). The walls and internal blockwork went up in just a few days. For more about this project go to
www.self-build.co.uk/ ourhouse
Basements are a great way of increasing living space in new build homes, especially where options for going up or out above ground are limited. We’ve been building below ground for centuries, so there’s nothing new with the concept, but the potential problems with subterranean rooms, particularly water ingress, have always been with us.
What has changed is the choice of materials with which to construct a basement from. Of these, insulated concrete formwork (ICF) is the new kid on the block and has rapidly become a popular option for self builders − especially underground. So what is this product and why does it work so well for subterranean storeys?