Build faster, combat climate change and save energy with Free Form
FREE FORM Factory Limited, manufacturers of Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) products, has been in the business of providing durable home décor and construction alternatives to Jamaicans, using foam. Included in their collection of alternative products is the Insulated Concrete Panel Building System, which produces insulated buildings that are identical to regular concrete structures when complete.
The innovative building system is based around the use of concrete panels or Insulated Structural Panels, which are encased in steel – with one and a half inches of concrete applied to both sides. The system allows for the reduction in temperatures inside the house by 10 to 15 degrees.
Where it may not replace the need for the use of airconditioning units, it empowers homeowners to manage their consumption of energy. The foam element in the overall structure acts as a barrier as it traps the cool air in the relevant room for longer intervals, even after the A/C has been switched off, while it prevents excessive heat from outside the structure from entering.
In addition to insulation, this construction method allows homeowners to build with versatile designs and enjoy various features of the EPS foam, including shorter construction times, fire resistance, earthquake resistance and the ability to withstand hurricane-force winds.
Free Form also offers architectural services for building plans, assisting landowners with moving towards the construction process in short order.
Having built a variety of houses and other structures around the island, the company is confident that this method of building is the way of the future for Jamaica, especially amid rising temperatures.