Originally posted in Bison Tracks Go Green There’s some debate about whether ICF construction should be considered a “green” way to build, as ICF blocks are made of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), which is initially made from fossil fuels and is not biodegradable. Regardless of whether or not ICF construction is “green enough,” it is still […]
Continue readingSustainable Alternatives to Concrete
As builders of ICF homes, we at ORC will always be one of the first to praise the benefits of concrete as a primary building material. It’s superior in many ways when compared to its more mainstream counterparts, from its resilience against natural disasters and pests, to its impressive lifespan of 30-100 years. Its highly […]
Continue readingCold Comforts: A Look At Radiant Heating
First Published in Bison Tracks v.1 Consider the possibility of heating your home and your floor while you design your new dream home. Radiant heating is our favorite heating system here at Open Range, not only because it pairs well with the insulative properties of ICF, but because a radiant heated floor means there’s little […]
Continue reading
Construction With Mushrooms?
Imagine a home grown from mycelium. Header Photo by Pixabay.
Continue reading
The Health Benefits of ICF & Energy Efficient Homes
As we’ve discussed in our previous articles and blog posts, when a home is built to be energy efficient, whether that be with ICF, or another superior building method, its carbon footprint is typically less than that of an average home, and it can help to save households on their utility bills because of the […]
Continue readingBuilding Beyond the Home: Human-Centric Environments
If you live in the United States, you’re likely familiar with the following picture: a sprawling suburban development populated by single-family homes and far from any grocery store, let alone a school or gas station. If not this, then likely the four or even eight-lane stretches of highway standing between one store and another, or […]
Continue readingEco-Architecture From Around the World
As we’ve mentioned in previous articles, sustainability often means something different from person to person, and a sustainable lifestyle that works for one may not work for another. The same is true for houses if the many different build methods and standards around the world alone are anything to go by. In some countries, sustainability […]
Continue readingWHAT’S NEW FOR 2022?
We’re looking forward to another great year and we are optimistic that the construction industry will see more new homes and businesses using ICFs. For High Performance Structures, we continue to assist do-it-yourself home builders with their ICF foundations. Our project in Canon City has used our expertise in radiant heating and LiteDeck flooring systems. […]
Continue reading
Innovative, Touch-Free Fixtures
Whether you’re worried about flu season or its simply a matter of convenience, installing touch-free fixtures in your home or office is a great wat to help promote a healthier living environment. Here we have a few of our favorite examples of hands-free technology. Touch-Free wash bar This multifunction fixture provides easy-to-identify icons that will […]
Continue reading
Fixtures & Finishes
Originally posted in our November 2020 newsletter Choosing the fixtures in your home is one of the last steps in the design process and should be chosen in conjunction with your home’s finishes. While finishes include countertops, paint colors, flooring, and drywall types (i.e. anything that makes your home look “finished”), fixtures are hardware that […]
Continue reading