Through volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates simple, affordable houses with the help of the homeowner families. Habitat houses are sold to the participating families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. These foam blocks are stacked like building blocks, aligned, braced, strengthened with steel rebar and filled with concrete. The forms stay in place after the concrete cures to provide insulation.
Safety is another benefit.
In 1998 a Washington, Iowa, home built with Reward walls withstood a direct hit from a tornado with measured wind speeds of up to 250 mph while neighboring wood frame houses were leveled. And Reward ICF walls achieved an outstanding four-hour fire rating during tests at Omega Point Laboratories in Texas. That means that while wood walls catch fire and collapse in one hour or less, Reward walls can remain standing for up to four hours, allowing ample time for occupants to exit the building. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, for the past 12 years, Reward Wall Systems, Inc. is the leading manufacturer and distributor of insulating concrete forms used in residential and commercial structures. Reward s customers include architects, general contractors, residential contractors and construction supply distributors.