Insulated concrete forms
ICF concrete homes, built and supplied from Tama, Iowa
An ICF home is built with insulated concrete forms: foam forms stacked into walls and filled with steel-reinforced concrete. Van Hamme Construction builds the exterior walls for complete concrete homes, plus the footings, floors, drainage system and stucco finishes, taking the project from initial design to finished product.
Insulated concrete forms
Why build with ICF?
An ICF wall is foam forms filled with concrete. It holds a steady temperature, blocks outside noise, and stands up to Iowa wind. These are the numbers we give our own customers.
R-40Wall insulationvs R-13 for a stick built wall
300 mphWind ratingwalls can withstand winds up to 300 mph
50 to 80%Heating and coolingaverage savings vs stick built
3 to 5%Build costmore than a stick built home, paid back in energy savings
ICF supply
Can I buy ICF blocks or rent bracing?
Yes. We are a builder and a distributor of insulated concrete forms. We have blocks available for sale to contractors and to do-it-yourselfers, and our panel jack bracing system is available to rent when you need it. Brand carried: ARXX [CONFIRM WITH OWNER].
Call 641-484-3880 to check what is in stock and when bracing is free.
Planning
Is ICF right for my plans?
ICF adapts to almost any blueprint, and any exterior finish that goes on a normal home goes on a concrete home. No extra wall insulation is needed. Walls stay a constant temperature and very little sound comes through from outside.
The honest trade-off: an ICF home costs about 3 to 5 percent more than stick built, which the savings on your heating and cooling bills pay back quickly.
ICF on the job
ICF homes we have built
Straight answers
ICF questions, answered
How much more does an ICF home cost than a stick built home?
About 3 to 5 percent more than a traditional stick built house, and the savings on your energy bills pay that difference back quickly.
What R-value do ICF walls have?
Our insulated concrete forms perform at R-40, compared with R-13 for a typical stick built wall. No additional wall insulation is needed.
Will my homeowners insurance be cheaper in an ICF home?
It can be. An ICF home may qualify as a masonry dwelling, which can result in lower insurance. Ask your agent about your specific policy.
How much can I save on heating and cooling?
On average, owners save between 50 and 80 percent on heating and cooling compared with a stick built home, because the concrete core holds a steady temperature.
How do you attach drywall and siding to ICF walls?
Drywall and siding attach to plastic strips molded into the block. The strips are six inches apart and run the full height of the block.
How is the wiring done in a concrete home?
A track is cut into the foam with a special tool, the wire is laid right in the track, and the wall is drywalled over like any other house.
What exterior finishes can go on a concrete home?
Any finish that can be applied to a normal home can be used on a concrete home: siding, stucco, brick or stone.
How strong are ICF walls?
ICF walls can withstand winds up to 300 mph, and very little sound comes through from the outside.
Updated September 2026
Tama County, Iowa
Where do you work?
From our shop in Tama we work across Tama County, including Toledo, Montour, Garwin, Gladbrook, Traer, Dysart, Chelsea, Elberon, Vining, Clutier, Lincoln, and in nearby Marshalltown, Belle Plaine, Grinnell. [CONFIRM WITH OWNER] See the service area
Talk to the crew that does the work.
Bring your plans or just an idea. We will talk through walls, foundation and finish.