How to build a foam house...let us know if you want one

Beginning steps are to survey and fill the land, then place the concrete forms and install electrical and plumbing conduits.

After wire mat is placed, pour and finish the concrete slab.

Drill rebar where the walls will be placed.

Place the wall panels and cut out doors and window spaces. Place the roof panels as well.

Once the structure is inspected and electrical cut-outs are placed, spray the first layer of cement to bond the wires to the foam panel.

Plastic corners are added next to level and ensure uniform thickness of the stucco. These are placed at all edges and in all windows and doors.

Stucco is placed by hand and finished with a rough texture.

The roof slab is poured after the electrical elements are finished and the structure is fully covered in stucco.

Prime the structure with a cement paint then install windows, doors, and plumbing/electrical fixtures.

Finish the house with a coat of paint and plug into the electrical grid.

Benefits of foam housing:

• A house can be built with fewer workers in fewer days
• Strength stands up to hurricane winds and earthquake tremors
• If engineered correctly, there is very little waste from the project
• Foam panels can be designed to fit any shape or size and lock together easily
• Conduit pathways are burned through the foam, no exact measurements are needed
• If foam is damaged, it is covered by the stucco and does not affect the structural integrity
• Houses are cool in the summer and warm in the winter
• Walls can be finished with the stucco look or can be finished with drywall, wood panelling, siding, etc. to match any style desired.

Cons

• Foam factories are hard to come by in the U.S.
• Foam will not bio-degrade in the soil
• More expensive than building with cinder blocks. However, if built on a large-scale like this project, the method saves money because of faster installation.