Developers: Stop Building Bonfires Waiting to Happen
Why It’s Time Developers Ditch Wood for ICCF in Apartment Construction
Walk through almost any growing American city, and you’ll see it: giant skeletons of wood-framed apartment buildings stretching across city blocks. These “sticks and twigs” structures are the go-to for multifamily housing developments—but they are also a growing liability. They’re not just construction sites. They’re bonfires waiting to happen.
Just ask Phoenix.
Four or five years ago, a near-finished wood-frame apartment complex in the city was burned to the ground—allegedly set ablaze during unrest by rioters. The structure, worth millions, was reduced to ashes in a single night. The only thing left standing were the several noncombustible CMU elevator shafts. The risk wasn’t hypothetical. It was reality. To add insult to injury, it was rebuilt with wood.
And yet, here we are—still building homes for hundreds of families out of materials that are flammable, weak, noisy, and outdated.
There Is a Better Way: ICCF with The Perfect Block™
Developers, builders, city planners: it’s time to lead the charge toward safer, smarter construction. Enter Insulated Composite Concrete Forms (ICCF)—specifically The Perfect Block™ system.
Unlike traditional wood framing, ICCF walls are:
- Non-combustible
- Sound-dampening
- Pest and mold resistant
- Extremely energy-efficient
- Stronger and more durable than wood, steel, or even CMU block in many conditions
They’re made from 100% recycled EPS foam mixed with cement and proprietary additives—delivering unmatched fire safety, storm resistance, and structural longevity.
Build Faster. Build Safer. Save Money.
Let’s get practical.
Developers need systems that are cost-effective, insurance-friendly, and code-compliant. ICCF checks every box:
- Blocks stack like Lego®—no special crew needed
- No bracing required—fewer delays and fewer failure points
- High R-values—reduce long-term energy costs for tenants and owners alike
- Massive sound attenuation—create comfortable, quiet living environments
Insurance Companies Prefer Non-Combustible Materials
Here’s where the savings really start to show.
Wood-frame buildings under construction are among the highest-risk properties on the insurance market. Every policy reflects that. But when you use ICCF, the game changes.
- Lower builder’s risk insurance during construction
- Lower ongoing property insurance once occupied
- Lower liability exposure from structural failures, fire, or mold
These savings add up—fast.
Sell Peace of Mind and Performance
Today’s renters want more than just a place to crash. They want security, safety, quiet, and quality. With ICCF, you’re building apartment units that stand up to fire, storms, time—and the competition.
No more paper-thin walls where tenants hear every footstep. No more catastrophic loss if one unit catches fire. No more explaining away high insurance costs or structural repairs to investors.
It’s Time to Lead
Developers, the future of multifamily construction doesn’t lie in “cheap” wood—it lies in safe, affordable, resilient innovation. You can be the one to shift the paradigm in your city. Your next project doesn’t have to be just another wooden firetrap.
Build better. Build safer. Build with ICCF and The Perfect Block™.
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