The system behind every Nua Living home
ICF construction for garden homes in Ireland
Insulated Concrete Formwork is how we build Nua Living garden homes: a reinforced concrete core, poured on your site, wrapped in continuous insulation on both sides.
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FIG. 1 — ICF WALL CONCEPT, NOT A CONSTRUCTION DETAIL
The wall section that does the work
A concrete core with insulation on both sides.
Nua Living homes use Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) — poured and finished on your own site by Primestructures. Two layers of insulation sandwich a reinforced concrete core. The drawing explains the arrangement; your project specification confirms the actual system and detailing.
- Built to full residential standardEvery garden home is a new dwelling, so it goes through full building control — a Commencement Notice on BCMS, certifiers and a completion certificate — like any new house, not a lighter "garden building" spec.
- Designed to BER A0Every new Irish home, ICF or timber frame, must meet the same nZEB standard under Part L, including walls of 0.18 W/m²K or better and an airtightness test. Nua Living homes go further: they are designed to A0, the top of SEAI’s scale since 24 May 2026. A0 is a design target, not a certificate: the Department’s guidance says a BER is not legally required for a standalone building under 50 m². We can arrange a BER assessment if you want one.
- A specification for your projectYour written quote confirms the layout, wall system, finishes and site costs. Ask for the insulation, ventilation and airtightness details for the home you are considering.
From wall system to your home
What to confirm in your ICF quote
Start with the space you need. Compare our one- and two-bedroom granny flats, then use the concept floor plans to discuss the layout. The wall diagram explains ICF; it is not the construction specification for your site.
What your home price covers
Included in the home price
- Custom design and drawings for your site.
- The on-site ICF structural build by Primestructures' own crew.
- Full project management. You deal with Nua Living throughout: one point of contact from your first call to handover.
Quoted separately for your site
- Site works and foundation requirements.
- Connections to services.
- Professional fees.
These costs are assessed after your free site visit, so the home price is not the total project budget.
Agree before work starts
Your written quote confirms the layout, finishes, specification and site costs. Check what is included before committing to the build.
The 5–10 days build time is the on-site structural build once foundations are ready. Design, planning, connections and finishing add time; it is not a move-in deadline.
See the steps from site visit to handover and who builds your Nua Living home.
Before committing, ask for the wall-system specification, finishes, payment stages, warranty scope and full programme in writing. Borrowing decisions are made by your lender; our finance guide explains the questions to ask.
Compare the complete project
How ICF compares
Compare scope and specification as well as the headline price. The construction method alone does not establish energy performance, planning eligibility or lender acceptance.
| Feature | Nua Living (ICF) | Timber / steel modular | Traditional blockwork |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | ICF: concrete poured between permanent layers of insulation on your site | Ask how the frame, insulation and site assembly are specified | Ask for the wall build-up and construction specification |
| Energy and comfort | Ask for the project insulation, ventilation and airtightness specification | Compare the same specification and design targets | Compare the same specification and design targets |
| Programme | 5–10 days for the structural build once foundations are ready; other stages add time | Request the complete programme, including site preparation and finishing | Request the complete programme, including site preparation and finishing |
| Home price | From €93,900 + VAT (€106,577 incl. 13.5% VAT) for 33 m²; site works, connections and professional fees are extra | Request a written price with VAT, inclusions and exclusions | Request a written price with VAT, inclusions and exclusions |
See it priced for your garden
Every Nua Living home is custom designed and fixed-price. Check your planning position and get honest numbers for your site.
Read more: ICF against timber frame
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is ICF construction?+
Insulated Concrete Formwork uses hollow insulated blocks that lock together as formwork, are reinforced with steel rebar, and are then filled with poured concrete. The insulation stays in place around the concrete core. Ask for the actual wall-system specification and detailing for your project.
Is ICF better than timber frame?+
Compare the specification and full project scope rather than the material alone. Nua Living uses a reinforced concrete core with permanent insulation, built on your site. Ask each provider about insulation, ventilation, airtightness, finishes, site works and the full programme. The construction method alone does not confirm energy performance or lender acceptance.
How energy efficient is an ICF home?+
Every new Irish home, ICF or timber frame, must meet the same nZEB standard under Part L (TGD L 2022), including walls of 0.18 W/m²K or better and an airtightness test, so against a well-built timber-frame home the difference is modest and depends on design. ICF adds continuous insulation on both sides of a concrete core: NSAI-certified ICF wall systems reach about 0.10–0.25 W/m²K depending on insulation thickness. A peer-reviewed UK study (Mantesi et al., Energy and Buildings, 2019) found the concrete core cut wall heat loss compared with a lightweight wall with the same insulation, and a controlled US field test (NAHB Research Center for HUD, 1999) found ICF homes used about a fifth less heating energy than a timber twin, mainly because their walls were better insulated. Nua Living homes are designed to BER A0 on SEAI’s new scale, as a design target; a BER is not legally required for a standalone building under 50 m², and we can arrange a BER assessment on request.
How fast is an ICF build?+
The on-site structural build takes 5–10 days once foundations are ready. Design, planning, site preparation, connections and finishing add time. Your project programme needs to cover all stages; the structural build time is not a move-in deadline.
Energy sources
- TGD L – Dwellings 2022 (Dept of Housing)
- NSAI Agrément Certificate 07/0277 — Amvic ICF (2026)
- NSAI Agrément Certificate 08/0310 — Thermohouse ICF (2023)
- Mantesi et al., Energy and Buildings 188–189 (2019)
- NAHB Research Center for US HUD, ICF Comparative Thermal Performance (1999)
- Ireland's Building Energy Ratings (gov.ie, 2026)
- SEAI BER Advertising Guidelines, Issue 3 (July 2026)
*Design target, not a certificate: a BER is not legally required for a standalone building under 50 m², and we can arrange a BER assessment on request. A0 = 42 kWh/m²/yr or less primary energy plus SEAI zero-emission criteria (scale in force from 24 May 2026).