Timeline: Ongoing
In Donegal, a region severely impacted by defective concrete blocks containing mica and pyrite, homeowners face difficult choices about how to rebuild their homes safely and affordably. One such project involved the restoration of a private home built 15–18 years ago. The goal was to retain as much of the original structure as possible while delivering a robust, thermally efficient, and future-proofed solution.
Amvic’s in-house technical team provided full design assistance, including:
• U-value calculations
• Condensation risk assessments
• Structural loading analysis
• Detailing of wall junctions and service penetrations
These calculations ensured the rebuild met both regulatory standards and performance expectations, while also supporting the homeowner’s eligibility under the redress scheme.
This Donegal rebuild demonstrates how insulated concrete formwork can offer a low-disruption, high-performance solution for homes affected by defective blocks. By retaining the internal structure and replacing only the damaged exterior leaf, the homeowner avoided temporary relocation and reduced project costs.
• Minimal disruption: Occupants remained in the home throughout the works
• Improved performance: Enhanced thermal and structural resilience
• Fast and efficient: Clean installation with integrated services
• Long-term value: Durable, low-maintenance building envelope
Working closely with structural engineer Noel McGahn of Micah Engineering, Amvic proposed a practical and effective rebuild solution using its Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) system.
Only the damaged outer leaf was removed and the internal blockwork remained untouched.
An additional insulation layer was added up to the window frame to eliminate thermal bridging.
Existing windows were extended outwards by four inches to align with the new wall face, allowing complete insulation continuity.
The footing was extended to accommodate the widerwall build-up.
Existing services were redirected and fully embedded withinthe new ICF structure.
A new ICF outer wall—constructed with reinforced concrete at approximately four times the density of standard masonry—was installed and mechanically tied back to the original inner leaf, which in turn gained added stability from the new structural envelope.
