Waterfront homes are one of the most sought after properties in the country. Unfortunately, homes on the water face weather conditions and a climate that can be destructive to the home.

Severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and storm surges are known to cause structural damage and destruction beyond repair. Furthermore, the humidity and wind that accompany the waterside lifestyle can also cause damage to the exterior and interior structure of the home.

For these reasons, it has become essential to use materials that can withstand the worst conditions possible in order keep your family safe inside. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) are one solution that are able to stand up to nature’s unpredictable behavior and regulate the climate of your home.

Fortunately, choosing an ICF structure doesn’t mean you will have to sacrifice your home’s beauty. Here are 8 homes that were exceptionally built with the safety of ICF and aesthetics in mind:

1. Prince Edward Island

Situated on the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, this 2,500-square foot ranch-style home was built in 2010 along the Clyde River. High winds and rainfall from tropical storms and hurricanes are not uncommon in the area.

Because it’s stronger than wood and steel, the ICF foundation and main structure is an excellent solution for a home located on the waterfront such as this. ICF homes are built to withstand severe weather storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes, which makes it a great choice for this foundation.

2. Laguna Beach

This California-Spanish-style home resides in Laguna Beach, California. The climate is rather mild and precipitation levels are quite low in this area.

However, Laguna Beach’s proximity to the water and history of Green Building architecture gave contractors and designers the opportunity to install ICF as the main structure of the home. Installation took only 14 days and cut approximately 3- 4 weeks off of the timeline.

This 1,870-square foot adobe-style residential property was awarded ICF Builder Award 2011 in the Small Residential category. It won the award for its functionality and innovation, while upholding the unique design appeal of the Laguna Beach area.

3. Country Waterford

The view isn’t the only awe-inspiring aspect of this property. Sitting on the coast of County Waterford in the Southeast region of Ireland, the home is framed with insulated concrete forms that provide energy-saving benefits all year long.

This inverted two-story residence is structured to provide a minimal rate of heat-loss, taking the high thermal resistance of the ICF into account. The builder chose to insulate the home with ICF to create an air-tight system that would combat against the cold-weathered climate without sacrificing any of the aesthetic value.

4. Dewey Beach

This stunning oceanfront home in Dewey Beach, Delaware held its own against Hurricane Sandy’s strong rain and wind gusts.

Framed with ICF, the residence has high-wind resistance, impact resistance to withstand flying debris, and seismic resistance because of the steel reinforcements and concrete in the ICF.

In addition to the structural and protection benefits, insurance costs can be significantly lowered when sustainable and energy-efficient ICF materials are used in construction.

5. Sturgeon Lake

Sturgeon Lake in Minnesota is home to this 6,200-square foot, custom-built residence. Structured with ICF. The home is resistant to any flooding that may occur from rising water and will protect against any storms that occur during the lifetime of the home. ICF’s also don’t promote mold or mildew growth after flooding, which saves maintenance and repair costs after a storm.

Without sacrificing curb appeal, builders were able to incorporate ICF into the design to give future owners the peace of mind and other benefits that this framework provides.

6. Tom's River, New Jersey

When Hurricane Sandy made her mark, it became evident that strong buildings are a must at the Jersey Shore. ICF wall technology in this home protect against winds up to 250 miles per hour with its steel reinforced concrete walls.

Sitting right on the coast, high winds and flying debris are a common threat during the summer months. Designer/builder John J. Chando Jr. Inc. took these risks into account and chose a solution that would deliver the highest level of protection and the homeowners a lot less to worry about.

7. Florida Gulf

While the beauty of this home is evident, what lies within this bright yellow coastal home is what really makes it special, insulated concrete forms.

With 110 feet of waterfront on this property along the Florida Gulf, energy and safety were key in construction. With the use of ICF, energy costs and insurance rates can be significantly reduced along with many other benefits.

8. Omaha, NE

This beautiful walkout ranch-style property sits on a lakefront lot in Omaha, Nebraska. The builder/owner wanted to create a home environment that was quiet and that would reduce energy costs of heating and cooling.

It was important that the home be storm-resistant to the tornadoes that are common in the area. Fox Blocks corbel ledge blocks were used in the construction of the home’s interior and exterior walls to provide maximal support. ICF can also be used in the construction of FEMA-approved safe rooms, ensuring occupant safety.