Many people are telling their contractor to build their basement, and even the upstairs walls, with insulating concrete forms (ICF), which exceed R-values recommended by the Manitoba Building Code.

If the surface of the ICF or fastening points are uneven, strapping the surface beforehand may help prevent uneven drywall seams, which can make taping the wall more difficult.

ICF construction combines a concrete core surrounded by expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam in a wall system that reduces sound transmission.