ICF or 2x6 exterior walls?

[jw33]

I know not a lot of people have experience with ICF so far, but there a few GC who lurk around in here so I thought I'd ask anyways..... Which would you prefer and why? Cost? Function?

[Sgt Beavis]

ICF is as close to tornado resistant as you can get. Get a metal framed roof with it and you could survive a direct hit from an F1. The link below shows that an ICF house can take a 103MPH hit from a 2x4 wood stud. The exterior cosmetics of the an ICF wall would be damaged but the reinforced concrete didn't even have a crack. It would likely survive much more powerful hits. Add a safe room and you'd probably walk away from an F5.

http://www.forms.org/index.php?act=windresistance

A 2x6 wall will never be able to do that. Even with a brick veneer (which provides nearly no protection) you're toast.

This site provides tons of info on ICF. Frankly I'm planning to have my house built this way next time. I've been looking into it for quite some time.
http://www.forms.org/index.php

Other benefits over 2x6 stick construction:

http://www.forms.org/index.php?act=benefits