Questions on how to set insulated concrete forms (ICF) as a stem wall on top of footer level?

Is it worth wise to build a house using ICF's?

Will it be more expensive?

 

Are you talking about the walls from Superior wall? I just had a house built this past summer with that foundation, it is awesome. The guys that put the basement together basically did it in a day. The next day they started framing. It is a controlled environment, i had the studding already installed so all I have to do now is put up the drywall and the basement is basically finished.

If you want send me a PM with your email and I can send a bunch of pictures to you. I tried to post a couple but the files are to big, I am not setup on one of those picture host sites yet.

Toyman

 

This wasn't around when I was in the business.
It looks like a great system depeending on where one lives.

 

Google Insulated concrete forms or ICF.

 

From what I can tell, they give you a higher R-value, and are faster to install than traditional concrete forms. No idea on the cost. A person I work with just had a house built with those. He seemed pretty pleased with it.

http://www.logixicf.com/ Is one supplier in Canada.

 

I thought on using the Insulated Concrete Forms (aka ICF) on the stem wall of the foundation. It seemed easier on setting these forms then trying to set up the wooden or metal forms for stem wall.

I haven't left out the possibilty of using them for the wall of the house too.

I like the insulated value (R-Value) of the ICF's as this will help the radiant heating of my home.

The ICF's I have researched are the Reward Wall system and Polysteel.
It seems their are more companies carrying different ICF systems (such as Logix) which I haven't heard of till now, thanks for the link, very informative.

What are the rates for a cubic yard of concrete, in my area it going for $135.00.

 

I've never participated in forming with ICF but have pumped a few residential and Commecial ICF jobs... very time consuming pours, poured in 2-3 ft lifts. If the job requires to be pumped that is another cost to consider, The 40 Meter Boom pump I run rents out @ $ 220 per hour, usually the pump is on site for 1\2 to full day, some jobs multiple pours depending on height of wall.

Like I say never constructed ICF or Dura form. but from this pump operators stand point that ICF form seems to be alot more labour intensive than the Dura form. ICF has a wack of re-bar in it . and a special mix design with "super P " Plasticizer for flowability and also Pea Gravel for flowability around the steel, where dura form just uses 3\4 aggregate 15 OBC no special mix design.

ICF is more cost effective for efficiency reasons.. but not sure whether or not it will equal out the construction cost in the long run , I know this much the labour and mix designs of the ICF is a lot more than conventional Dura Form Concrete forming.

A meter of 15 obc concrete ( standard wall mix ) here in SW Ontario will run ya about $ 120. ICF mix with super P around $ 160 a meter.

 

Hey another concrete guy Welcome to the site .

Like I said before ' Locale ' makes difference as well.

 

I am going to be building a new home next year and I am going to do Icf forms, I will be building slab on grade with radient floor heat as well. All the sites I have been to say you could expect "R" values around R50 as with regular stick framing you will only achieve R21, so the cost difference will be recouped in 4-5 years in your heating and cooling costs. I can't wait

 

Have you considered a heated floor with Hot water ?

We did one at my sisters 3600 sq ft and she loves it.

Has Saved huge $$$$ on furnace heat in the basement.

 

Yes, thats the only way to go. I put an addition on our house 3 years ago and did hot water radient floor heat, man is it ever nice, forget the forced air furnace. Our new house is going to be 3000 sq ft and I think I may even put it in the garage (4 bay of course)

 

CretePumper, welcome to FTE .

I alson plan on the radiant heat with water, with the maintenance of draining the water on the maintenance schedule.

What width of ICF's is standard for a stem wall. They sell the 6" and 8" widths.
I also liked the R-value.
A buddy of mine built his whole house with ICF and he said the house is very quite.
He also liked how thick the walls looked.

DuraForm is the wall minus the foam insulation and would include extra foam insulation?

I was planning on doing the installation myself with some labourers.
The price of Rebar had risen but has dropped, which makes ICF's and stick building affordable.
The business (owner) said he would go out one day to help lay out these forms, or if I had any questions along the way. I reaffirmed this with my buddy and he also mentioned he was very helpful when he built his house.

mblayton, what brand of ICF will you be using?

 

Those (HRH) Hydronic Radient Heat sytems are an excellent choice for new housing,additions and even some basement retrofits with sub flooring when installed properly. Each Loop should be within 300'ft of manifold, 150'Ft on supply side of loop and 150'Ft on the return side total loop = 300' ft to retain heat. Some systems can get a little expensive depending on the number of zones used in the system and the heating load.

Using a HRH system as a primary source of heat has it's drawbacks, the main issue I have with HRH as primary heat is no duct work or furnace to install AC system. There are alternative ways to get AC , Ductless mini split system, Air handler system or the good ole energy sow's the "Window Shaker" which are anything but efficient in comparison to a balanced closed loop duct design.

Me Myself , if I were to spend the money building a house with ICF I would install a HRH sytem forsure. I would also install a Forced air furnace aswell to run along side the HRH sytem for a few reasons:

1- cuts down cost of HRH system install
2- Accomodates a Split Air Conditioning Sytem
3- Can install HRV ( Heat Recovery Ventilator ) Sytem to run along with Furnace
4- Air Movement

I installed these systems when they first come on the market KITEC was one of the first systems available. I'm a certified HRH Installer and I would definately install this system in a new house.

Happy New Year All !

 

So far I am leaning towards Amvic you can see them at www.amvicsystems.com

 

Thanks all for the warm welcome to the site,

Just found this site by chance, Great site, and friendly folks my kinda place !

Tip for ICF : Brace , Brace and more braces you'll need em' oh and don't vibrate in the corners you will get a blow out