Am looking at ICF forms by Buildblock (www.buildblock.com)
Anyone here used these? What did you think of them?
Am looking at ICF forms by Buildblock (www.buildblock.com)
Anyone here used these? What did you think of them?
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Replies
I prefer them over the AARX blocks. Last time I checked, they were cheaper, too.
Nice blocks.
any advantages/disadvantages that you saw? Not familiar with the aarx
The Buildblocks have a great corner block design that allows for a stronger corner, and they are reversible, so no counting left and right corners.
They have a measuring grid embossed on them for easier cutting.
They interlock well when stacked. Can't really think of any disadvantages that are inherent to the particular brand.
AARX was called 'BlueBlock' and was one of the first large forms available in my area when I built my first ICF home. The BuildBlock is an improvement in design, I think. And again, they were cheaper the last time I checked, but that might not be the case any longer, or in your particular area.
I like the Builderblocks better than Aaarx too. AArx was all I used for years, but my suppliers decided to quit carrying them so I was forced to look around. the BB is what I used in that thread, Jack that house John Henry
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I like the PolySteel blocks with the borate insect proofing blended into the foam. I can't imagine using an ICF that isn't treated with borate to keep bugs out.
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"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
So what forms did you decide on?
For the most part all the forms do the same kinda thing - provide a form for concrete.What I don't like about the BuildBlock ICF is the structure of the tie and the waffle grid to connect the block. All those little fingers protruding in between the tie can cause restriction of the flow of concrete. Also the waffle grid to connect the ties can take more time to put together than other block. If they get slightly damaged or not lined up exactly right they won't go together in a timely or efficient manner. Make sure the form is easy to use, a quality product, and have a place where you can easily rent the bracing you will need to plumb and stabilized the forms during the pour.I work with ICFs for a living if you need someone to bounce any questions off of let me know.
energy miser,
Those nylon grids are snap in's for the rebar..Saving you the hassle of tying the rebar into the form.. they don't interlock with the block above or below. The little foam grids on the top and bottom do the interlocking. To me the slowest bit was foaming the seam between the blocks but if I did it before I put the rebar in it went reasonably quickly..
I haven't decided yet, but the buildblocks are available locally and have someone who likes them and is willing to help on one as I have not used ICF forms before.
They look very much like the reward forms I used and I've gotta say they went together so neat and so well that I didn't have any fear of blowouts. I simply watched the video and did what they showed me and things went together beautifully.
I didn't watch the bracing/scaffolding system they used but care and attention to that is worthy of your time..
I used Polysteel on my basement, was very pleased with that product. The corners do look like a superior design in the buildclock forms although they seem to have less concrete due to that design. The corner webbing in the Polysteel is pretty phony compared with the heft, and guage of the steel otherwise used in the forms.
I think they(Polysteel) need to work on their corner forms because they are a real shortcoming to the entire system. The dimensions are really strange compared to the straight 2' x 4' staright blocks
The double tongue and groove of the Polysteel looks like It is easier to get an exact dimension without dealing with the alternating rows of the buildblock. Those look a little fragile based on how our forming went.
The steel is a bit of a headache to remove after the concrete hardens if you need to get down to bare concrete for any reason. Stainless steel screws for exterior finish or detail will not drill the Polysteel web which I learned the hard way.
That is my limited experience, but I would probably use Polysteel next time.