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My wife and I are considering building a small cabin with the Polysteel system of ICF’s. The cabin is very simple: approx. 18′ x 30′, one story with a loft, 12/12 roof pitch, one exterior door opening, and eight windows of various sizes. We would use the ICF forms for all 4 walls plus the gable ends. It will be built on a slab. We plan to build it ourselves after taking the class offered by Polysteel. We built our previous wood framed house that was destroyed by a landslide.
I’ve studied the installation manual and I feel confident we can do this, with the local distributors help. What pitfalls are there that we should look out for? Has anyone worked with Polysteel? Any problems?
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Lynn: send me an e-mail address that works and I will tell you war stories that will curl your hair. I used Polysteel, and loved them, but there are pitfalls that you can avoid. be glad to give you the perspective of another amateur builder.
Don Reinhard
*Sounds like an Irish stone cottage.Be sure it is all stiched together well and braced off. Use spray foam to seal any loose joints bewfore pouring. Have some scraps of plywood and drywall screws handy in case of a blowout. Don't pour too fast or lift too high. Study the manuals and then talk/ask questions of the factory rep, then do what they say.
*If you follow manufacturer's specs you will be fine. As Piffin pointed out, pouring your concrete in the specified lifts (I think four feet pour hour)is critical...but that is the case for pouring in any concrete form. Also, don't overvibrate, remember to order an extra yard or so for the pump and be careful. Take a look at the wrecked truck over on the Gallery page. Don't get yourself in a position where that truck or pump hose can ruin your day or worse. ICF's are worth it. I have poured a 28'wall with regular plywood forms that held just fine. Just don't skimp on that bracing. Good luck.
Lynn,
Have you looked at Amvic blocks? They're a straightwall block with ties 6" on center - a very strong block - they ship direct to you. Things to make sure of: the footers must be level, if not shim the first coarse. Make sure the window bucks are square and level - brace the bucks such that they can not settle due to form compression. Make sure you have all through the wall perforations sleaved out - you don't want to have to core though 6" of concrete to put in a missed dryer vent or range vent. Don't skimp on the bracing!!