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Robert, Try www.insulatingconcreteform.com
Attached to this message is a picture of a project we have underway in Dallas TX. It is a 3 story quadplex.
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Robert, Try http://www.insulatingconcreteform.com
Attached to this message is a picture of a project we have underway in Dallas TX. It is a 3 story quadplex.
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Hi Norman,
You wouldn't have a picture of what happens when a form blows do you, by any chance?
Question.....How do you know that you don't have structural cavities or voids in the pour, especially around inserts?
In ICI we still consider ICFs to be a novelty, for residential use only.
Gabe
Gabe
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Gabe, Your concerns are valid. However ICF'S are not a novelty. They have been used in successfully in Europe for 30 years.
As for voids it is simple to check for them by tapping the exterior of the form. If it's hollow there is a void. The problems you talk about are caused by poor installation or improper concrete placement methods. I seem to remember from other posts that you live in Dallas. Call me and I'll be happy to show you some commercial projects in town. Attached is a picture of a blow out caused by a broken tie in a field assembled block system. The tie was most likley broken during assembly.
This project is a gymnastics center in Coppell. Thanks Norman
*Gabe, attached is a better picture of the project in Coppell.I do not want to mislead anybody. This project was not mine. The contractor was short handed on pour day so I went to help with the pour along with Ian Giesler of ICF Builders and his crew.
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Hi Norman,
No I'm up here in Canada.
A little advise.
You have a lot of experience with ICFs, don't lose your credibility by your advertizing. If you want to use this board, simply to advertize, pay Taunton Press for the rights, otherwise, do like most of us and back off a little.
My comments relating to novelty, refer to the fact that there are so few of them in comparison with other methods and the information on them is not complete as yet.
Gabe
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Gabe: There is plenty of information and data on ICF forms, houses and structures. The US is far behind the Canadians as far as the use of ICF for residential and commercial construction. The PCA and CPCA have stated that over 100,000 homes were built this past year, I'd bet that over half are in Canada, where building starts are a fraction of the US. What information are you looking for or referring to? Perhaps there are many of us silent types that can direct you to the proper places to find the information that you are waiting for. By the way, I can relate to your comment to Norman about advertising, but don't you think that many of us that read more than we print may think that you know an awful lot??? (hint: count the number of postings you have on this site) regards, Ian
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Hi Ian,
It's not a matter or what information that I would require, it's just that you fellows are supposed to be experienced in ICFs as contractors and yet when someone asks a specific question, you either maintain your silence or I see advertizing en mass.
I doubt that 50,000 homes were done with ICFs in Canada this last year. Maybe 5000, tops. Then again, I may be wrong.
(hint: a lot of times I, along with some of the regulars, wait for someone else to answer, but you silent types, don't (=: )
Gabe
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I too wonder about the facts.... Many things of greater consequence than concrete homes....for example how could Bill Clinton really be elected as our president, not once, but twice. I stopped trying to outsmart and outguess the whole lot, I know my place in society and leave it at that. Last year our company built 33 structures with ICF. I'm one operation, over the continent I know of better than a thousand people just like Norman, say each one builds or sells only twenty all year......that's quite a few. Talk to you in a week or so, don't want to be too verbose here, might get shot down again! LOL to all. Ian
*Gabe, I must take issue with your qualification of my posts as advertising. Advertising is the solicitation of business, I have not done this. I do however shamelessly promote the use of ICF'S.I include my company name in my byline for 2 reasons. 1. Everyone that posts an opinion has a bias. (people that read my posts should know I use and believe in ICF's) 2. A lot of people get on these forums and act as if they are experts in construction. I want people to know that my posts are based on real experiences, not theory. I feel that this is the only fair way to post a message. This allows the people who read these posts to make a judgement as to the validity of the content.Sincerly Norman
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Hi Norman,
You must have been a lawyer in your last life to be qualifying the difference between promotions and advertizing.
Regardless, like most posters on this forum, I support your proper identification of your trade.
However, now that that's behind us, welcome aboard and remember, with the praise comes the flames.
Gabe
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I need info on CONCRETE DECKS. My client would like a concrete deck on his hillside house. I've cut down more than my share of forest, so I like the idea. Looks like a type of concrete floor used in multistory office buildings would be almost perfect. They are poured over corrugated metal decking that serves both as form and as most of the steel reinforcing. BUT, my experience is all with wood framed construction - I don't know where to start. Does anyone have any experience with such an application? Can anyone recommend websites, books, suppliers, trade associations, etc, that could help me do the job?
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We did the basement walls in our house using the foam forms. We orginally were going to do the second floor the same way, but opted for the structual insulated panels instead. The styrofoam forms present some interesting challenges. The most critical thing is the delivery of the concrete into the forms. The pumping rig we had was too large which made for a lot more mental anguish than I would have liked. Use a fat mixture (at least 6 bag mix) and pretty stiff. Do small lifts (1 foot or 2) and have some bulge fixing stuff on hand. 3 foot squares of 3/4 inch plywood or OSB with a 1/2 hole in the middle of them. Some appropriate lengths of 1/2 inch all-thread and nuts. Some really large washers or 6 inch squares of 1/4 plate steel with 1/2 inch holes in them would be really good. When the blow-out occurs just stab the all thread through the wall, attach boards, washers and nuts and pull the mess back together. Brace the crap out of the forms and get a pumper operator that has poured these kind of forms before. Would I use them again? Yes, but with a different pump and operator to fill them.
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I have used ICFs on a recent project - I can personally attest to the "mental anguish" statement made... However, we poured the basement, two full floors, and the high gable ends - and after two small blowouts on the basement - learned the tricks of pumping and "listening" to the forms...
I would use ICFs again no doubt - now that I am in a fully enclosed shell where you can't even hear the rain.........
*Robert: you can go to aecinfo.com where you can access the forums, go to concrete, ask for some advice there, you should get quite a few responses. I like ComFlor, it is a product of British Steel, the spans that you can pour without shoring are great and it is simple to put together. If the porch is only 8' or so wide, you can use just about anyone's product, including 1 1/8" plywood over trusses or tji's. Be sure to ask questions about proper waterproofing of the deck, especially if it ties into the exterior wall of the structure. Try calling a local concrete accessories company, they can give you an idea on availability of the different products. Good Luck!
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I am looking for a testimonial from anyone who has built a home using the polysteel, blue max or other styrofoam form and concrete method. There are only 2 homes in my area (Indianapolis)that I know of and they were built this year. I have watched the company videos and read their flyers. I even saw an episode of hometime on PBTV that built a house with this method. I am building in a year, can I go wrong with this method? Are there any happy customers out there?
*Robert,This subject has come up a number of times here. There is a current thread under Construction Techniques that has what you are looking for.Steve