As the title says. Years ago I did two Polysteel foundations, are there better/easier?TIA, cheers,Phil.
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Philter,
I like Nudura, and Wisconsin Thermo-form. My two cents.
Brudoggie
I'm doing my first foundation with ICF's next month. Taking 2 of my crew and myself to a class next week. Only one other builder using them around here and has offered some on-site help on my first attempt. He's done a couple of 2 story homes from footing to roof.
We will be using the ARRX blocks....a friend of mine in another area uses Smartblocks and likes them....said the first high wall he did scared the hell out of him, but it held and had no blowouts or other problems.
In part, as I've found out, the kind of block or panels you use depends on the design factors of the wall. In my case, I've got an engineered 10" X 10' high back-filled stemwall that requires consistent concrete thickness rather than filling cells as would be the case with some block designs.
If you are planning on being inhospitable to termites and/or carpenter ants, Poly Steel claims to be the only manufacturer of foam ICFs that incorporates PerformGuard. Of course, the other options are the concrete/polystyrene blocks such as Rastra or TechBlock, or the other block that mixes concrete with, I think, wood by products. Unfortunately I can't think of their name at the moment.
The concrete/polystyrene blocks aren't all that widely distributed, so you might have to pay a bit of freight on them. Actually, the PolySteel treated ICFs, they told me, are only manufacturered in Georgia, so there is a freight penalty there (as well as a premium for the treatment) unless you are in that area.
There have been numerous threads on ICF in the past so you should be able to find something with the Breaktime SEARCH function, although be prepared to spend some time sorting through all the stuff that is retrieved...
He's done a couple of 2 story homes from footing to roof.
Did he drop the concrete from the top to the bottom? I've seen it done- and the results. Wasn't pretty.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I used Nudura and have been happy with the results.
Bob B.
I am going to use Green Block.
A couple of things I have learned in my research.
At the high end for strength you have the Rasta type products, but they are heavey enough to require a crew to handle.
A moderate size foundation only will not be a full truck load for shipping charges. You get hammered for partial loads. Try to piggy back your order with someone nearby.
Check on water proofing products approved for the ICF before you make your decision. Special order water proofing can add significantly to you cost, particularly if it has to be applied by a certified installer.
Termite do not eat the foam, nor do any of the subteranien bugs. They will borrow and nest in it. The first line of defense is keeping them out. That can be accomplished with the water proofing below grade, and the choice of finish above grade. Borate is good, but if it is so vitale to the ICF durrablity, all the manufacturers would be using it. The four or five that I have talked too, all say the same thing. Keeping them out is more important than making them dead after they nibble a little.
For speed of installation, look at full block products. I watched one go up with the blocks you assemble on site. What PITA. Plastic web ties and pieces of foam forms all over the place. Just looked like it was to labor busy for my time.
Test break a sample of the product with your hands. You will be able to tell which ones you will have the most confidence in by the feel of them breaking. Break them down to 3" pieces and you will really get a feel for the strong ones. GreenBlock, Integra, and Rasta are right up there at the top.
Check on the availablity of 45 degree corners and other odd angles.
Let me get about 3 weeks of good dry weather and I'll have some real life experience to share about GreenBlock.
Dave