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We are planning on building a 1500 sq. ft garage/house. We will live in it for the next 5 or 6 years while we save to build the house. The plan is to use ICF’s (insulated concrete forms) for the walls all the way up. The first question is we have seen some controversy over the true R value of these walls. The manufacturers claiming around R-30 and I have seen some reports of these testing out to less than half of that claim. Does anyone have more info on this discrepency (or even have ideas of where to start looking)? The other question is about the differences between the composite type forms (they use concrete and foam in the forms) and the straight EPS foam style forms? We are leaning towards the composite because of the longer burn rates and better adhesion for stucco exterior. I know the extra weight makes them more difficult to use. Is there in any other advantages or disadvantages I should be aware of?
thanks in advance
Craig Spaeth
Spaeth Design Works
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We are planning on building a 1500 sq. ft garage/house. We will live in it for the next 5 or 6 years while we save to build the house. The plan is to use ICF's (insulated concrete forms) for the walls all the way up. The first question is we have seen some controversy over the true R value of these walls. The manufacturers claiming around R-30 and I have seen some reports of these testing out to less than half of that claim. Does anyone have more info on this discrepency (or even have ideas of where to start looking)? The other question is about the differences between the composite type forms (they use concrete and foam in the forms) and the straight EPS foam style forms? We are leaning towards the composite because of the longer burn rates and better adhesion for stucco exterior. I know the extra weight makes them more difficult to use. Is there in any other advantages or disadvantages I should be aware of?
thanks in advance
Craig Spaeth
Spaeth Design Works