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Is there any one best ICF? I have seen several articles describing the different types (40 different ones), but none of there articles including the one in Fine Homebuilding compares or rates these systems. Is there not one or perhaps several of these systems that embody the best qualities that everyone really wants such as reasonable cost, strength, ease of use (short learning curve), good insulating properties, lack of combustibility and toxic smoke production? I have checked out all the related links (including Portland Cement) for ICF’s and they are no help.
Sincerely,
John Roy
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Have you looked at icfweb.com? There's some very experienced people posting on the discussion board there whose opinions are worth paying attention to.
*There is not a simple answer to this question. Some types and brands are better suited to certain applications than others. We have used 7 different brands. The best block on the market right now is Amvic. It is at least 10% less than any other quality form. I say quality because some forms are total trash. People continue to buy the trash because it looks cheap up front. They do not consider the total cost of the wall installed. The next block on my list would be Greenblock. Easy to install and pours great. These 2 forms are on top for one simple reason. They are pre-assembled flat wall systems with pre-formed 90 and 45 degree corners. The tie spacing is close. Amvic has ties 6" o.c. and Greenblock has ties 5" o.c. To round out the list for field assembled blocks. Formtec, ties are are available in different widths. The Formtec corner is a little cumbersome. But over all it is a good form. Quadlock makes the best radius walls. Again you must make your own 90's and 45's. Integraspec, it is assembled on the wall and has pre-molded 90's. The list of manufacturers is long. If you have a specific project in mind, tell us about it and we can help you narrow things down to the best 2 or 3 forms for you to pick from.
*J Roy, a lot depends on wether you want labor in the field or pay the factory for labor. We have used Lite-Form out of Sioux City with reasonable satisfaction. Tried Referee once, it was an expensive disaster for us. Never again. Used ECO last time and everyone on the job site liked it the best. Haven't tried any of those listed by Norman. If you are concerned with just doing one job for yourself you might want to use one of the preassembled varities. hav fun
*John,I've been looking at ICF's for about 3 years now. I'm a retreaded union cement finisher, so the thought of using concrete gets sort of a built-in positive response from me.I have seen and talked with homeowners who have houses built with the post and/or post and beam type blocks. Big problems. Concrete doesn't flow easily down and across constricted areas well. In one particular case the owner had water leaking in at the base of an exterior wall during moderate rainfalls. He stripped off the interior panelling and then got into the styrofoam. He discovered voids and honeycombing in the concrete. I've talked with several engineers/contractors who have seen/experienced the same thing. Not pretty, and very difficult to gauge the extent without major tear-outs. Even then, the extent of the damage, structural integrity, etc. is difficult to assess. Proper repair is problematic too. I came to the no-brainer conclusion that a sandwiched monolithic, uniform thickness type wall would be the simplest and safest structural pour to do.The Amvic system is good; however, I am leaning more toward the vertical Wisconsin Thermo-Form system. It appears to be simpler to use and requires less bracing - more user friendly, in other words. A savings 10 or 15% on the cost of forms can be lost quickly when more labor and bracing are required. The other feature that appeals to me is that the Thermo-Form material is available treated with borate - insect (termite & carpentar ant) resistant. My last house became infested with termites because some yahoo forgot to take out a wood form stake in the master bathroom shower, giving the wee beasties a direct route through the concrete slab and up into the interior walls and attic - ugh!!! No ICF can help out with this type of slip up, but my neighbors both got termites in the outside walls from the lawn, and a borate treated ICF will perform well in this type of situation.Good luck,Cliff.
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Is there any one best ICF? I have seen several articles describing the different types (40 different ones), but none of there articles including the one in Fine Homebuilding compares or rates these systems. Is there not one or perhaps several of these systems that embody the best qualities that everyone really wants such as reasonable cost, strength, ease of use (short learning curve), good insulating properties, lack of combustibility and toxic smoke production? I have checked out all the related links (including Portland Cement) for ICF's and they are no help.
Sincerely,
John Roy