Anyone have experience with a thermomass foundation system?
I was researching poured concrete foundations and was shown a system called thermomass. It uses conventional forms but has a core of 2″ styrene board. Connecting rods link the two outside layers of concrete by passing through the foam and extending out several inches. It looks like an inside out ICF system.
It would seem to give the advantage of allowing the inside layer of concrete to be a thermal mass storage by disconnecting it from the exposed side.
Are costs lower than an ICF foundation? Does it have a track record? Can you think of a down side?
Replies
I'm going to reply to myself in hopes of moving it up the list and see if someone has heard of this. (Hope replying to myself isn't a sign of some sort of issue like when I talk back to voices in my head.)
In BT lingo that is called 'bumping a thread' and is recommended to get viewership to your question.
I was wondering what more benefit one would get from that method than just placing the foamboard insulation on the outside of the wall?
damn, am I fat!
I think CloudHidden posted something about this product a few months ago.
I think.
Joe H
I did it for my house. Easy to tackle for a consciencious (sp?) poured wall contractor; even more so if you can get the rep to be there for the pour.
I thought about ICF, but the federalies prohibit exposed foam and I did not want the expense of finishing off the basement right away. Also, both ICF and traditional applied extrior foam leave a "vulnerable" surface until covered somehow.
Our plan is to use some natural thin stone veneer on the areas of exposed foundation. T-mass gives me a concrete surface to work with "when we're darn good and ready". Exposed foam would require lathe and a scratch coat.
Also, some areas have pre-cast T-mass options. . .
Because you have not completed your profile, I don't know where you live. The benefits of T-mass vary from region to region, but I think it is a good system and was the right choice for us. Your mileage my vary.
If you visit my blog, look in the July time frame of the archives to see T-mass in action.
Adventures in Home Building
An online journal covering the preparation and construction of our new home.