Question for you contractors/builders.

jtomasik
Profile picture for user jtomasik
Posts
12895
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Golden, CO, USA
jtomasik
Edited Date/Time 1/17/2012 2:54am
On my drive home, someone's putting up a house and the structural walls are this strange white material. I think they stacked 'em like building blocks. They dug what looks to be a crawlspace, and they started stacking right from there, at least what I could see.

Anyone know what this stuff is?
|
newmann
Profile picture for user newmann
Posts
24437
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
newmann 8/21/2008 6:25pm
8/21/2008 6:25pm
I wonder how much money the contractor got for startup costs and how little will he actually do before he asks for another draw to continue.
RonSkj
Profile picture for user RonSkj
Posts
2902
Joined
6/20/2008
Location
Radiator Springs, CA, USA
Fantasy
935th
RonSkj 8/21/2008 6:27pm
8/21/2008 6:27pm
ICF.. Insulated concrete foam, Stack hollow foam blocks, cut openings, doors etc.. and fill center with concrete.
Cygnus
Profile picture for user Cygnus
Posts
14845
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Hanover, CO, USA
Cygnus 8/21/2008 6:27pm
8/21/2008 6:27pm
Papercrete ?
jtomasik
Profile picture for user jtomasik
Posts
12895
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Golden, CO, USA
jtomasik 8/21/2008 6:28pm
8/21/2008 6:28pm
RonSkj wrote:
ICF.. Insulated concrete foam, Stack hollow foam blocks, cut openings, doors etc.. and fill center with concrete.
Thanks! What are the benefits? Is it worth a damn? What about insulation properties?

The Shop

See All »
Ozy
Profile picture for user Ozy
Posts
2269
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
USA
Ozy 8/21/2008 6:31pm
8/21/2008 6:31pm
RonSkj wrote:
ICF.. Insulated concrete foam, Stack hollow foam blocks, cut openings, doors etc.. and fill center with concrete.
sounds like ICF to me also
pushpulldragitin 8/21/2008 6:34pm
8/21/2008 6:34pm
Works wonderful if you dont have a tornado blow through before you put the concrete in the middle of the foam. Takes days to clean that stuff up if a storm blows in.
Tiki
Profile picture for user Tiki
Posts
10650
Joined
8/1/2006
Location
Corona, CA, USA
Fantasy
754th
Tiki 8/21/2008 6:38pm
8/21/2008 6:38pm
RonSkj wrote:
ICF.. Insulated concrete foam, Stack hollow foam blocks, cut openings, doors etc.. and fill center with concrete.
Year 2000 type stuff. Stops global warming. Either way its cool to see technology being employed. Ever see those nut jobs that want to build a house out of living trees?
RonSkj
Profile picture for user RonSkj
Posts
2902
Joined
6/20/2008
Location
Radiator Springs, CA, USA
Fantasy
935th
RonSkj 8/21/2008 6:39pm
8/21/2008 6:39pm
`ol Ger
Profile picture for user `ol Ger
Posts
6269
Joined
7/15/2007
Location
Piqua, OH, USA
`ol Ger 8/21/2008 6:42pm
8/21/2008 6:42pm
Yeah, ICF. Fairly efficient, and strong.

Not the easiest to run wires. Stops Global Warming? ICF has been around longer than the gangreens have been yammering about GW...
WhipMeister
Profile picture for user WhipMeister
Posts
5268
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Big D, TX, USA
WhipMeister 8/21/2008 6:51pm
8/21/2008 6:51pm
Got one in the next block. Cool house. Very quiet and very EE.Comment about adding any 'old work' stuff to the exterior walls is spot on.
Slow ~ Pro
Profile picture for user Slow ~ Pro
Posts
3834
Joined
3/27/2008
Location
Capistrano Beach, CA, USA
Slow ~ Pro 8/21/2008 6:56pm
8/21/2008 6:56pm
It's primary use is exterior walls.
RonSkj
Profile picture for user RonSkj
Posts
2902
Joined
6/20/2008
Location
Radiator Springs, CA, USA
Fantasy
935th
RonSkj 8/21/2008 7:03pm
8/21/2008 7:03pm
newmann wrote:
I wonder how much money the contractor got for startup costs and how little will he actually do before he asks for another draw to continue.
I would guess, about a third of what his startup costs are. Then he'll put more of his own money into it. Then the owner will change his mind and want to change a bunch of stuff. (after he thinks about it for a week or two) Then bitch about having to pay for the changes. And then when its time for that next payment... Well, whats today reason he can't pay...
UpTiTe 8/21/2008 7:41pm
8/21/2008 7:41pm
ICF houses are sure nice but they add cost to everything. When they are done you dont hear anything outside.
jtomasik
Profile picture for user jtomasik
Posts
12895
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Golden, CO, USA
jtomasik 8/21/2008 7:53pm
8/21/2008 7:53pm
Anyone know the thermal efficiency? I'm looking at land for a cabin, and now I'm contemplating building an earth ship. But, they seem to be a bit of a pain in the ass. Maybe something like this is better.
FlickitFlat 8/21/2008 8:11pm
8/21/2008 8:11pm
I've helped build around 10 houses with them. After growing up in a constuction family I thought it was a joke when we first started doing them. Even after I had helped build a couple. Then I started to see the benefits and really liked how they turned out. They really kick ass over block for a basement as well. They don't leak or seep water like block does and work real nice with a foundation with formadrain. What are you guys talking about being hard to finish exterior walls and interior walls of ICF? If you put them up right the perlins are right where they need to be and marked for siding and drywall. Easier to see and install than on plywood and for sure insulation board. Plus the surfice is ready for stucko if you want to go that route. Couldn't be easier.

Post a reply to: Question for you contractors/builders.