Browse Forums Renovation + Home Improvement 1 Jul 17, 2011 8:50 pm Hi all, Great forum for information My wife and I are in the early stages of planning an extension to our house. We haven't yet decided whether to add a second level or build stand alone externally - we are expecting the inlaws in the future. If we build externally, I would be really interested in building out of the ICF stuff i.e. Formcraft. Does anyone have any recommendations for builders who are using this type of construction in Perth? Cheers for any info Kim Re: ICF builders in Perth? 2Jul 18, 2011 10:04 am Hi Kim, Formcraft, good stuff. (sorry cant help with builder experience using this material). You may want to consider this stuff as well; SIPs panels..............http://sipsindustries.com.au/home.php Theyre basically prefabricated panels (timber with insulation infill), quick to install, and any chippy can put them togeather. Theyre a local company as well, Bibra Lake. Regards, Pat. Re: ICF builders in Perth? 3Jul 18, 2011 4:05 pm Hi Pat, Thanks for the link - that does look interesting. That might work really well for the top level. The bottom (ground) level I was intending to use as a music/games room so was interested in the acoustic properties of ICF. Cheers for the info Kim Re: ICF builders in Perth? 4Jul 19, 2011 5:59 pm I have used formcraft previously and all I can say is ...first and last time! Also with ICF there are a lot of other issues to consider when building with ICF, you need to know experienced contractors who can work with this stuff, and I'm not just talking about putting up the walls, but I also mean, concretors, renderers, plaster fixers, window suppliers/installers etc. With a product that is different to industry standard, you should allow a larger contingency for all of the above plus a few others. The ICF suppliers don't explain this well enough I feel. Don't get me wrong though, ICF installed properly and provided it is a robust block does have a lot of advantages, it's just going to cost you more (IN MY OPINION) because you are deviating from Standard stuff (eg different type of window framing, more expensive rendering possibly) so your supplier pool and your trade pool is smaller which can drive up the cost. Re: ICF builders in Perth? 5Jul 19, 2011 7:23 pm Hi Dongle, You raise a very interesting point. In fact, I have tried to contact Zego twice now to find a builder who is using their ICF's here is Perth and they haven't replied. My main reasons for exploring ICF was the soundproofing, suspended slab option, retaining abilities and speed at which it can be built. Did you use it for a house or something else? Cheers Kim Re: ICF builders in Perth? 6Jul 20, 2011 7:49 am Kim, Yes I used it for a house construction. There was no builder that I could use that would provide a fixed price to construct so I had to owner build. I looked at a few other ICF projects as well and despite the sales pitch from the ICF suppliers, your construction schedule will more than likely take longer and cost more. Also you have to be very aware about how your penetrations are sealed and this also includes waterproofing windows. As this construction method does not have a void between bricks such as double brick or brick veneer, any water that get through the window will have detrimental affects on your interior or external finish, whereas it ends of running doen the void in a brick construction. The problem with most ICF suppliers is that all they want to sell you is the block. They don't take responsibility for design of such things as windows, doors, penetrations, wet sealiing, slab connection details, roof connection details, render adherance, building subcontractors, engineering certification, paster board fixing, concrete mix formulae, etc. All of these things above are different to traditional building and can give you big headaches if you get them wrong. Also you have to find an architect who can design with it and an engineer that will design and include the necessary reinforcing without going overboard. Design for ICF is different for concrete design of free formed concrete as it doesn't need so much reo due to surface cracking not being an issue with ICF, but try finding an engineer who is willing to agree to looking at that one. More than likely you will end up just paying for more reo than you actually need. Have you considered concrete blocks core filled with concrete. This is just as strong and will provide you with acoustics you need. It will be faster and cheaper than using ICF's. Unfortunatley I think the Australian ICF industry has not developed the entire building solutions sufficiently at this point and are too focussed on just selling you a foam block. Re: ICF builders in Perth? 7Jul 21, 2011 1:49 am Hi Dongle, That's a whole heap of handy information - thanks heaps. I checked out the concrete blocks at MidlandBrick (Boral) website after reading your suggestion and that does look like the ideal building product for what I need. The fact that they can act as a retaining wall as well is a good thing. I'll give MidlandBrick a call and see what they reckon but I noticed there is a thing called Acoustic block on their website - that could be interesting: http://www.midlandbrick.com.au/Docs/Pro ... te=Midland So the cores are still filled with concrete? I may have found a draftie to draw up the plans, but if anyone knows a good builder in regards to willingness to work through the project please let me know. Thanks heaps Kim Good questions but the best answer will be obtained by visiting (ie: interviewing) a couple of house designers and/or builders and ask them. You may find it challenging to… 2 3526 1 2912 Hi all, We are looking to build a new two storey house in western Sydney. Can anyone recommend a smallish builder to go with? We are trying to stay away from the big… 0 12718 |