Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum Re: Any ICF Owner Builders Here? 4Sep 24, 2014 8:21 pm Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Any ICF Owner Builders Here? 9Sep 27, 2014 10:32 am Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Any ICF Owner Builders Here? 11Sep 27, 2014 7:06 pm Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Any ICF Owner Builders Here? 13Sep 28, 2014 8:10 am Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Any ICF Owner Builders Here? 15Sep 28, 2014 2:52 pm Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Any ICF Owner Builders Here? 16Sep 30, 2014 10:41 am Using the Ezyblocks, the trick was to lay down some light steel "U" sections tracks 55 mm wide and a 30 mm high fold, ramset nailed to the concrete floor. These tracks held the base blocks so that they did not pop, also kept them in a straight line. I poured the first section to the height of the window sill, then did a second pour. The secret is good control of the concrete pump lineman, so that the wall is lifted evenly. Making the concrete a higher slump (more water) will cause "popouts" and no way can you use a vibrator. Just use a large piece of 150 x 100, 300 mm with a handle to "pat down" the walls to settle the concrete. I estimate 5% to 10% cost savings on construction against conventional materials. Where the savings will be in energy for heating and cooling. The air conditioning unit with ducted air should be 50% less than normal homes. If you use the same calculations as normal homes, you will have a huge electricity bill due to the system cutting in and out and have mildew problems. Re: Any ICF Owner Builders Here? 17Oct 04, 2014 12:29 am The block is sloped so we will dig in at the low side for an undercroft. So walls will be 250mm for undercroft, 200mm for main level external walls, 90mm stud internals. We got a quote from an ICF builder to put the walls up. It had the usual unknowns with exclusions and provisions and it was more expensive than brick, so we will be putting the walls up ourselves. That makes it hard to determine cost savings when we will do a lot of the work ourselves, but this way of building allows us to do more. Based on the quantity survey we had done we think we can save around $100k over a builder built brick house. We have always lived in brick houses and they are always too hot in summer and too cold in winter so hoping this will be a more temp stable house. Running costs savings would be a bonus but are not the reason we chose this method. Main reason was it allows us to do more ourselves. Re: Any ICF Owner Builders Here? 18Oct 09, 2014 10:56 am You will not be un-happy with an ICF home. You will find it warm in winter and cool in summer. Cost wise, the savings will be around 10% on a DIY brick and stick build. Costs that will blow your budget will be the rendering. This is where if you are of reasonable skill ... you can save big bucks. Chasing electrical and plumbing no problem. I still suggest Styro panel for internal walls. 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 3255 Thank you so much. This has been very helpful. We definitely wish to settle and get these people out of our life. They are trying to charge us interest on late… 7 14358 |