ICF Foundation with Insulating GRAVEL?

[@synergygreenbuildinggroup2541]

We've been building exclusively with ICF for the last 20 years however the majority of our builds are all the way to the roof. Building the above grade walls with ICF where exposed to the elements offers tremendous benefit and great value.

[@old1234]

This is the way. ICF has so many benefits.

[@Trahloc]

Just wondering but do you build out in New Hampshire? I'm planning to move there in 2023/24 and will be buying raw land.

[@michiganengineer8621]

We're looking at ICF for our home build. I like the LitedeckSRS flooring with up to a 50' clear span, opens up entirely new possibilities!

[@rockys7726]

@@michiganengineer8621 Why did you go with Litedeck? I'm looking at I-span with 2" of concrete over it. Is there room to run utilities through the spans?

[@michiganengineer8621]

@@rockys7726 Four reasons we're looking at Litedeck or a similar ICF solution. 1: the potential for having _NO_ interior supporting walls. 2: thermal and acoustic insulation 3: fire resistance. And #4: Resistance to severe weather, tornadoes being the primary one around here. No, the Litedeck ICF doesn't have utility channels through it, I was planning on a "false ceiling" made of sheet-rock hanging up to a foot below the decking where needed to conceal utilities.

[@pennguino9137]

Finally! More ICF please!

[@dlg5485]

ICF is the perfect basement foundation solution and this job is perfectly done. ICF offers unmatched strength, moisture impermeability, thermal properties, etc. I will definitely utilize ICF for my basement when I build my dream retirement home.

[@Chris_at_Home]

I had a small house that had pier blocks and I supported it and put in a 4’ wall with ICFs. It made a huge difference in heating. Our current home I built I actually just put 4” of foam on the outside of a concrete full basement. We have great southern exposure with a lot of glass on the south wall. I have a duct that pulls air off the ceiling on the space over th basement (living level) that blows hot air in the basement and the heat gets stored in the walls. Today it is mid 20s F and sunny and the sun is heating us quite well. We have double stud walls with R40 closed cell foam above grade. Our ceiling has R38 batts over R21 batts.

[@AsHellBored]

I haven't used this brand, but IFC prone to blowouts. You are holding up 100s of pounds of concrete with Styrofoam. I think IFC is great for a crawl space or half basement. ICF blocks are 100s of dollars each block. So while you can save money on labor, it doesnt save you much over all. Another problem I have seen is, they dont seal at the footer sometimes. This is a big problem when it comes to letting water in.

[@Chris_at_Home]

@@AsHellBored I had a blow out on a 4’ wall. I probably dumped the concrete in a little fast. It was a 3 year project and I did it all myself including using a mixer with a chute and dumped a a little fast causing the blow out.

[@mightykrum67]

@@AsHellBored ICF blocks are between 20-40$ each depending on the brand and size. The secret sauve to ICF is go nuts on bracing. Use all the 2x4 that you will need for your interior walls so it's free.

[@dlg5485]

@@AsHellBored Every ICF blowout I've seen on youtube was due to improper or inadequate bracing. As with most jobs like this, the prep work makes the difference. In my opinion, the ideal would be to pour the footer and wall at once using Fastfoot or something similar, so there's no cold joint.

[@FunwithBooboo]

we just finished our 2 storey LOGIX ICF house and couldn't be happier about it. it's really the way to go.

[@muffemod]

Yea? I'm looking into it.

[@offgridrv658]

I absolutely love Logix Brands "engineered insulation" products. Their ICF is outstanding, customer support is top notch, and they have radiant flooring and insulated panel products as well. A recent jobsite I visited replaced their OSB sheathing with Logix's Exterra product (R5) and was $8 a sheet vs $45 for OSB. This is the future of building. Great video, I really like the Glavel product used as well.

[@markbonnell1036]

I am a icf installer in Nova Scotia Canada for 12 years great product

[@matthewloynd9364]

My firm at Design west architects have now done two schools made with ICF. This stuff is amazing and the benifits you gain from this system work for all building types, residential or commercial. Great video guys!

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Thank you

[@David_Mash]

Good to see Steve looking more fit this year!

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

working on it - thanks

[@robinbriggs1517]

Thanks Matt and Steve, I got my SCHUCO Windows in today for our "Forever Home", unfortunately we had to delay our ICCF Perfect Block home due to my husband starting Chemo in August. WE WILL Overcome!

[@FirstLast-oz6rs]

Congratulations on starting the build on your forever home. I wish you and your husband the best!

[@sustainability8200]

I'm was thinking of using "the perfect block" or Rastra. I'm just not sold on how to attach things to the walls. Probably need to do more research.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Wishing you the best!!

[@sebastiantevel898]

Best wishes!

[@sebastiantevel898]

@@sustainability8200 They are much more complicated than regular ICF to install anything on them including drywall, even the joist hangers takes longer. May not need all the bracing that regular ICF do, but they are significantly slower to install regardless of the manufacturer claim. Also attaching any furring is more complicated. Likely good mostly for stucco only. Not mentioning 5-6 months lead time...

[@aldoogie824]

Why stop there! Go all the way up!!🎉

[@Th3120ck]

How will he pay the framer??

[@timgleason2527]

What would you use for cladding on an ICF house?

[@synergygreenbuildinggroup2541]

@@timgleason2527 You can clad the above grade ICF walls in any material desired. There is a 1 1/2" wide point of attachment recessed 1/2" back from the surface of the foam every 8" on center running top to bottom.

[@aldoogie824]

@@timgleason2527 Really depends, and really easy with ICF. From stucco to siding. I'm a huge fan of ICF , glad to see Matt getting involved with it. It was only a matter of time.

[@aldoogie824]

@@Th3120ck a lot less, but there's still interior framing and roofs to be done. while you can do the roof out of concrete as well, I love trusses paired with ICF.

[@MrTheBurkes]

I'm here! Been listing to The Build Podcast all day!

[@DrivingWithJake]

On the build show! Great to see these as always.

[@LilYeshua]

Wow. I've never seen a job site that clean

[@JimYeats]

Zero pre-video preparation either, their workers are just that fastidious. "Video ready at all times!" is their jobsite motto.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Howell Custom Build does NOT mess around - as good as contractor's get, love working with them

[@LilYeshua]

@@stevenbaczekarchitect9431 being a recently retired concrete truck driver it was extremely rare to see a job site immaculately clean as that. Most of the flat and destroyed tires came from the ones with poor housekeeping. Our company used to get on our customers about keeping their job sites clean.

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

Gratz on the 1M dude.

[@buildshow]

Thanks!

[@jenniferpatt4355]

Mark, can you do a show to help existing home owners in cold climates figure out how to get fresh air moving through the house in the winter, especially for homes that were not built air tight like the newer ones. I have a gas blower furnace and when I start to research this, I just go in circles and the cost is beyond me. I also live in a rural area and can't find anyone expert in this area. I think this could help a lot of your viewers try to figure out this situation. Sometimes I wonder if just continually running the bath fan and install an outside vented fan over the stove would be enough? Then I start reading about negative pressure and my head spins. Thanks.

[@INSIGHTCO]

Try looking at ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation).

[@doctoroctos]

I always wonder when they will start monitoring air cycle refreshes and ensuring its even throughout the house. Carbon monoxide buildup is a huge issue. With out air cycling, return registers and cycling conditioned air, the system will be a headache generator.

[@Daryl...]

​@@doctoroctos do they not use similar to MHRV, which pumps the stale indoor air out, and bring in fresh exterior air in while using the heat from the indoor air to heat the exterior air as it's coming in? house is 'airtight' but requires sufficient ventilation, and the MHVR systems are great for that, while not sacrificing the efficiency of the insulation by simply cutting holes/vents everywhere

[@jenniferpatt4355]

@@INSIGHTCO cannot use erv in cold climates

[@Ed-jg3ud]

Baczek is the Bomb!! Love his content, only wish I knew of him when I built my home 8 years ago:)

[@IAintScaredOfNoGhost]

I've noticed over the years of being a fan of Matt's, that Steve stays BUSY knocking out home after home after home, compared to everybody else (Matt included) on Matt's channel.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

I kinda like that Steve guy too lol

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

@@IAintScaredOfNoGhost hey buddy - wait till you see what's coming.......thanks for the kind words

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

@@IAintScaredOfNoGhost We are always very busy - I just love what I do and can't get enough of it.....Thanks

[@michaelschneider-]

@@IAintScaredOfNoGhost ... +1 Agreed. .. Tier One architecture with building execution "like ya read about" . . Cheers, Vail, Colorado

[@bw2314]

Is there a video focusing on that gray interior gravel being installed?

[@95dodgev10]

Never assuming anything about lack of knowledge. You just taught me the sizing of rebar 🙂.

[@MrLoudog7]

I worry about termites burrowing into it. I’m in the south . any thoughts? Preventative measures?

[@glavelinc]

Thanks for the shout out! Looks like a great project.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

wELCOME!!!

[@buildshow]

Super cool product! Hope to use Glavel one day!

[@jjansen987]

You only pour 4’ at a time and work around them do the 2nd lift. You cannot pour 9 feet of concrete at one time, or it becomes too much weight for the bottom blocks of foam. Unless you and reinforced all the walls. However ICF is the best. Super strong and high R value.

[@braddejax9528]

Unless you use SUPERFORM, then you can pour 8 feet high all the time in one pour. Been doing it for 25 years.

[@wd8005]

@@braddejax9528Superform ICF from Canada, Alberta?

[@joshualruby]

This is not true. Hadn’t been for as long as I have done ICF (nearly 20 years). You can totally pour standard height in one pour. I’ve poured 24’ in a single day with no issues. I go in 6-10’ lifts and circle around the walls and usually never need to go more than three wraps around to finish. Some brands are a little weaker and I’d limit to 5’ per lift, but definitely can still pour 10’ in a day with any of the blocks on market today.

[@mfinite689]

Matt and Steve on the job site. You know it's gonna be a good one!

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Thanks Buddy - always have a great time with Matt

[@christopherbeddoe406]

I want to do an ICF ranch style house with full basement, in floor heat, maybe with lite deck main floor to avoid any required span support walls, I'm considering doing a litedeck hip roof for ultimate tornado country protection, and using concrete and metal on the exterior will make it as disaster/fireproof as you can get. The extra cost though for that roof would be significant.

[@robgibson9983]

Congratulations on a million subs!

[@danielfortier9369]

Congratulations on your 1M subscribers . . .

[@1Intuicion]

Would like to see Matt or Steve investigate and comment about using helix steel on an ICF build such as this or larger.

[@MrLoudog7]

Last year I was going to use helix on my driveway. I thought about making a video. No one is talking about it . The concrete companies I spoke to about it were not really wanting to help. They said the boxes are heavy and would have to be carried up a ladder and staged. Just too much push back but that’s here in South Carolina. Good luck getting people to understand what it is and why you want to use it. It’s probably more accepted in colder climates. freight rate went from $500 to $1500 so I cancelled thinking it would be temporary but here we are with a whole new set of problems keeping freight prices sky high.

[@christophe3281]

People been building entire houses like this for a very long time in Canada.

[@sergio11010]

These are really good in explaining construction methods. Shoutout to risinger one of my favorite gcs haha.

[@buildshow]

Appreciate that!

[@dsdragoon]

Great looking foundation!

[@marcfruchtman9473]

Great Video, with lots of tips. Thank you!

[@michaeljbreault]

ICF makes stick framing exterior walls seem like stone age tech.

[@Unclesprizter]

I blew our town's mind when I told them we are going up with it

[@quintinnunn1392]

​@joshmcdevitt137 how did that go??

[@callwaster]

Love the show, tuning in from Ireland since 2015. Could you possibly include the metric conversions on screen? My head just about exploded with the Amvic block dimensions!!! Even Steve ( who I consider a SuperBrain) had to pause for a second. Keep up the good work

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Yes sir.....I had to make sure my math was right , or they would kill you in the comments here lol

[@DesignBuildDoug]

Incredible design!

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Thanks buddy

[@squeekhobby4571]

Awesome info. What about alternatives to rebar? Like fiber bars or Felix micro bars

[@LincolnLog]

Fiber has no ductility and helix can only replace horizontals. You still need plenty of verts which requires a rebar channel to hold it in place during pour and to install your lintels

[@squeekhobby4571]

@@LincolnLog : many thanks. At least we can use Felix to replace horizontals and it should be a huge cost saving effort

[@Modrunnermusic]

@@LincolnLog helix can replace verticals too. Check out their icc report

[@LincolnLog]

@@Modrunnermusic I dunno, I went to to an in-person Nudurs training and they specifically have a rebar channel that spans the center of the block that is used for vertical rebar on helix pours. I have already spoken to helix and their batch rate will max out at 9ft of backfill meaning any deep and tall basements are out. Lastly, I don't trust tiny bits of metal to handle the tension of tens of thousands of pounds of force against the walls verses a #5 every 8 inches. For a slab pour, sure, but not for a basement wall pour

[@marklundegren]

3:00 Can the Tuff N Dri waterproofing be covered with parging or stucco above grade?

[@b.lemire7453]

Despite what builders may tell you, the cost of ICF construction of a home should be almost the same as 2x6 with spray foam. Maybe 1-2% higher. When lumber prices exploded, ICF was actually cheaper. I built my house with Nudura and five years in we're very happy we went ICF

[@Modrunnermusic]

You should check out Helix Steel! They do rebar replacement in ICF walls. Both above and below grade I think.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

will do

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Thank you

[@gabegarrett4878]

What is the “protective board” for on the outside of the ICF? What’s it protecting?

[@rhett7337]

It protects the waterproofing membrane from puncture during the backfill process.

[@MadLadsAnonymous]

Matt, Can we use fiber reinforced concrete for the pour? Glass fiber reinforced polymer rebars?

[@CharlieH_design]

Why did you go with a fiberglass matt protection board instead of a dimple board mat?

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

iT'S A PROPRIETARY SYSTEM "TUFF-N-DRI"

[@MarkHartmann-v5y]

Well thought out

[@microcolonel]

Really interested to see any helical pile work you've seen.

[@michaelroby8389]

I agree with doogie, could you apply this construction on a standard slab on grade build, slap on some Zipsheeting and tape the seams. The R-value seems fairly good, thinking youd still need to apply 2x4s on 20 inch centers in order to run electrical and hang sheetrock on. Throw some mild rockwool in and enjoy higher R-values plus you might have a Safe-house type condition, bullet proof from top to bottom. 😎

[@michiganengineer8621]

You can use a hot-knife or a chainsaw to cut channels in the foam for your electrical, then after inspection simply fill in the channels with spray foam.. All of the ICF companies have plastic "studs" in them at regular spacing that you would hang your sheetrock and siding on.

[@sebastiantevel898]

Not at all... If you want more R value you just order thicker blocks (Nudura Plus R35) or order blocks with larger core and add inserts of EPS inside, they sell also those. No need of interior wood framing these blocks have theirs studs inside and you can cut chases with a hot knife for electric, and definitively no need of using any Zip wall sheathing which actually defeat the purpose of making a fire resilient structure. Zip System is one of the most flammable material on the market. If you want to add sheathing for even better fire proofing, you are better off with Densglass or Securock gypsum/glass panels. Cheers.

[@karlhungus545]

@@michiganengineer8621 Hot knife is the way to go (and a good mask so you don't pass out from fumes). Chainsaw or reciprocating saw makes a HUGE mess of static-holding little balls of foam.

[@michiganengineer8621]

@@karlhungus545 I've seen people doing both methods and the mess made with a saw definitely undoes how fast it is to cut the channels.

[@jsa3]

Can the glavel be used as a radon depressurization layer?

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

we are using it as such

[@volksbugly]

Nice no condensation? :D Pretty cool!

[@monicarust2383]

Great video!!!

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Thank you

[@gateway8833]

In Hurricane/Tornado pron areas this should be Code.

[@Fedgery007]

I’m looking to build on the coast in Florida and I can’t find anymore e that can use ICF which is crazy. They all want to use stick building.

[@TheThirdRutherford]

How about finding someone doing a frost protected shallow foundation with some complexity, an "alaskan slab" as some might say, but done with the EZ Form molded EPS foam. I have on on the boards for a client but it won't be built until next spring. Half uninsulated garage, the other half studio/bedroom with full bath, so there are different treatments for both under-slab insulation, and the flared-from-perimeter "wings" of foamboard outside.

[@synergygreenbuildinggroup2541]

You might want to check out Legalett. We’ve been building Legalett frost protected shallow foundations (with air-heated radiant) together with ICF walls for over 15 years. It’s a marriage made in heaven. There are a few photos on our website if you are so inclined.

[@imwteach]

I've been wondering why the ICF hasn't become the goto wall system?

[@Pontus95]

Why is noone using any thicker ICF blocks in the US? Where I live they sell up to a size of 4inches inside, 6 inch core and 8 inch outside (about R52), and even with that im not quite sure if it would reach passive house standards here, like, a R37 wall is considered decent

[@clinicalcyborg8128]

Has anyone ever considered using litedeck as underslab insulation? I saw in one of your earlier videos that you dug trenches in the ground before pouring the slab to strengthen it, why not insulate and strengthen in one go?

[@zaknefain100]

These seem great for DIY builders, once the proper footing/substrate work is done. Any opinions on this as vs traditional basement/foundation for DIY builders?

[@brianpimental2948]

Matt and Steve what do you think of Greenstone walls?

[@hifiandmtb]

This building appears to be in a beautiful location.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

very beautiful....

[@doctoroctos]

Incredibly beautiful. Perhaps a little too close. Hope those trees stay put for the life of the home. Its almost free to drop a tree before construction, its exponential in cost as construction progresses.

[@David_Mash]

Polywall blue barrier is safe to use on ICF I thought. Why use ashpaltic products instead? What is the benefit?

[@JimYeats]

Isn't that what he said? He said to be "cautious" using asphalt products, and to check out Polywall's products as they have stuff that is suited for ICF. I think Steve just decided to use whatever "Tough and Dry" is. Some sort of compatible membrane. Looks like it's 100% acrylic per the website.

[@SN-iw6or]

@MattRisinger please would you be able to review SCIP (Structural Concrete Insulated Panels/EPS wire mesh panels). They have foam in the middle and wire mesh on both sides that are covered with concrete (shotcrete). They are very popular in Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries. This eliminates the need for surface cover on both sides - so no siding or drywall needed and are fire/insect/weather resistant as soon as the concrete is installed. It seems more logical than ICF. I'd love to hear your review of those.

[@SN-iw6or]

Something like this - CNBC video from 4 years ago but haven't seen this take off. kzbin.info/www/bejne/roOmepudg7mcbsU Here's a recent one from a house in California - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKa6oX2tr6x3qJI

[@Rocco101]

I looked at these 10 years ago matt but it came down to cost. Back then it was (with concrete) 90 a lineal foot. I got a poured wall with insulation for 60 a foot. Now those icf's are probably 125 a foot . Concrete now is ridiculous. Thanks for video Matt. I got some pictures for you of the Fortress steel deck we finished framing today.

[@av1204]

yup way too expensive now. concrete is soring so is plastic resin

[@David_Mash]

Why are they able to pour that tall of a wall? I thought most systems can only handle four blocks high of pouring at a time?

[@michiganengineer8621]

You go around the foundation at a fairly slow pace, that way the lower layers have a chance to START setting when you layer the next lift into the wall. At least that's what it has looked like during all the ICF builds I've watched.

[@rockys7726]

Why logix vs the other dozens of ICF blocks out there? The webbing doesn't look like it runs continuously up block seams so you will have dead spots to drill into.

[@1vegasdood]

What is a good homebuilding show that has multipled ICF or ICCF suppliers? I looked at IBS and they do not list any IBS vendors.

[@1vegasdood]

I registered for the 2024 Concrete show in Vegas....maybe it will be interesting...

[@Kanal103]

1:55 non-US watchers facepalm. Like... we have e.g. rebar 6 and guess what, it's 6 mm in diameter. Rebar 8 is... dramatic drumroll... 8 mm in diameter! And so on. But yeah, why wouldn't you complicate it, when you have a chance to do so? (no offence at all, just made me smile)

[@monty671]

what are similiar option to ICF? Can not use ICF. Would not be able to get insurance in state due to pests and termites.

[@raymondmcinturff3952]

No concrete for the basement floor???

[@montanatacticalhomesteader6623]

Building my own off-grid ICF house so I’m eating all this stuff up!

[@tylermanuel9423]

We have had horrible experiences with logixs this year, I'm assuming they are cutting costs. The blowouts are unexplained in the corners " not in a cut block" we started fully sheeting our corners due to it happening so often. Any1 else having random blow outs ?

[@kaiseranonymous]

We didn't have any issues with our Logix corners. 6 corners. Fully braced 9' 3" wall. Almost had a blow out where a section of cut blocks was forgotten to be reinforced is all.

[@offgridrv658]

Must have damaged the product or not braced properly. Not a single issue using Logix ICF.

[@00HiGhGuY00]

Should have went with Fox Blocks. They are the best ICF out there IMO.

[@mariansdraila]

I wander what happens with all the moisture that gets trapped in the concrete, because water does not travel through EPS! Also it's curious to see EPS used in this case because EPS it's not made for underground use, XPS being the correct material for this type of work as far as I know!

[@karlhungus545]

It's not an issue. My ICF is perfect after 14 years. If you know anything about concrete, slower curing is a GOOD thing. ICF has been around now for over 30 years.

[@Railcarman99]

I too wonder about the moisture trapped in the concrete. Won't the rebar RUST? When the rebar rusts, won't it EXPAND, cracking and eroding the concrete? While the concrete in highway construction has direct exposure to the elements (and the salt applied in winter), the norm now is to use epoxy coated rebar. That's why it's GREEN. Why doesn't all rebar used in any conctrete construction epoxy coated? Is it that expensive?

[@LogixBrands]

This is a great question. Logix ICF's are designed with drainage planes on the interior face of the block. Excess moisture typically weeps out from the bottom course if the mix is too wet. The ICF core provides a superior curing environment for concrete- it is desired to have even moisture levels for the mix throughout the cure, while not having exposure to any adverse weather or temperature conditions; All of which allows the mix to cure evenly and slowly. EPS in tandem with a waterproofing membrane layer is a great option for below grade use! Feel free to reach out to our Technical Support team if you have further questions.

[@00HiGhGuY00]

EPS is used below ground all the time. They even use it for infill for building freeways and bridges and many other civil engineering projects.

[@iwillnotcomply007]

In areas with termites and other aggressive pests, how does the ICF do? Is it an unreasonable fear that insects could/would tunnel through the foam?

[@seandeterman2499]

Totally anecdotal, but as a huge automotive enthusiast, I rarely see pests (besides mice) mess with insulation on vehicles.

[@mefobills279]

Matt did a show where they did a peel and stick polyguard membrane called TERM. Look up poly wall or polyguard. Term is a moisture and termite barrier.

[@LogixBrands]

Check out our TX Series ICF block! The EPS panels in Logix TX Series are treated with imadacloprid to offer a secondary layer of protection against termites. logixicf.com/products/product-line/logix-pro

[@sebastiantevel898]

I would have used Polywall stick and peel plus a dimpled board material as platoon, instead of what they did in here. Also the Glass insulating gravel could be used without the real gravel underneath. That was a bit overkill.

[@watashiwahatchi]

double on the 'build show' sign off!!

[@adubbelde1]

I set the Logix ICF's for my house. A 1500 SF 17 sided house. It's a deltic home.. So each wall is 8' and comes together at 21.177 degrees. It was my first time installing ICFs. It took about a week to set the house walls The attached garage took an afternoon to set. There's not much I would do different for the house, For the garage I would do things a little different. I should have cut the foam down 6" on the inside of the forms in the garage so that my slab would have continued to the exterior foam. Live and learn

[@bothellkenmore]

I just spent 1/2 an hour looking at Deltec Homes site and floor plans, they look really cool!

[@adubbelde1]

@@bothellkenmore floor plans are whatever you want them to be. You work with a designer. The house is rock solid. We love that our great room has windows all around where we live in the mountains.

[@karlhungus545]

@@adubbelde1 Yes, but changes to plans cost money. Better to start with an existing plan if possible and make changes all at once.

[@adubbelde1]

@@karlhungus545 The plans Deltec shows are examples. They don't really have fixed plans. That's why you work with their designer.

[@karlhungus545]

@@adubbelde1 I see. Is there a charge for that, or can you just make changes 'forever'?

[@onlyscience7120]

Artificial pumice, they should make concrete with that stuff.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

There are some companies that offer admixtures

[@gregoryhungerford6712]

What would that offer in the form of insulation for the floor? I’m about to backfill for my hydronic slabs in my Quadlock ICF home and have tons of pumice sand that I excavated out for the house footings and a pond. The quarry has cheap rejected p-gravel which is pumice. I would love to use that instead of expensive 2”underlayment foam if that would work. It’s common stuff here in Sun River, Oregon.

[@williammackey7243]

Matt, does anyone make ICF's with polyiso or PIR or PUR instead of xps eps?

[@lb7wade518]

Most termite companies in Texas and around the country will not do a termite treatment if the ICF’s are below grade!

[@buildshow]

Interesting. Wonder why?

[@andykross7242]

I’d love to see you do a Nudura XR35 ICF basement or a whole house with their block. 4” thick foam on the outside and the inside of the block. They also have a product called pre-buck that looks like a better option that one shown here.

[@michiganengineer8621]

Does the Nudura buck have the loops for rebar? That's what those looked like on the Logix bucks anyway.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

STAND BY MY FRIEND......I have one in planning, walls, floors, and concrete roof???

[@finntexbuild4809]

@@stevenbaczekarchitect9431 I built one in Manitou Springs, Colorado 3 story, subfloors and roof all ICF.

[@andykross7242]

Great to hear Steve, I’ll definitely be watching out for that build!

[@4philipp]

@@stevenbaczekarchitect9431 concrete roof? Now we are talking!

[@chrisdaniel2759]

Steve you’re looking trimmer every video!

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Thank you!!!

[@karlhungus545]

I did my walkout in my last build with ICF. It is nice, but there are some serious challenges with it too, and it is NOT cheap. I would have saved about 35% just doing my bottom part with regular framing...and I could have easily done it myself. Finishing the outside costs you a lot more, especially if you want stucco. Putting the electrical in also makes a huge mess. The chance of blowouts and leakage is high too, you really have to get a good contractor and/or make sure you brace properly. There is also a lot of waste from the cuts...way more than I thought there would be. SIPS might be a better way. That gravel is very interesting though...I will look into that for my next build next year.

[@mightykrum67]

I wanted to do SIPS... until I saw the cost. Crazy expensive. I priced out 12 suppliers; Double conventional framing and 30% more than ICF.

[@karlhungus545]

@@mightykrum67 Do you mean with labour factored in? To me, the big benefit of SIPs is that it's something I can easily do myself in a weekend, thus nullifying all of the labour costs.

[@mightykrum67]

@@karlhungus545 No labor, just the material. It would be even more with labor but least it wouldn't be much because its soo fast.

[@tracymankey9314]

That guy is amazing I wish he could build me a house they don’t build like around here

[@Fedgery007]

Agreed!

[@scottrodman]

Steve is the best!!

[@benoitdelorme5256]

You just miss other alternative about frost protection area with eps perimeter skirt ,cheaper $$ option to 5' deap section and more enviromental avenue

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Needed to get to substantial footing material

[@scottward2366]

I prefer the fox brand ICF blocks over logix

[@Fedgery007]

I’m looking to possibly use ICF in a house on the coast in Florida. I’m having a hard time finding a builder that knows how to do this. Which is crazy. They all just want to build with sticks. I don’t get it. Especially since they’re coastal builders.

[@buildshow]

Keep digging. You’ll find one

[@Fedgery007]

@@buildshow Thank you!

[@synergygreenbuildinggroup2541]

Didn’t anyone ever read the story of the 3 Little Pigs? The message seems pretty clear - don’t build with sticks where it can so easily blow away. This cycle of destruction and suffering needs to end. So many are suffering needlessly after hurricane Ian, such that we are considering setting up shop in Florida to help those choosing to rebuild in a more responsible manner. ICF construction offers a resilient and sustainable solution. Quite often even if you want to run there is nowhere to hide, better to build so that you can shelter in place and recover quickly.

[@saasynclassy7911]

i'm surprised there isn't a carbon credit for using products that are engineered to insulate your house and use captured carbon. it would make hundred year houses carbon-sinks that offset emissions further.

[@FredMcIntyre]

😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@MrTooTechnical]

Fuking awesome

[@sailingoctopus1]

To me, ICFs don't make sense. All that useful thermal mass is insulated from the interior of the property where it would do most good in modulating the temperature of the interior space.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

When you build a very efficient home like this one, the thermal mass matters very little as the loads are so small you cannot get energy in or out of the concrete fast enough........thermal mass is a has been for poorly designed homes

[@Z71hosestretcher]

It’s amazing the ignorance of some of these comments. Icf is not hundreds of dollars per block. You don’t have to only pour several feet per day. I poured 18 feet in one day and had one minor blowout that was fixed in several minutes. And the blowout was actually on a 9 foot section of wall that was over vibrated. Doing just the basement in ICF and then glued together wood and tape the rest of the way makes no sense. Build the whole thing in ICF.

[@homerepairguy1]

Looks like alot of waste, tbh. If ground temp below the frost line is temperate year round... an r value of 27, seems excessive, for the sake of stroking a designer's rocks. Js. Your only changing the temperature, less than 20 degrees, from finished space, to dirt below slab. Figure in the r value of a fiber reinforced 16 inch thick slab, as denoted for thickness, and explain then, how this place needs much more than a fart, to heat it. Love the walls. Should have adjusted the shoring to not angle a footer, unless your going to pour that deep. Square, straight, and clean. Every area. Beautiful work, and jobsite, to the GC 👍

[@FreekHoekstra]

Energy costs vary per region too, so it may still be worth it, Also comfort levels might be well worth it.

[@homerepairguy1]

@@FreekHoekstraan extra 200k not spent in a build, buys radiant heat flooring. Slippers, in the trash. Then the while thing us temperate. Heat that basement floor with a radiant water loop, and walk around however you choose. Anywhere in the house.

[@chrisdaniel2759]

Yeah I was gung ho for the idea of underslab insulation since I saw it on this channel, but recently they mentioned how using the Earth’s reliable constant temp could be a net benefit, even accounting for winter/summer fluctuations. When I finally find a place to build I think I’d like to find a pro consultant to help figure all this stuff out by tallying up all the tradeoffs.

[@FreekHoekstra]

@@homerepairguy1 its not 200k to add a bit of extra insulation, more like 10k Usually going from a normal construction to near passive house is only 7-8% total extra cost. And in some cases even less. And that includes way more then just that, thats fancy windows etc. (Based on paper from bcit which investigated this thoroughly) I’m nit saying thats nothing but its not 200k. And you will over time make that back in comfort and silence as well as reduced maintainance.

[@FreekHoekstra]

@@chrisdaniel2759 in most places the ground is it constantish 10 C/55f or so. So thats still a big heat sink all round. So unless you’re in a very hot area it’s still a benefit to insulate it quite a lot. However you don’t need to insulate it as much as the outside which could go down to like -20C or 20f As the difference is less large we don’t need as much. There are some people actually insulate straight down though, so that you use the thermal mass, heatig that up to room temp. but that gets pretty tricky fast.

[@ColeSpolaric]

I'm surprised that house needs a sump. Just send the drain tile out the hill and let gravity do the work.

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

Can't!! that river is very seriously protected by the community - sump to a french drain

[@cali2cool902]

I wish i could afford A POOL IN THIS TEXAS HEAT😢 i need to start saving for a pool...

[@bradkvanbek7148]

This project could have been so much better, ICF all the way to the roof.

[@ghettohey2388]

Why these ICF Manufacturers dont make a ICF Block for the very top thats flat is beyond me. I mean they have been manufacturing icf's long enough for them to include this type of icf for the top.

[@peterbeyer5755]

Or make a foam strip cap that locks onto the top nubs just like another row of blocks!

[@peterbeyer5755]

And what did they do…introduced the pro buck, exactly what i was talking about!

[@ghettohey2388]

@@peterbeyer5755 I actually just saw that myself cause I was curious if any of these ICF manufacturers have made top blocks.

[@cox2432]

Most times on custom homes your cutting to spec anyways depending on various elevations

[@brettrun8575]

Most pest control companies will not treat or touch a home with an ICF foundation because the foam provides a pathway for termites to come into the house undetected. Would never use.

[@ghettohey2388]

I mean it really doesnt matter in some states cause you build with them at your own risk cause pest companies wont treat your home for termites and that basically makes it to where you cant build with them cause your local building code official wont approve your building permit

[@michiganengineer8621]

several products have been approved as termite barriers for ICF builds, the question is have all the local building inspectors gotten the memo.

[@omgemilyhd4500]

Why can't they just use even numbers?

[@stevenbaczekarchitect9431]

It may work as an outside dimension.....or inside.... but can't be even on both

[@raymondpeters9186]

Pumicecrete is by far the best building material on the planet Pumicecrete is a mixture of 10 parts pumice to 1 part cement and 1.5 parts water mixed and poured into a set of reusable forms walls are poured from 12"to 24" thick pumicecrete is fireproof termite proof rust rot and mold proof non toxic and has a high R value and good sound attenuation solid poured walls means no critters can live in your walls Pumicecrete can be built for a fraction of the cost and time All doors windows electric plumbing HVAC are installed in the forms before taking a fraction of cost and labor Pumice is the only material that can go directly from the mine to the job site ready to use without any additional possessing and when Elon buys a pumice mine 80% of what HE builds the Tesla Home is free without supply chain issues and never an increase in material costs EVER Why would you build out of anything else

[@aliciaspence5974]

Cut-n-paste much?

[@Bonjour-World]

ICF == Insulated Concrete Form

[@linidagod5130]

I build houses using this system 20 years ago. Not new shit

[@craigcorson3036]

It bugs me that they just cut those Glavel™ bags to empty them, rather than dumping them out and re-using them. Way to unnecessarily add to the waste stream! Such senseless waste is why our landfills keep filling up. STOP IT!!

[@theresam567]

Wow, this seems idiot proof. Like I could do it, but won't because I am an idiot when it comes to building/construction.

[@johnwhite2576]

How are you approaching insects that will nest in that EPS insulation…