We are considering using ICF for our build and just looking for peoples opinions as to whether its the way to go or not? Would love to hear from anyone who has gone through the process & is living in the house, did you have any problems? What system did you use & why?
Thanks a mill,
Aishling
Hi Aishling,
Yours is a question not too frequently asked.
I have no direct experience of it but I'll offer a few words of advice.
ICF is has the concrete sandwiched between two pieces permanent formwork made of of insulation.
Its almost like an inside-out cavity wall, which has the insulation sandwiched between two block leaves.
As with any technology using concrete, the quality of the pour is paramount and careful placing from a reasonable height together with properly controlled vibration of the mix to get rid of cavitation or "holes" is required.
Use someone experienced with the particular working method and system if you want to avoid disasters, from correct placement of the steel to ensuring the formwork is sealed and braced before the pour.
Also concrete is quite caustic so you'll need to protect yourself and ensure all others are protected while working at or near it.
Concrete workers can develop terrible lesions on their skin by not using protective gloves and in particular their feet because they wear laced boots instead of sealed rubber boots.
The concrete goes down the inside and partly sets and the blistering has to be seen to be believed.
If you're serious about this you should find a general Safe Site Pass course and a specialist course for concrete work if you intend to get involved at any level.
Plus, if you're thinking of building by Direct Labour, this makes you the contractor and you're liable for ensuring only competent people are employed to do this work and for co-ordination deliveries, pourts and dealing with overspills, collapses and surplus.
The below links were pretty easy to come by:
http://www.icf.ie/
http://www.amvicireland.com/
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General Discussion
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Overview of the product and method
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulated_concrete_form
Take note of the problems of adding, widening or repositioning doors or windows later.
On a thread in boards.ie earleir in the year, there was an ongoing dispute over tracing of leaks on one job.
Given the nature of concrete and the enclosure of the insulation, the interior of the building can develop high moisture content in the first few weeks after completion.
Remember these persons writing these websites are selling something.
I have no connection to these companies and no experience of their products.
I include the links to illustrate the general concept - this is not an endorsement of the products.
You might also want to read the Self-Build FAQ on this forum if you're thinking of self-build.
ONQ.
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All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.
