ICF Home

[Gidget]

Has anyone built an ICF home? It is in our plans to do so. Wondering if anyone else has and can share.

Thanks
G

 

[Smiling JOe]

I've seen several built around here. What are you wanting to know?

 

[Gidget]

I've toured one and loved it - just wondering about cell phone coverage and pros/cons first hand. I know about the insurance savings and the energy savings. Just curious if anyone had any comments I might not have read online.

Thank you
G

 

[Chandra]

Gidget,

Take a look at the link below for another look at ICF's. The website is for Omnicrete, which I wouldn't say I'm for or against their particular product, though if you're seriously looking at an ICF system, I would also consider AAC (Aerated Autoclaved Concrete) and SIPs.

http://www.omnicrete.com/COMPARISON OC vs POLYSTYRENE.pdf

Choosing an appropriate building material is really a personal choice about priorities. What are the features that are most important to you?

 

[Smiling JOe]

I bet you can google a search for "problems ICF" and find some things of which to be aware.

 

[ASH]

I'd be more worried about steel studs in the interior walls thatn the surrounding concrete. I have steel studs in my showroom walls and can hardly get a signal in my office. I usually keep my cell out in the main open area of the building to get a decent signal.
I have worked on several ICF homes and could ask homeowners if they would be willing to discuss their pros and cons with an interested party and get you names if you'd like. I know of homes from Gulf Breeze to Stallworth to the Retreat to Carillon if it might help.
I know they can sure take a storm.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Getting a phone signal around the concrete is pretty easy by purchasing an external antenna booster, which has a receiver outside of the house, with a cable going to a repeater inside your home.

 

[scooterbug44]

I am also quite interested in them - they seem great from an insulation standpoint, but one issue/concern for me is that they can add 5-6% to the overall cost of the house. I imagine that is easily made back w/ energy or labor savings though (especially since one of the other things on my list is "insulate the sheet out of the place")

There are the ones that are like little Lego blocks, but there are also the "slab" type - has anyone used them that can give us info?

 

[Gidget]

Big THX to all of you. Lots of good info.

My top reasons for wanting ICF:

safety
green/energy efficient (gonna have solar also)
looks great

We have a contractor who built one for some people on 30A and it is incredible. Ours won't be as grand that's for sure, but still will be efficient and the size we need - no more.

Any info any of you have that you can share - like, "I wish I had done this or that" would be most welcome.

Thanks again
G

 

[ASH]

Energy efficient and green go hand in glove. Research your options for everything from insulation to sun orientation to natural lighting. I see many people throw a patio on their home never thinking about what it would be like to actually sit out there in the middle of the summer.....baking. I think a more efficient idea is having patios in different locations to take advantage of where the heat or cool is during different times of the year.

Insulated Low-E glass for windows and doors. The savings on the energy running the HVAC will pay for the Low-E in about 8 years time. And you can't put a dollar amount on comfort level inside the home.
Yes, I sell windows and doors so I know a little bit about them.

Proper positioning of items such as roof overhangs, shrubbery or a fence can also help cut energy costs by shielding the home from the worst sun.

Sounds like you'll have fun pulling it all together. Good luck.