Back in Indiana in particular, where I resided 22 years, they used a lot of it. Over here in Florida, I have not seen it.
I love the concept of ICF’s ( Insulated Concrete Forms) especially when you install the build-in ledger board so you can hang your 12’-24" deep floor-trusses in between the walls, from the basement foundations, where you start with a key in the slab, all the way up to the roof with the hurricane-straps.
I would really welcome comments and reactions from both sides, Builders and Home-owners.
I have built several buildings and several additions with ICF’s and LiteDeck forms. I have used a few different types and brands. Some forms install easier and quicker then others. But, in general the forms install rather easily and quickly with just a few people. On a typical 1,000 - 5,000 square foot project I would have 3 - 4 people putting up the forms. For the most part the form installation doesn’t require very skilled labor. The steel schedule is easy to install in most ICF’s and you just follow the Engineered Specs. But, the shoring and bracing requires the skilled laborers and takes time. This has to be done right and if it is not you can have some really big problems.
The nice thing about a good ICF is that to finish the exterior and interior can be pretty easy. Dry wall can be screwed into intergrated internal straps and siding, stucco or stone can be applied rather easily for the exterior finish. But, if the shoring and bracing wasn't done correctly and the ICF wall aren't straight and plumb you will have major issues finishing.
I like the sound absorbing qualities ICF walls have when used for Home Theaters and Gyms especially. I use ICF walls in conjunction with LiteDeck for terraces because it allows for additional storage or living space under the terrace. Also the terrace could be stoned or bricked and have radient heat installed into the LiteDeck slab which allows for the melting of snow in the winter ( New Jersey ).
Above is a Terrace made with ICF's and LiteDeck. The terrace has Intergrated Radiant tubing to keep the snow off if wanted during the winter. And usable living space under the decking.
Every ICF structure I have built has been worth the investment in terms of heating and cooling energy saving and how solid the structure is.
