Using ICF

Although it looks new and different, anyone with construction experience can quickly get up to speed with ICFs. An ideal crew has a mix of concrete placement and carpentry experience. Once the crew has some practice, each ICF-built home requires less skilled labor and less total labor than a wood-framed home. And ICFs are very lightweight, so crews stay fresh through the day. Likewise, ICFs present no problem for the sub-contractors who come after the walls are poured. Since holes, chases and rectangles are easily cut into ICFs with a knife or saw, installation of mechanical systems is a snap The fastening of drywall and lap siding is just as fast and easy. And mid-course corrections, such as moving an opening, are no big deal - just saw it out and re-form. It's not more difficult to make changes to an ICF wall - it's just different.

ICF homes can be designed in any style, and will accept any traditional exterior finish including vinyl or wood siding, stucco and brick. Because custom angles and curves are easily created, it's simple to build in bows, bays and radiuses. And ICF systems accommodate any of today's most popular design features, such as tall walls, large openings, long floor spans, and cathedral ceilings.

Originally developed in Canada (where concrete home building is standard) ICF systems have been used successfully around the world for more than 40 years. Tens of thousands of ICF homes have been built in recent years throughout the United States and Canada. They have proven successful in every region and climate, from Orlando to Calgary. ICF systems are accepted by all the major model codes in the U.S. and by the National Building Codes in Canada. Several major european countries are now building with this system on a massive scale. It is recognised in Spain and most of europe and passes all necessary regulations.

Recognised throughout the industry as the company that set the standard for training and technical support, PolySteel is one of the most user-friendly building systems available. PolySteel UK can provide you with the field training and support you need to complete almost any project successfully.

Below is a brief look at the 10 basic steps you need to follow to complete a successful project:

Stage One - Footings and Slabs Install a standard, level, footing or slab with rebar placed at the intervals required by your building design. Mark the perimeter of the wall with string or chalk lines to guide the placement of forms.

Stage Two - Placing Forms Start with the corners and work towards the center of the wall. Set forms on the footing or slab by applying a bead of foam adhesive, or by setting the first course in wet concrete ("wet set"). Subsequent course of forms can be placed in a running or stack bond.

Stage Three - Window & Door Openings Window and door openings are formed with "bucks", to the rough opening dimensions required using VBuck or properly prepared lumber. PolySteel forms are cut to fit to any shape and size of openings.

Stage Four - Bracing Proper bracing will ensure straight walls. Corner bracing should be placed as soon as possible. Window and door openings should be braced and uninterrupted sections of wall should have bracing every 6 to 10 feet.

Stage Five - Steel Reinforcement Proper reinforcement of PolySteel walls is achieved by placing vertical and horizontal rebar as required by the design of the structure.

Stage Six - Concrete Placement After the walls are checked for plumb and straight, and the job site is properly prepared, concrete is placed in the walls with a pump. The proper concrete mix, slump, placement equipment and crew are essential to your success.

Stage Seven - Finishing the Wall The top of the wall is leveled off (screeded) and anchor bolts are placed to secure the top plate. In high wind areas, hurricane straps are placed directly into the concrete.

Stage Eight - Install Floor & Roof Systems For intermediate floors, the rim joist (ledger) is anchored to the PolySteel wall with a Simpson ICF Hanger system, or anchor bolts. Roof trusses are installed to the top plate or straps as you would in any other type of construction.

Stage Nine - Install Utilities Electrical and plumbing lines fit easily, and in accordance with code requirements, by simply cutting a channel intot he foam with a hot knife and placing the wiring or piping into the wall. Larger plumbing lines may be required to be set in place prior to placing concrete.

Stage Ten - Interior and Exterior Finishes Drywall, and even cabinets, can be screwed directly to the steel attachment studs in the PolySteel forms. Stucco, siding, brick, stone, or other finishes can be secured easily to the PolySteel forms.

Affordable Concrete Homes
Within the last decade many homeowners, builders and architects have come to realize the superiority of the ICF home and the ICF boom is under full swing. By 2015, ICF homes are expected to make up 15-25% of all new homes built. More and more homeowners are looking for quality-built homes that will save on heating and cooling, and also withstand natural disasters. As the oil prices continue to rise, more and more homeowners are seeing that cheap, stick-framed homes are eating into their retirement funds, while the minimal cost to heat or cool an ICF home may afford the concrete home owner an entirely more comfortable standard of living. If you choose to build ICF, rest assured we have experts here to support you all the way.

With ICF homes, the equation is simple. No Rot = Less Repair and Maintenance. Neither polystyrene nor concrete will ever rot or rust. Concrete can even be exposed to the elements for centuries with few ill effects. Reinforcing steel, buried deep inside and protected by concrete's alkalinity, does not corrode.

Colours

A vast range of colours are available to the designer offering high colour fastness and resistance to UV light. High quality material and colour samples will be provided upon request. We colour in-house which means if you need more its not a 2 week delay.