12 Project Profile: Casitas Vera Cruz

June/July 2007
The Insulating Concrete Forms Magazine
Exterior Finishes
Project Profile: Casitas Vera Cruz
Financing for Owner/Builders
Underslab Moisture
Barriers
Getting it Right the
First Time
sider oxydro
Inside This Issue
Features
10
12
15
20
26
27
Construction Financing for Owner/Builders
At least three ICF manufacturers are taking advantage of the
latest residential trend by providing financing for owner/builders.
Project Profile: Casitas Vera Cruz
This outstanding all-ICF neighborhood won Best Development
2006. It also shows just how affordable ICFs can be.
Wall Finishes for Commercial Construction
Several new finishes specifically formulated for ICFs may
dramatically reduce the time and labor involved in finishing big
walls.
Underslab Moisture Barriers
One of the most overlooked areas of the building envelope is the
slab. Here’s a look at why its important to waterproof it—and
what the options are.
The Importance of Value and Service
When all the costs are considered, value and service may be the
two most important aspects of the ICF sale.
Getting it Right the First Time
When a job goes wrong, the whole industry suffers a black eye.
That’s why every ICF job needs to be done right, the first time.
Departments
6
As I See It: Advancing the Industry
7
ICF News Roundup
10
In the News: Construction Financing
24
Design Perspectives
28
New Products
Publisher
Summit Publishing, LLC
12
Advertising Manager
Craig Shorts
Editorial Director
Clark Ricks
15
Circulation Manager
Monica Hall
Art Director
Jason Robinson
Webmaster
20
26
Brad Moulton
Contributors
Juan Garcia
Dave Jackson
David Lindsey
Wally Radjenovic
Steve Reiter
Michael Trunko
Summit Publishing
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Mapleton, UT, 84664
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fax: 801-494-3232
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ICF Builder magazine is the sole property of Summit
Publishing, LLC. Publishing schedule is bi-monthly:
February, April, June, August, October, and December.
Copyright © 2007 by Summit Publishing. All rights
reserved. Printed in the USA. ICF Builder is a trademark
of Summit Publishing.
On the Cover: An array of exterior finishes specifically formulated for
ICFs make big commercial jobs easier. This project used Sider Oxydro’s
Power-Kote finish. For more information on wall finishes, see the story on
p. 15. For more information on Sider-Oxydro, see the ad on the inside
front cover.
4 ICF BUILDER
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As I See It…
by Clark Ricks
Advancing the Industry
As insulating concrete forms become more common, the mainstream construction industry is finally starting to take a closer look at
the technology. This is being driven, no doubt, by consumer demand
for energy efficient and sustainable building practices. But another
major factor is the attention that ICF buildings draw to themselves.
I was contacted last month by a talk show host in California who
wanted to do a segment on ICFs. He discovered ICFs at a local school
that was being built with them. A college professor from one of the
nation’s top construction management programs called me just a few
weeks ago looking for information on ICFs. He’d seen a project in his
hometown and it piqued his interest.
My point is the ICF projects we build do more to boost awareness
of the technology than anything else. That’s why this magazine
organized the first industry-wide award competition: to recognize a few
of the projects that have moved the industry forward significantly.
Casitas Vera Cruz, an award winner from last year’s contest,
is a great example. The project was so well managed that two of the
nation’s largest homebuilders, Pulte Homes and Lennar Homes, toured
the development to learn more. The project is featured on pp. 12-14.
6 ICF BUILDER
It seems every ICF project, regardless of size,
reflects on the industry for better or for worse.
In recent months I’ve heard of two projects
which encountered some serious difficulties. The challenges on both
jobs can be traced directly to inadequately trained contractors. But
outside observers have tended to generalize and erroneously blame
the technology, when in truth, the forms have held up extremely well
under forces they were never designed for.
In other words, just as outstanding ICF projects move everyone
forward, projects that go poorly give the entire industry a black eye.
Beginning in last February’s issue, this magazine has run a lengthy series on the importance of training and support. The latest installment,
on p. 26, focuses on the value of service, support, and training.
For the record, both of the projects with difficulties have worked
out fine; just another evidence of the superiority of ICF construction.
ICF News Roundup
European ICF Hits U.S. Market
Another insulating concrete form has entered the U.S. market,
this time from Europe. Variant House
LLC is marketing a
post-and-beam design developed by Variant-Haus GmbH of Germany.
Jeffery Zwier, head of U.S. sales, says the major advantage of
the forms is that they are made from BASF’s Neopor polystyrene. The
silver-gray foam is considerably stronger than regular EPS. The blocks
are 50% lighter and up to 20% thinner compared to other ICFs,
without a loss of strength or insulation. Tests indicate Neopor has an
R-Value of 4.7 per inch. Blocks include molded-in-place furring strips
for easy attachment of finishes.
Variant House ICFs are made in regular EPS molding machines,
but manufacturers can save up to 50% in terms of raw materials while
attaining the same lambda value. The company is actively seeking U.S.
distributors. For more information, visit www.varianthouse.com or
call (305) 777-3849.
Fox Blocks Offers Local Support
Fox Blocks, a division of
Omaha-based Airlite Plastics
Company, has partnered
with Rotella’s Custom
Building Supply to provide
local support for builders.
Rotella’s already stocks many essential residential and commercial
building products, including windows, doors, exterior finishing
products, railing, decking products, garage doors, Simpson Strong Tie,
Windlock, foundation products, and window blinds and shades.
Now, they also serve as a manufacturer’s rep for Fox Blocks,
offering a full range of ICF support services: tech support, estimating,
project supervision, bracing rental, and accessories.
As Rotella’s is not a Fox Blocks distributor, customers can
purchase Fox Blocks at the same factory direct prices as any
other customer.
For more information, call 1-877-369-2562 or visit www.
FoxBlocks.com.
Tritex Expands Production Capacity
Tritex has added two production
facilities in the Pacific Northwest and
Southeastern United States, bringing
the number of plants producing the
Tritex ICFs to five. The Wilsonville,
Ore. plant is operated by Tegrant, formerly SCA Packaging of North
America. In the Southeast, Tritex forms will be manufactured by
Cellofoam in Orlando, Fla.
The Orlando and Wilsonville plants began producing Tritex in
May. The other Tritex production facilities are located in Colorado
Springs, Colo., Conyers, Ga. and Plymouth, Wis.
“We’re very excited to be able to better serve our customers in
the northwest and the southeast with these two new facilities,” said
Kevin Jones, vice president of manufacturing operations for Tritex.
For more information, visit www.tritexicf.com.
Truck Driver Manuals in Spanish
The National Ready Mixed Concrete
Association (NRMCA) has translated two
of it’s most popular training guides into
Spanish.
“With the increase of Spanish-speaking
drivers coming into the industry… these
training materials are an important way to
support the industry’s growth,” said RMC
Research Foundation Chairman Dominique Calabrese.
The Spanish version of NRMCA’s Truck Mixer Driver’s Manual
was released this past January. In March, the association released the
Spanish version of Concrete Delivery Professional (CDP) Program
Study Guide.
“Although all professional drivers in the concrete industry must
read and understand English well enough to pass their Commercial
Drivers License test, they will certainly absorb more of the CDP
information if they are able to study the materials in their native
language,” adds Calabrese
To order copies of either manual, visit www.nrmca.org.
Quad-Lock Releases ICF Promotion Video
In April, Quad-Lock
Building
Systems
Ltd.
released a new promotional
video, SAFE-R, The Solution
for Residential Construction, targeting homeowners interested in
building a concrete home.
The 12-minute video details why living in a concrete home is
more comfortable, energy efficient and safer than living in homes
built with other materials. In addition to the video, product brochures,
a photo gallery, and testimonials are available on the DVD.
The video also includes a time-enhanced video clip showing how
fast and easy it is to build with ICFs.
Fox Blocks Offers Home Plans, LiteDeck
Fox Blocks, a division of Airlite Plastics Company, has expanded
their product services significantly.
Fox Blocks now offers its customers an insulated floor and roof
system with the addition of LiteDeck to its product line up.
June/July 2007 Lite Deck is manufactured by Lite Form Technologies, South
Sioux City, Neb., and is molded at several regional locations
throughout the United States. Lite Deck is a custom, cut-to-length
EPS decking system that can be used for floors, roofs, and even tiltup applications.
The company has also added custom home plans to its list of
services. The 10 new house plans, designed specifically for Fox Block
ICFs by Design Basics Inc., can be viewed, specified and printed at
www.FoxBlocks.com by clicking on ICF House Plans.
Half of the plans have two-story designs, while the remaining 5
are ranch-style plans in a wide range of sizes. Typical of plans from
Design Basics, these designs are ‘woman-centric,’ emphasizing the
features that women like to see in home plans, since women make
over 80% of home-buying decisions.
For more information on either LiteDeck or the home plans, call
1-877-369-2562 or visit www.FoxBlocks.com.
Massive Habitat Project Uses ICFs
A massive Habitat for Humanity project in Indiantown, Fla. is
being built with ICFs, thanks to the generous support of Greenblock
Worldwide.
“This is a huge step,” said Marty Miller-Leveillee, director
of Habitat for Humanity of Martin County. Miller-Leveillee is
overseeing the construction of 58 ICF homes as part of an affordablehousing initiative in the area.
“Using Greenblock ICFs, we are able to construct more
efficiently, saving time from our previous building methods and the
houses will be more energy efficient, as well. The energy efficiency
is a huge long-term benefit for the families in these homes,” says
Miller-Leveillee.
“The Insulating Concrete Form Association has an ongoing
relationship with the Habitat family throughout the United States,
and since Greenblock is local to Martin County this project is a
natural,” said Jeff Alexander, president and CEO of Greenblock.
“Our installers at Insulated Concrete Walls had the walls up and
ready for concrete on the first home in eight hours.”
New PCA Newsletter
The Portland Cement Association has announced the launch
of “Concrete Thinking,” a new e-newsletter for members of the
building industry interested in sustainable development. The free enewsletter contains news and information about the environmental
benefits of building with cement-based products, as well as realworld examples of putting the products into use.
Three of the five stories in the first issue deal with ICFs.
ICFs Star at NAHB Green Conference
An ICF “green home” was the center of attention at the 2007
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building
Conference in St. Louis. Sage Homebuilders, which specializes in
sustainable design, is building a 2-story, 3,600 sq. ft. home in Creve
Coeur, Mo., using Fold-Form ICFs by Owens-Corning.
8 ICF BUILDER
In addition to insulating concrete walls, the home has several
other “green features,” including passive solar design, geothermal heat
pumps, energy recovery ventilation, and radiant barrier roof decking.
Sage Homebuilders is a leader of the green building movement in
St. Louis, and expects the Creve Coeur home to achieve the highest
level of certification in both the NAHB Green Building Guidelines and
the LEED® Homes certification. Photos and additional information on
the home can be viewed at http://sagestl.com/center.
Concrete Technologies Tour
The latest Concrete
Technologies tour, hosted
by the Concrete Homebuilding Council (CHBC)
was a fantastic opportunity to promote ICFs. While the CHBC is dedicated to promoting all types of concrete construction, this year’s tour
of facilities in and around Minneapolis, Minn., provided ample opportunities to learn about ICFs.
Polar ICF, Reward Wall Systems and Cemstone, the Minnesota
distributor of Reward ICFs, sponsored the tour. Cemstone hosted
them at their facilities, and Reward showed their Builder DVD on the
bus in between tour stops, which reportedly generated a considerable
amount of positive interest. The group also stopped at a private
residence in Minneapolis, where the owners offered their first-hand
knowledge of the benefits ICFs provide.
Chelsea Oxton, a marketing manager at Reward Walls, says, “It
was very productive and positive as far as promoting awareness of
ICF building and the benefits it provides. [The tour] was extremely
informative and everyone who went was very inquisitive about how
to build with ICFs and how they were different and better than
conventional building materials.”
ICF Home on a Show Floor
Most attendees at the spring home show in Hartford, Conn.,
were surprised to find a full-size ICF home in the middle of the convention center.
Built by The Connecticut Concrete Promotion Council, Hartford
Area Home Builders Association, and PolySteel Northeast, the 1,300-sq.
ft. home was erected during a 4-day period just prior to the home show.
An estimated 15,000 people toured the structure. The ICF exterior
walls—which were not filled with concrete—were left partially
uncovered for educational purposes. Seminars addressing a variety of
ICF and concrete topics were held throughout the 3-day event, which
took place March 2–4.
The Hartford HBA, which donated the exhibit space for the
home, was very pleased with the response. CCPC reports that inquiries
about concrete homes increased dramatically in the days following
the home show. Jim Langlois, executive director of the CCPC, claims
the most frequently heard comment was, “It doesn’t look like a
concrete home.”
The project also attracted a great deal of media attention, with
coverage from local newspapers, radio, and television stations.
June/July 2007 9
In The News
Construction Financing
Making it Easier for Do-It-Yourselfers
One rapidly growing trend in the residential homebuilding market is for the homeowner to act as general contractor during construction. By handling scheduling, bids, subcontractors, and the inevitable
jobsite challenges themselves, they save tens of thousands of dollars in
construction costs.
One mother of four in Tennessee estimates she will save her family almost $40,000 on their $265,000 home by being her own contractor for two hours a day. She’s working with the Owner/Builder
Network, which provides training, financing, and basic construction
management education for do-it-yourselfers.
A conventional general contractor, according to NAHB, typically averages about 21% gross profit margin, opposed to the 3% to
8% the construction guidance companies charge. Advantages for the
consumer are clear.
Several ICF companies are taking steps to capitalize on this
trend. Fox Blocks, Reward Walls, and Arxx all offer programs aimed
at helping ICF owner/builders get the training, financing, and equipment they need to ensure their project is successful.
While it is more lucrative to train construction professionals
planning to build multiple houses, in some areas, no trained contractor
is available, and in most areas of the country, ICF homeowners are the
primary drivers of industry growth. Additionally, it’s easier to train
homeowners to build with ICFs than it is to build using traditional
stick-frame methods.
Fox Blocks Partnership
Fox Blocks has created a partnership with Owner Builder Alliance
aimed specifically at servicing the do-it-yourselfer interested in building their own ICF home and serving as their own general contractor.
“If you would like to build your own ICF home, just like you
want it, where you want it, you’ve come to the right place,” the partnership website announces. The partnership will provide everything
from ICF home plans or design services, to financing, factory direct
pricing on materials, and step-by-step construction guidance.
Financing includes a zero-down, 3-in-1 loan for lot purchase,
construction costs and permanent mortgage. Construction guidance
covers the entire residential homebuilding management process, including timelines, scheduling, inspections, bid forms, agreements, and
so forth. They’ll even provide a tried-and-true subcontractor list and
an independent building inspection of each construction stage before
the code inspector arrives.
More information about this partnership is available online at
www.ownerbuilderalliance.com/icf/index.htm, or through Fox Blocks
website and toll-free number www.FoxBlocks.com or 1-877-369-2562.
10 ICF BUILDER
Reward 3-in-1 Financing
Reward Wall Systems has been helping owner/builders since
2003 with the 3-in-1 financing program it offers in conjunction with
MidCountry Mortgage Corporation.
“We’re very pleased with the results of the program so far,” said
Chief Operating Officer Hank Pfeiffer. “The volume of loans that
have been closed has matched our expectations. We feel the program is
working as it was intended.”
According to Reward, the goal was to provide a way for ICF
owner/builders to create the equity they need to build a new home by
acting as their own general contractor.
Steve Nelson, mortgage loan officer with MidCountry Mortgage
Corporation, explains the program this way. “When homebuyers
want to act as their own general contractors, they have trouble finding financing for their projects because they have no credit history as
homebuilders. That’s where we come in.”
Homebuyers often don’t have enough money for a down payment
either, and the Reward financing package takes that into consideration. “With the 3-in-1 financing program, we use the equity created
by the homeowners acting as their own contractors as a down payment,” explains Nelson.
First-time owner/builders may worry about the paperwork involved, but those who have gone through the process say it isn’t too
bad. “This program worked as smooth as silk. We recently closed
and are moving in now. The people at the bank were very nice to deal
with, and the whole program couldn’t have been better,” said Steve
Malm of Hastings, Minnesota.
Arxx Home Financing
Arxx Walls and Foundations offers a program that differs considerably from the first two. Their “Personalized Home Financing” program provides competitive, low-interest loans for all sorts of projects.
Currently, financing is only available in Canada, and the maximum loan amount is $40,000.
The program has some enormous advantages. For starters, the loan
is unsecured, meaning it doesn’t require collateral. The loans are backed by
a well-respected Canadian bank that charges competitive interest rates and
payments can be deferred up to 12 months.
Loans can be used to finance renovations or non-ICF improvements
like a dream kitchen, home theater or whirlpool tub. If the job includes
at least one completed Arxx wall, the project is eligible for financing.
Sherri Bebee, marketing director at Arxx, says the program has received significant interest since it was launched this spring. Contact your
local Arxx distributor for more details, or call 800-293-3210 ext. 216.
June/July 2007 11
Best Residential Development
12 ICF BUILDER
Casitas proved that ICFs are cost competitive even in affordable housing
developments. By panelizing walls before they arrived at the jobsite, IC
Walls was able to complete the exterior shells in as little as three days.
Photos Courtesy Steve Reiter/IC Walls
Casitas VeraCruz, a 133-home development in Bakersfield, California is
an outstanding example of superior
quality housing, marketed at an affordable price.
The development, located on a 17-acre
site in a working class section of Bakersfield,
was built using insulating concrete forms.
The project was awarded “Best
Residential Development” at the 2006 ICF
Builder Awards. The judging panel noted
that the developers did a fantastic job in
providing an energy-efficient home at an
extremely affordable price point. The panel
also cited the speed with which the project
took place as well as the attention the project
attracted, as major factors in the decision.
“The goal was to bring a high-quality,
safe, energy efficient home to the area at an
affordable price,” says Steve Reiter, marketing
director for Insulated Concrete Walls.
The finished homes, which vary
between 1,100 and 1,800 sq. ft, cost about
$112 per sq. ft.
“Because the goal was to minimize
costs, detailing was kept to a minimum,” says
Reiter. “However, floor plans were designed
to be functional by eliminating wasted space
and providing rooms families will utilize. With a minimum of 1,100
sq. ft., even the smallest home plan has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and 2
car garage; roomy enough for small families yet still affordable.”
Developed by Homecrete Homes, the neighborhood also
has open space for a small park and playground, providing a safe,
appealing place for children to play.
Homecrete Homes is the nation’s largest builder of insulated
concrete homes, and is currently working on similar energyefficient developments in the fastest growing housing markets.
“These homes will have a direct impact on the environment because
of their lower energy consumption throughout the development’s
useful existence,” says Reiter.
One way the developer was able to control costs was by
minimizing cycle time; the entire development was completed in about
11 months. Insulated Concrete Walls, a professional ICF installation
contractor, was hired to erect the exterior shells of the buildings.
Walls were pre-assembled in a controlled factory environment
and delivered to the jobsite in numbered, panelized sections. This
not only reduced jobsite clutter, but virtually eliminated waste and
weather-related delays.
Photos Courtesy Steve Reiter/IC Walls
An aerial view (bottom) provides a sense of the development’s size. The interior view of the kitchen/dining area
(below ) shows the quality and style of interior finishes used.
June/July 2007 13
ICF installation was so impressive that
two of the nation’s largest homebuilders
visited the jobsite to learn more about
the technology.
Using the panelized sections, a four man
crew could erect, align, and pour the exterior
walls in as little as a day and a half.
Production was so impressive that
representatives from Pulte Homes and
Lennar Homes, two of the nation’s largest
homebuilders, visited the project to
investigate ICF technology.
“This attention from the large
production homebuilders will result in
increased visibility for the entire industry
and ultimately lead to dramatic increases in
industry market share,” notes Reiter.
“ICF developments of this size are still
uncommon. Our hope is that this project
will serve as an example of what can be
accomplished with ICF construction.”
Photos Courtesy Steve Reiter/IC Walls
Have you worked on an outstanding
ICF project recently? Give it the attention
it deserves by entering it in the ICF Builder
Awards. Deadline for entry is Oct. 26,
2007. Complete rules, judging criteria, and
entry materials are available on the web at
www.builderawards.com.
14 ICF BUILDER
Designers used Dryvit’s Tuscan Glaze on sculpted EPS foam to recreate the look and
feel of old Venice on the San Marcos Mall in Texas.
Fortunately, exterior finish manufacturers have recently developed a number of
innovative coatings specifically formulated
for ICFs that meet these requirements.
Established Manufacturers
Photo Courtesy Mike Gandee/ORO Coatings
ORO, a new finish
specifically designed
for ICFs, will adhere
directly to vinyl
window bucks,
and can span the
differing substrates
without cracking.
Photo courtesy Dryvit Systems
It’s no secret that commercial construction is currently the fastest growing—and most lucrative—sector of
the ICF industry. It’s also far more difficult
and demanding than the residential sector,
and owners typically want an exterior finish
that looks great, requires no maintenance,
and is cost-effective to apply.
The ICFA reports that commercial
projects currently account for about 30% of
all ICF use. The commercial sector, however,
is growing three times as fast as residential,
and could account for 50% of all ICFs sold
before the end of the decade.
Energy costs, “green building”
mandates, and life-cycle/maintenance issues
are creating opportunities in this sector.
Schools, churches, condos, apartments,
and government installations are all prime
growth markets for ICFs.
Commercial projects require exterior
coatings that are durable, maintenance free,
relatively inexpensive, easy to apply, and versatile enough to create a wide range of styles.
Several products have been on the
market for years which work extremely
well with ICFs. These “textured acrylic
finishes” are usually applied with a trowel
over a basecoat and mesh. (See “Keys to a
Great ‘Stucco’ Finish” in the June ’05 issue
of this magazine, available on the web at
www.icfmag.com.)”
“Any EIFS finish works on ICF,” says
Mike Sweeney, marketing manager at Sto
Corp. “These coatings are designed for foam,
so they work great on ICF walls.”
Dryvit is one of the most popular brands
of finish, and is also one of the most versatile.
Derick Wiaderski, senior staff architect at
the company, says “When you look through
our catalogs, you’ll see that we can achieve
virtually any look you can think of.” Styles
range from traditional stucco to limestone,
granite, or Italian plaster. Dryvit can also imitate brick at a fraction of the cost of actual
masonry. It eliminates weep holes and expansion joints. Wiaderski adds that the company
can produce nearly any color, and send it to
the jobsite pre-mixed and ready to go.
PermaCrete is another acrylic finish
with a proven track record in the ICF industry. It’s one of the strongest, 10-12 times
stronger than the typical EIFS coating, according to Walt Lippincott, vice-president
of worldwide sales. It is the only cementious
coating with ICC approval for ICFs, and is
code-approved for both vertical and horizontal applications. Another major advantage for
commercial applicators is that it can be spray
applied to make big jobs go faster. Lippincott
June/July 2007 15
estimates experienced three-man crews can
apply up to 2000 sq. ft. a day.
Fossilcrete, a division of Shasta
Enterprises, is usually associated with
detailed custom work, but can be extremely
valuable on large-scale jobs for window
treatments, cornices, and other detailing.
Fossilcrete doesn’t need ties, mesh or other
reinforcement, and has the advantage of
being completely waterproof, extremely
durable (with a compressive strength of
2,700 psi) and easy to apply.
New Products
Several new exterior finish products have
recently been introduced that can create greatlooking exteriors while dramatically reducing
the time and labor involved in application.
ORO Coatings for instance, is a noncementitious finish system specifically
designed for the ICF market, formulated to
bond with polystyrene foam and protect it
from degradation.
Mike Gandee, vice-president of sales
for the company, calls the product “an ICF
problem solver” that virtually eliminates
callbacks. The product is waterproof,
extremely flexible, and will bridge gaps up to
¼” or more.
While not designed for use belowgrade, it does provide an excellent water and
vapor barrier for the ICF Wall. Gandee says
the product works well as a parge coat up to
6” or 8” below grade.
16 ICF BUILDER
The key to the system is ORO-Base,
designed to minimize the effects of wall
movement between the ICF and the finish
topcoat. The product is composed of polymer
resins, crumb rubber, and marble dust, and
utilizes fiberglass reinforcing mesh to control
the thickness of the basecoat.
The material is so flexible that it can
span differing substrates without cracking.
“There’s no problem with a change of materials,” says Gandee. “Seaming is not a problem.
It adheres directly to OSB and cement board
and absorbs the movement of the wall.”
“It also adheres directly to V-Buck,”
continues Gandee, “There’s no prep, no
anything. You just wrap the detail mesh right
around the V-Buck to the window.”
ORO-TopCoat is available in fine,
medium, and coarse textures and 24 standard
colors. Custom textures and colors can be
produced as needed, and in small batches.
Gandee claims marble dust in the
topcoat absorbs color better and retains
color longer than other products, and that
the crumb rubber keeps the product flexible.
He notes that the rubber is all post-consumer
waste that can contribute a point toward
LEED certification.
“We have an extremely strong
commitment to the ICF industry,” he says.
“We provide hands-on service by people
who really understand the ICF business.
We understand what can crop up, and we’re
there to help them through those issues.”
Photos Courtesy Mike Gandee/ORO Coatings
Photo Courtesy Sto Corp.
Any exterior finish designed for EIFS can be applied
to ICFs using similar techniques. The project above
used a Sto finish over Quad-Lock ICFs.
Jim Hempel of Advanced
Coatings applies ORO’s
basecoat to the Regatta
Condos in Newport, Ore. The
project involves 50,000 sq.
ft. of walls and an enormous
amount of window
detailing, so being able to
apply the product directly
to the vinyl buck was a
significant time saver.
Another recent entry to the ICF finishes
market is GigaCrete, maker of StuccoMaxICF. The product is a one-coat, impactresistant finish specifically formulated for
insulating concrete forms. Applied 5/8” to
¾” thick, the finish is literally bulletproof.
“It’s a silica sand based, ballistic-grade
stucco,” says Andrew Dennis, founder of
the company. “We originally developed the
product for hurricane resistance, but we’ve
received a tremendous amount of interest
from higher-end construction—schools,
banks, and even military barracks overseas.
Our tests indicate the finish will stop all
1st Runner Up Custom Home
Gornick Residence
Eagan, Minn.
June/July 2007 1
Photos Courtesy Sider-Oxydro
Sider-Oxydro offers a cement-based
stucco system flexible enough for ICFs
which replicates the look and feel of an
Old-World stucco finish.
18 ICF BUILDER
sidearms and even bullets from an AK-47
when properly applied.”
StuccoMax is extremely easy to finish.
While most products require a two- or threecoat process, this is truly a one-coat stucco.
It can be applied with either a trowel or
conventional stucco sprayer, and requires no
lath, mesh or extensive preparations. “Handtrowelled, the installer applies a thin coat
to cover seams and imperfections, then
applies the final coat the same day. Spray
applied, it can go on in one thick coat
which is then textured. There’s no mesh,
scaffolding rentals, or going back over
cracks,” says Dennis.
“This system offers significant advantages in speed, cost and performance,” he continues. “And even if the labor costs were the same.
StuccoMax will not shrink, and not crack.”
The company also manufactures StuccoMax-E, an ash-based product that also works
well with ICFs and is designed for LEED
projects and the “green building” market.
A third new wall finish product is
manufactured by Sider-Oxydro. “What
we offer is a direct-applied, one-product
system that recreates an Old World stucco
finish on ICFs,” says Ivan Burgand. “It’s a
true portland cement-based stucco, but it’s
flexible enough to be applied directly to the
ICF, similar to an acrylic finish. There’s no
metal lath, no ½-inch scratch coat.”
The basecoat and topcoat are the same
product, a bagged just-add-water system
that provides integral color at all levels. The
product can be applied with a trowel or spray
gun; some trowel work is required to embed
the mesh and texture the finish.
Sider-Oxydro also makes a below-grade
waterproofing system that is fully compatible
with the finish, which allows the finish to go
all the way to grade if necessary.
“When clients want an antique, old
world stucco finish, we can provide that at
a significantly lower cost than anyone else,”
says Burgand. “In 90% of the cases, we’re
cheaper than most EIFS finishes.”
So for all of the additional challenges
that commercial ICF construction presents,
there are products designed to handle them.
Whether it’s a proven product with
decades of performance, or a new system that
promises to outperform, options abound. In
today’s industry, there is a variety of products
that are durable, versatile, maintenance free,
relatively inexpensive, and easy to apply.
Photo Courtesy Jenni Matts/InsulationSolutions
A number of waterproofing and
drainage products are specifically
formulated for ICFs, and will help
ensure below-grade jobs stay dry.
For below-grade walls, the most effective
solution is a waterproofing membrane—
either a spray-applied water-based system
or a peel-and-stick sheet good—coupled
with a drainage component to relieve
hydrostatic pressure, such as a dimpled
drainage sheet. (For more information, see
“Foolproof Waterproofing for Below-Grade
Walls” in the April 2006 issue or online at
www.icfmag.com).
Many builders, however, fail to consider
the importance of waterproofing under
the slab, which is especially critical in ICF
construction.
“Moisture barriers are one of the single
most neglected materials we see in the
building trade in general,” says Juan Garcia,
a noted energy and building consultant.
“People pay close attention to vapor
proofing and housewraps above grade, but
they often completely ignore below grade
aspects, especially under the slab, which is
very unfortunate.” Garcia notes that when
properly installed, underslab barriers can
help in multiple areas.
Purposes
First, they should prevent moisture
from penetrating the slab. Even if belowgrade walls are properly waterproofed,
the occupant could still have a damp living
environment if moisture is allowed to wick
through the concrete slab.
“In every instance, a moisture barrier should be put down,”
claims Wally Radjenovic, president of Northwestern Ohio Foam
Products. “Concrete does, through capillary action, pull water from
the soil—even if the soil doesn’t appear particularly damp. The
white chalky finish you sometimes see on a slab is actually material
from the concrete precipitated on the surface by moisture.”
One easy way to test for this problem is to tape down a sheet
of plastic a few square feet in size to the concrete. Leave it in place
for 24 hours before removing it. If the concrete looks or feels damp
under the plastic, a vapor barrier should have been installed.
In some regions, water vapor isn’t the largest concern.
Radon, a colorless, odorless, but highly poisonous gas, can also
penetrate concrete. “Radon is generated from underground
uranium deposits,” explains Dwight Walker, an engineering and
technical representative for Cosella-Dorken. “Water vapor may
create damp conditions, but radon can be life-threatening.” Radon
is of particular concern in ICF construction because the building
envelope is virtually airtight, allowing the gas to build up in greater
concentrations.
“U.S. residential codes, such as the IRC, require underslab
moisture barriers in most instances,” notes Walker. “Section R-506
titled ‘Concrete floors on ground’ requires that whether the slab is
on gravel or native soils, there needs to be a vapor barrier under the
concrete.” Canadian codes require barriers only for slabs placed on
native soils. Significantly, the U.S. code says underslab barriers can
be omitted from garages, unheated structures, or if okayed by local
building officials based on site conditions.
ASTM E-1745 sets the material standard: an impermeable
sheet at least 6 mils thick with a 6-inch overlap at the seams.
Toll Free: 866.698.6562 • www.insulationsolutions.com
Options Available
“A good underslab vapor barrier should be made from a highquality polyethylene plastic,” says Garcia. “It should be solid and
should not break down over time, so avoid canvas or any other
woven-type materials. Anything that has a hatchwork or a weave is
subject to permeation.”
One popular underslab barrier is Viper VaporCheck, a tripleply, extrusion coated, virgin polyethylene membrane manufactured
by InsulationSolutions.
Bright orange in color, it’s available in three different
thicknesses: 6.5 mil, 10 mil, and 16 mil and comes in rolls 12’ wide
x 200’ long.
Dario Lamberti, product manager for the Moisture Control
Division at the company, says all three thicknesses are considered
“Class A” products according to ASTM standards, and that the
heavier materials are intended primarily to withstand the heavy
construction traffic on commercial jobsites.
InsulationSolutions also markets Viper Vapor Tape, a cold
weather adhesive tape made out of the same material for extra
moisture protection at seams, and Viper VaporPatch, specifically
designed for pipe extrusion patchwork.
June/July 2007 21
For jobs that require a thermal barrier, InsulationSolutions makes Insul-Tarp, which uses
closed-cell foam and bubble pack to achieve a
flexible layer of insulation under the slab.
Cosella-Dorken’s popular Delta MS
dimple membrane is also suitable for
underslab work. “The big advantage is that
it’s 20 or 24 mils thick where code requires
6 mils,” says Walker. “It’s durable enough
to survive construction and will actually
function as a vapor retarder.”
Walker notes that there is an ASTM
requirement for plastics in contact with
alkaline (e.g. concrete) or soil chemicals.
“Contractors unaware of this may buy the
wrong polyethylene and have it break down
in 4 or 5 years.”
With Delta MS, the dimples overlap
at the standard six inches and the concrete
holds the barrier in place. Although code does
not require taped seams for vapor retarders,
the ASTM standard recommends it. “For
radon control, seams must be sealed, and
Cosella-Dorken requires it as part of their
installation as a radon barrier,” says Walker.
A few products on the market can
provide a vapor, moisture, thermal and
sound barrier in a single product. Thermal
barriers are critical if the slab is heated with
hydronic or electric radiant heat, and any
situation where extreme energy efficiency is
called for. An insulated slab has the additional
benefit of staying closer in temperature to
the air instead of the soil below it.
Northwestern Ohio Foam has three
products that perform these multiple
functions. “The Barrier comes in 4’x60’
rolls, and consists of a 3/8 flexible foam
core laminated between two sheets of 3
mil polyethylene plastic,” says Radjenovic
at Northwestern Ohio Foam. The Barrier
HD has a 10 mil film on the top for better
moisture and puncture resistance. Barrier
XT has a ¾ inch foam core that doubles the
insulation value.”
The foam core is flexible, so it won’t
crack when walked on, and all of the
products come with self-taping edges at the
seam, to eliminate all penetrations.
Garcia says that it is possible to create
thermal barriers using other products but it’s
not as effective. “Usually you see a combination of multiple components, traditionally a 5mil vapor barrier with rigid foam board on the
top. Even though they only need a thin layer
of foam, thin boards break up, so they use 2”
foam boards then another vapor barrier on
top. There’s a misconception that they do it for
thermal considerations, but insulation values
level out; after an inch or so of foam, they’re
basically throwing their money away.”
How To Install
Installation of underslab barriers is
fairly straightforward. After the subgrade
has been leveled and prepared, the material
is rolled out and cut to length.
“You should design the layout to
minimize seams, and allow extra material
for the edges and any low lying areas,” says
Garcia. “Seams are always an issue, and even
architects will tell you they give an allowance
for energy loss on seamage.”
The new ASTM standard for seam
22 ICF BUILDER
Photos Courtesy Wally Radjenovic/Northwestern Ohio Foam
The Barrier makes it easy to install a moisture, vapor and thermal barrier in a single
product. Just unroll, tape and seal.
overlap is 6”, increased from 4” previously
(See ASTM E-1643 Standard Practice
for Installation of Water Vapor Retarders
Used in Contact with Earth or Granular
Fill Under Concrete Slabs). This wider
seam will eliminate virtually all water
vapor, as it will condense onto the barrier
as it travels horizontally. Lamberti, at
InsulationSolutions, says, “If you tape them
correctly, there will be no difference in
permeability rating.”
If the barrier is expected to function as
a radon or methane barrier, installation is
more complex. Lamberti notes that radon and
methane molecules are larger than water molecules, but the level of detailing is much higher. Lamberti notes that “the lower the water
vapor permeance rating of a material, the
more resistive it is to radon and methane.”
“The detailing is completely different
as a radon barrier versus a simple vapor
retarder,” confirms Walker at Cosella-Dorken.
“The membrane must be sealed around any
penetrations, and some sort of mechanical
ventilation system may also be needed.”
Once the barrier is in place and the
seams are taped, the concrete can be placed
as usual. Radjenovic cautions, “You do have
to be more careful with curing when a moisture barrier goes down, because virtually no
water is lost to the subgrade.”
With careful installation and the right
product, underslab moisture and vapor barriers
will help the ICF building envelope perform
even more efficiently, eliminate moisture
problems, and create greater indoor comfort.
June/July 2007 23
Design Perspectives
by David Lindsey
How I Learned to Think Outside the Stick-framed Box
It is not the same old stuff. If you don’t remember anything
else, remember ICF is not the same old construction. It is a whole
new way of thinking and designing. That is one of the things that
makes converting designers and contractors to ICFs so frustrating. At
the same time it makes ICF construction one of the most fascinating
building techniques ever developed.
ICF construction is not just an alternative to wood, steel, block
or conventional poured-in-place concrete construction. Buildings
that are designed for these types
of construction can be converted to
ICF, but that does not take advantage
of all the potential ICF has to offer.
Designing buildings specifically for
ICFs can open up new design possibilities, reduce construction costs,
and speed up the construction process.
I am a new writer for ICF Builder Magazine, but I have been
a practicing architect for the past twenty-five years and I have been
actively involved in the design and construction of ICF buildings since
1998. A structural engineer friend of mine first introduced me to ICF
construction. I was immediately fascinated with the construction
technique, but I would not use it. To be honest, it looked like too good
an idea and it looked too simple. There had to be something wrong
with it. He dragged me to ICF construction sites for a full year before
I conceded that I would work with it.
I can relate to other design professionals and builders when they
hesitate to work with ICFs. I have seen this hesitation time and time
again over the past nine years. I have endured the questions about
building ‘foam buildings’ coupled with the old horse-with-blinders
stand-by, “that is not the way my daddy did it”. To truly take advantage of ICFs, you have to change the way you think about construction
and oddly enough, you have to think in more simple terms. Let’s face
it, stick-built wood construction is very complicated as is steel and
conventional cast in place concrete. In each case we are attempting to
minimize the structural components and fill the voids with non-structural sheathing and blocking. These structures don’t even resemble
the final product until many other trades have completed their work.
What could be simpler than creating the shape of the building with
EPS forms and filling that shape with reinforced concrete?
ICFs look like concrete block, but they are stronger, more versatile and easier to erect. ICFs can create more shapes. They can cantilever. They can form beams and corbels. They can carry their own
weight in long spans. And as the workers like to tell me, “They don’t
get heavier as the day goes on.”
ICFs can appear to move slower than other forms of construction,
and it does take longer to top-out a structure. Of course this is because
ICFs are performing the function of several conventional trades
including structure, insulation, sheathing and
moisture proofing. It has been my experience
that once the ICF is finished, the building
reaches completion shortly thereafter. During the construction of a
160,000 sq. ft., six story condominium, the lower floors were being
sheet-rocked and painted while the fifth and sixth floors were still
being poured, and the building was completed three months after the
ICF work was finished.
I have been challenged when
I hear statements such as “you
can build a house with ICF, but
you can’t build a condominium.”
Then you build a condominium but
they say you can’t build a shopping center. It appears that you can’t
build any type of building with ICFs until you actually build it. I
have yet to find any building type that cannot be built with ICFs and
someday we will be building high-rise buildings with ICFs. There
may even be one in design as I write this column. Bless the fellow
that is doing it, because certainly there are those that are trying to
convince him that it cannot be done. ICFs are perfect for commercial
construction. Every motel now under construction should be ICF.
Every school should be constructed with ICF because ICFs aren’t just
for homes anymore.
Over the next several issues of ICF Builder Magazine we
will explore:
• Using ICF walls as beams to achieve longs spans over spaces like
parking garages.
• Casting steel roof members into the ICF walls to reduce the roof
framing and achieve a stronger roof structure.
• The use of integral ICF pilaster in walls.
• Elevating flood prone structures with ICF columns and beams.
• Balconies supported by ICF corbel brackets.
• Ornamentation using ICF to create dentals, cornices and other
relief that are a permanent part of the structure.
• Building pitched concrete roofs.
• And my favorite solution, where we supported an eighty foot
tall octagon tower on only four adjacent sides.
• We will also look at the building codes and the use of ICFs in all
building types and occupancies.
As you can tell, ICFs seem to be unlimited in their ability to
accomplish new feats. As I share the fun I have had building and
designing with ICFs, I hope you will share your ideas with me. I look
forward to thinking out of the stick frame box with you.
ICFs seem to be unlimited in their
ability to accomplish new feats.
24 ICF BUILDER
David Lindsey is a professional architect and owner of
IntegraSpec GulfSouth. He can be reached at [email protected].
June/July 2007 25
‘Value & Service’
Prevents ‘Dump & Run’
by Michael Trunko
“When choosing an ICF system,
like most other building materials,
price alone should not be the
deciding factor,” comments Hubert
Max Kustermann, CEO of QuadLock Building Systems, Ltd.. “This
is especially true in the ICF industry. Of
course, it is important to get the lowest price
possible for the agreed upon product. But
customer service creates the value.”
Customer service should begin with
the first contact and continue through to the
project’s completion. This includes timely,
accurate estimates; engineering assistance;
pre-construction meetings; on-time, complete
shipments; technical support; and local
inventory, representation and training.
“Builders who realize the importance
of value-added services along with product
price, do not have to worry about material
being delivered to their jobsite without
any support or training,” states Wendy
Davidoff, marketing Manager for QuadLock. “Something we see happening a lot,
especially now in a tighter market, is what
we call ‘dump-and-run’.”
Dump-and-run is when contractors
order product and it is delivered to the
jobsite, but there is no training and no
customer support. With an ICF system,
manufacturers should not leave new-to-ICF
builders to try and install it on their own.
“We regularly get telephone calls
from contractors who are building with a
competitor’s product but have questions to
which they need answers, such as how to
secure something or handle a certain corner
activity. So, we help them,” says Douglas
Bennion, Technical and Training Manager of
Quad-Lock.
Builders need to consider the ongoing
partnership – someone to help with technical
support, training and on-site assistance. Local
26 ICF BUILDER
representatives must be equipped to answer
questions, prepare detailed estimates and
provide inventory. The ICF manufacturer’s
headquarters should complement its field
offices with engineering and training support.
Without training, support and local
inventory, a project can become very timeconsuming and costly. Builders should deal
with an ICF provider who offers these services,
in addition to the actual building system.
“During my 25 years in the construction
business, I’ve seen a lot of companies come
and go,” Bennion says. “The successful ones
are those that offer a fair price for their
services and have a quality product. The ones
that try to sell on low price alone usually fall
by the wayside.”
“Anyone can eventually figure out a
building system, but the longer it takes the
more it costs you in labor, wasted material
and mistakes,” Davidoff remarks. “And,
time is money.”
Bennion adds, “You should always strive
to get the highest quality ICF system along
with exceptional service at a fair price.
Whether it is prompt return of phone calls,
on-time shipments or technical support.”
The Importance of Getting the Job Right
Regardless of which brand of ICF block
you use, it’s absolutely essential that the job
be done right, because observers don’t differentiate between contractor errors and the
technology itself.
“People still look at this as an alternative building technique, and they are very
critical of it because they’re trying to see if
it actually works,” says Rich Barker, a distributor for American PolySteel. “If you
have a job that’s done poorly—with walls
that aren’t straight, or true, for instance—
instead of saying ‘well, it was an improper
installation job,’ observers will usually generalize and think, ‘those foam forms don’t
work.’ One improperly done job affects the
entire industry”
Alan Johnson, an experienced ICF installer and president of IMS Masonry, has
dealt with the aftermath of a poor job. “The
general contractor had used an installer who
was inadequately trained. The walls were improperly braced, leading to a wavy wall. I was
consulted by a representative of the General
Contractor towards the end of the project to
assist with solutions for getting the project
finished. Consequently, due to a bad experience, the city was dead set against building
ICF projects in the future, and the GC said
he’d never build an ICF project again.”
A year later, when Johnson bid an ICF
job in the neighboring county, officials there
balked as well. He eventually did win over
the officials, by providing a history, resume,
and references to prove his company was
competent. “It’s pretty sad, but that’s how
it was,” he says. “They were just trying to
avoid the big problems they’d heard about.”
Barker has dealt with a similar situation. “County building officials were very
reserved about using us, even though we
had code approvals and there wasn’t a reason that they could deny us,” he says. “They
were very concerned about how the product
was going to be installed, who was going to
be installing it, and they were on the jobsite extremely often—three or four times a
week—during the installation portion.”
Johnson doesn’t fault the officials.
“They’re so caught up in the frustration that
they can’t see past the fact that the technology
actually works very well when used properly.”
Needless to say, this industry doesn’t
need bad publicity.
In truth, ICFs work extremely well,
even under adverse conditions and less-thanoptimal installation. The problem lies with
the training and certification of contractors.
“In the past, I’ve seen manufacturers shipping to people who think they’re Lego blocks
that don’t require a lot of skill to install,” says
Johnson. “But the fact is, during the pour, the
wall does move around, and may bulge in places if it’s not braced right. The bigger the project, the more complicated it gets. Unskilled,
untrained people don’t understand that,”
If you want to ensure the job goes right,
says Barker, work with a company that provides outstanding customer support. “Number one is a company that will work with the
contractor, train them, and actually goes to
the jobsite to ensure every job goes well. If
the contractor has a good experience with
the product, he is going to come back and the
investment will pay for itself.”
Johnson adds, “Everyone says they give
support, but there’s a big difference between
what the different companies offer. It would
be wise for all the manufacturers to be willing to be at the jobsite when a new contractor does his first job.”
Johnson also recommends that general
contractors pre-qualify those that can bid on
ICF installation work, especially on bigger
jobs. He notes that pre-qualification is a fairly
standard practice in masonry and other trades.
“To say qualified, experienced contractors will never have problems isn’t true,” says
Johnson. “But those occurrences will be rare.
Contractors who educate their employees on
proper installation procedures can produce
a great finished product. An educated contractor will find products and equipment
designed to assist with installing ICF. With
qualified professional installers, anyone can
have a successful project.”
June/July 2007 2
New Products
Topper for Cold Weather Pours
Insulation Solutions, Inc. has
developed a concrete curing blanket
to protect freshly poured
concrete. Manufactured
with laminated layers of
cross-woven polyethylene
and bubble pack, the
Topper contains a white
side and a black side to
correspond with weather
conditions. With the white
side facing up in warm weather,
the Topper will transfer excess heat
away from the concrete. In cooler weather,
with the black side facing up, the Topper absorbs the sun’s heat and
transfers it down to the concrete. This gives Topper the ability to keep
concrete warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, allowing for
a stronger cure. The polyethylene shell also allows the Topper to keep
precipitation and unwanted debris away from the pour. It is water
resistant, durable, flexible, lightweight and reusable. The Topper can
be utilized in many applications. For more information, please call
(866) 698-6562 or visit www.insulationsolutions.com.
Pre-colored, Pre-mixed Options from PermaCrete
PermaCrete has simplified jobs for exterior finish contractors.
They now offer pre-colored bag mixes and pre-mixed matrix
formulations.
PermaCrete’s seven different types of matrix
mixes are now available
in twelve different precolored bag mixes, previously only available in
white.
PermaCrete has
also begun offering
the matrix mix in
individual “PreMix
Pails,” that contain
28 ICF BUILDER
a special matrix formulation along with the bonding additive. The
mix will not set up in the pail after being opened and stirred at the
jobsite. It will retain it’s consistency for up to three days from the
time of original mixing. When applied in the normal thin coating on
surfaces, however, it sets up and cures very quickly as usual. The
standard strength characteristics remain unchanged as well. For more
information, visit www.permacrete.com or call (800) 607-3762.
STO Introduces Faux Brick Finish
Sto Corp. has released Sto CreativT Brick, a decorative wall
finish system that can be used over any prepared exterior surface such
as ICFs, EIFS, stucco, or concrete to create the style and elegance of
brick without the added expense and design limitations.
Jeff Turner, Sto Product Manager, points out that its much
lighter weight reduces structural requirements and allows you to use
it where brick won’t work. “What’s more,” he says, “you can achieve
a multi-cladding look without having to deal with the hassles of
multiple suppliers and trades, and dissimilar material combinations.”
It also prevents moisture penetration and air leakage.
The product is applied using the same methods as EIFS or stucco
application. Self-adhering templates are applied over the primer layer
to provide the appearance of mortar, and can be used to achieve a
variety of patterns. The finish layer can be applied in varying thickness
to achieve the desired stand-out of the brick from the mortar.
Sto CreativT Brick finishes are available in any of the StoColor
System 800 Colors. Mortars are available in any of the 42 colors in the
Sto Classic Color Selection.
For more information, visit www.stocorp.com or call
678-553-3278.
Cement-Based Waterproofing
Multicoat Products, Inc. is marketing a cement-based ICF waterproofing system that is fully compatible with standard acrylic finishes.
The system consists of a two coats of the water-based Elasticoat,
followed by a cement-based scratch coat, which provides a protection
and drainage function.
The fluid elasticoat provides the actual waterproofing, and the
two layers are usually spray applied, but can be rolled or brushed on if
preferred. The scratch coat is troweled on.
Rick Hovick, marketing manager for Multicoat, says the system
works extremely fast. “If the weather’s good, you can spray the two
waterproofing coats one day, apply the scratch coat the next, and
backfill the third day.”
For more information, visit www.multicoat.com or call
(800) 660-6727.
New 4” Core, Double Taper from BuildBlock
BuildBlock Building Systems, LLC, has announced two new
significant additions to their product line.
First, they now offer ICFs with a 4” concrete core. The lineup consists of straight forms, 90° and 45° corners. “Our new 4inch line is built with one of the strongest webs and form designs on
the market today,” said Mike Garrett, BuildBlock CEO. The 4-inch
line is currently manufactured only in BuildBlock’s Springfield,
Missouri facility but special freight subsidies are currently being
offered on qualifying orders.
Also this spring, BuildBlock expanded their 6-inch and 8-inch
product lines with double taper top forms.
“Our clients have been asking for a taper top form since
our inception, and with the new form we will be able to more
effectively compete in the commercial and large project markets,”
says Garrett. “ “In order to meet the needs of our distributors
and dealers nationwide, BuildBlock will continue to broaden its
product line with important new products every few months until
we exceed all expectations and needs of our clients.”
More information about BuildBlock and their forms can be
found at www.buildblock.com or by calling 866-222-2575.
Tritex Launches Ledge Form with Steel
Tritex ICF Products recently introduced a reinforced
brickledge block to
its Xillix product line.
The two-piece system
consists of a 9 ¼” form
and separate pre-formed
welded wire reinforcement.
The system is designed
to support brick and stone
exterior finishes as well as floors
and slabs. The pre-formed welded
wire reinforcement reduces labor costs
and construction delays because there
is no need to bend stirrups or install rebar
reinforcement for the ledge in the field.
Additionally, the wire is galvanized to resist
corrosion.
For more information, visit www.tritexicf.com or call
877-287-4839.
June/July 2007 29
Ad Index
440 Products, Inc. (Pro Set)
Air Tight Sprayfoam
18
Amazing Brace
14
American PolySteel
27
Amvic Building System
9
ARXX Building Products
25
Brecon, Inc. Vibration Technology
29
Cosella Dorken Products, Inc.
3
Dryvit Systems, Inc.
BC
Epro Waterproofing Systems
IBC
Exaktime, Inc.
Fine Line Footing Forms, Inc.
5
17
Fossil Crete
8
Fox Blocks
23
Giraffe Bracing
30
Greenblock Worldwide Corp.
8
HOBBS Building System
21
Insulated Concrete Walls 13
Insulation Solutions (Insul-Tarp)
30 ICF BUILDER
6
9
Insulation Solutions (Viper)
21
Lite Form Technologies
(Lite Deck)
14
Metwood Building Solutions
11
Mono-Brace
22
Northwestern Ohio
Foam Products
29
ORO Coatings
19
PermaCrete
17
Plumwall
13
Quadlock Building Systems, Inc.
26
Reward Wall Systems
11
Sider-Oxydro, Inc.
IFC
The Barrier Insulation.com
25
Vinyl Technologies (V-Buck)
30
June/July 2007 31