ICF vs Concrete Block

MacDanger

Hi

Just starting a new build in the West and I'm wondering what people think on here about the pros/cons of ICF vs traditional concrete block? From reading online and talking to a couple of people, it's

• CB is cheaper but blocklayers are in short supply at the the moment so that gap is narrowing
• ICF is quicker than CB (esp with a shortage of blocklayers)
• Every builder knows how to build CB, not all will with ICF so this may reduce the number of contractors bidding on a job

Anything else that we should consider? Which would you go for?

As an aside, with ICF, are there potential issues with bolting heavy things to the wall since the concrete is ~10-15cm from the painted surface? Say for example, you're doing a built-in shelving unit that might be holding something heavy, where is it anchored? Just into the plasterboard? Or does it go all the way into the concrete? Or is this a non-issue?

Thanks

tom1ie

Don’t know about the fist points, but regarding bolting something to the wall, is that not the same thing as fixing something to an insulated plasterboard wall?

If so, the shelf or tv etc must be fixed to the solid wall behind the plasterboard.

Problem is you have to go easy enough with tightening up the fixings so you don’t “crush” the insulation, at the same time as making sure you have enough of the fixing anchored into the solid wall.

Get long fixings.

BryanF

you’ve started building and your wonderings this? Is the foundation poured?

I used ICF foundation system, great job, reduced: digging out, concrete, steel quantities.

Have you someone to detail the ICF? The only job I saw with ICF walls, was let down by the lack of arch drawings resolving any of the details.

MacDanger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118334518#Comment_118334518

"starting" not "started"!!! Only just got planning so well away from actually starting. Haven't started to detail the ICF yet - I presume that's the engineer?

Biker1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118334790#Comment_118334790

Details are on the agrement cert.

Dudda

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118335193#Comment_118335193

Different thing. The architecture or engineer need to take those standard details and incorporate them into the design of the house. This new set of detailed drawings is what the builder will use to price and build the house.

It raises a good point though that as contractors aren't as familar with the ICF you might need a more comprehensive set of detailed drawings. I'd be all for a more detailed set anyway as that reduces issues and claims for extras later onsite.

fatty pang

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118335193#Comment_118335193

A lot of the ICF systems are not using the details displayed on their Agrement certificates when it comes to window/door apertures...which is no bad thing as many of their details aren't exactly robust. Door threshold details are almost non-existent (surprise, surprise).

Definitely invest in a competent architectural technician to detail the window interfaces (most window suppliers will generally be as clueless as the ICF supplier) and ask him/her to pay particular attention to the window/door fixings. Nearly all the ICF systems I have seen on the Irish market are closing the cavity with EPS despite their 'certified' details usually showing timber bucks. As the OP has noticed, the load bearing concrete core will then be some distance away from the window/door frame and strap fixings are going to be 'difficult' for an attentive Engineer to stand over.

MacDanger

We've finished this build now, very happy with it overall and since I asked a good few questions on here over the last couple of years, I just wanted to post up a few things which may be helpful to others (@mods, if mentioning supplier names as I have below isn't allowed, let me know and I'll remove)

Windows & doors:

Originally had planned to go with WRL in Galway for everything but then they were looking for 100% payment before installation so we pulled the plug on that and went with Munster for the windows and a small enough operator in Galway called Carlos Windows for the doors; we got Reynaers sliding doors and a Despiro front door which were fairly expensive but we were very happy with them. Both supplier were good with aftersale service also

As an aside, our front & sliding doors openings were designed as 2.5m high which is part of what drove the costs so I'd advise checking those dimensions during design as once you go beyond standard height, it gets expensive.

PV panels:

Went with a company in Sligo called Solar Generation and was very happy with them; there was a potentially big issue on the first day of the install but they dealt with it extremely well and again, we were very happy with them

Shed/Garage:
Got a Steeltech shed from the Ballina depot and when we were buying, they committed to installing the finished floor afterwards (in order to make the sale I guess) but then reneged on it afterwards. Was dealing with the brother of the owner so it's not like it was some new sales guy or anything. Very disappointed in it and really wouldn't recommend them unfortunately.

Tiles:
Went to Tile Superstores in Ballina and were very happy with them, prices were a good bit cheaper than others from what we were looking at. Delivery, etc. was all very well organised and had no issues

Also used McHale Flooring in Ballina for the R11 patio tiles, v happy with them also.

Wooden flooring:
We only had a small area (40m2) of wooden flooring and went to Connacht Flooring in Castlebar; showroom is a bit of a mess and Mark gives you the impression that he's not too well organised but when it came to delivery and installation, they were very good.

Sanitaryware:
Went to Hursts in Castlebar, Mary in there was very helpful and their prices were as good if not better than anyone else we looked at. Delivery, etc. all very good too. We had a small problem with one sink unit which took an age to resolve and they were poor enough when it came to that so a mixed bag overall

Kitchen:
Went with a very small operator based in Killala who did the kitchen, utility, wardrobes, built in cabinetry in the sitting room, etc. Very happy with him, he was great to deal with

Got the kitchen top from a place in Ballyvary, he was hard enough to get a hold of and not great on communication but when it came to delivery, everything was fine so we were happy overall.

Furniture:
We've been to McDermotts in Castlebar, EZ Living in Castlebar and Carrowkeel in Ballyvary for our kitchen table, sofa, chairs, beds. etc. and have been very happy with all of them.

Appliances:
Bought most of these online from a few different places incl. Sheridans in Castlebar who were very good to deal with and a place called Callaghans in Donegal