I am a small time owner builder(1 house every 2-3 years) that would like an icf basement on the next house. The only problem is i live in a rural area where there are no installers. We do have a menards and they sell fold-form icf forms. I have done the research and think i can handle the job but i have no way to rent bracing and buying bracing for one job is not an option. My idea would be to build wood bracing using my 4/8 osb sheathing for the future walls and roof. Could i just stack the icf and face it on both sides with 1/2 osb and brace it with 2/4. After the basement is done just reuse the osb on the walls and roof. It seems like it would almost be blowout proof that way even though it would be a lot more work than commercial bracing.What am i missing? Any other suggestions?

You have the right idea, but if a form needs that much additional labor, why not just pour a standard concrete wall and add foam later? It seems that if you have a big box store in your area you should have some Icf bracing floating around. We could supply you with the appropriate icf form for your project and even ship one of our bracing sets.

It's so hard to answer when a poster does not indicate where they are located!

I was recently contacted by an Architect/Dist to install fold-form, after explaining to the client the differences between fold-form and other ICF's, they choose to go with another ICF block. You might wanna read this : http://www.greenbuildingtalk.com/Forums/tabid/53/forumid/4/postid/21351/view/topic/Default.aspx

gillette wyoming

thanks for that information. i will look for other options.

We have used ICFs for about one project a year for the last 10 years or so. I have never used a bracing system. We always build fairly simple bracing built of 2x4's. We use 2x12's for sill plates on our walls. These become walk planks while pumping the walls. The other wood is recovered after the pour and used for framing and such. The installation specs from several manufactures used to include directions for building this braciing system. You should check with your chosen supplier to see if they still supply these instructions. If not, contact me, and I'll fax you the info.