Does anyone make a " lopsided" block with extra foam insulation on the outside?
Would this style provide better performance?

Thanks,  John

as a matter of fact there are a few companies: Quadlock is one of them and then there is a German block called Isorast. Yes, they do provide better performance, the question is: Is it worth the extra money? The next question would be: What is the whole envelope package like and how do you propose heating, cooling and air-exchange? Where are you located - in a cooling or heating climate?

Thanks.  It was a " just curious question."  I already have an ICF house.  Quite a bit of pro/con discussion regarding ICF's on another forum, so I thought I'd come here to ask. Goes to the effectiveness of the mass and whether it would be better with insulation on the outside.

John

I hear you, John. Might that be the SIP forum?

You're fast.  Breaktime. 

John

Man, gotta read up on that forum now too, eh!?

another block would be ISOMAX. This system provides panels for individual requirements. The panels themselves can be any thickness. They are then seperated by a concrete web system that look much like dumb-bells.

Manfred,  Do you have any experience or opinions about this block?  I keep coming up with a website that appears to be a local franchise.  The info is mostly a sales pitch for ICF's.  No technical page explaining their system for a builder. They should be ashamed.

John

Don't know what to say to that. I know Isomax from Europe and that there are two locations right now in the US, one in Missouri and one in Arizona. What area are you in?

I'm near Arizona, four corners area.  I've e-mailed the Arizona branch and we'll see what comes.  Thanks for your interest.

John

Great, let us know what you think of it.

John I was just made aware of your request and hope to be of service. Sorry about the lousey web-site www.isomax-az.com but be rest assured that what we lack in websites we make up for in proformance! Please call or send me an E-mail

Heinz Horn
Isomax of Mo.
314-660-9661
IsomaxHH@aol.com

Quad lock.

Mark Ross

Logix has just released their version of that block, you can find out about it on their web site.
Paul Stevens

I spent this past Saturday morning with Don from Isomax-Phx. Don is very knowledgeable and has a real passion for all-things-green. He's developed a wall configuration made of hardi board/6" concrete/4" foam (from interior to exterior). This has the advantage of exposing the mass to the interior while super-insulating the exterior.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory just released a study where this particular configuration provided the greatest energy benefit in my area. In Phoenix it proved to have 246% greater dynamic thermal performance than wood-frame. That's quite a bit better than the already good performance of a standard ICF configuration at 156%. I'm taking a close look at this in making my choice of wall types.

You can find the ORNL study by doing a web search for "Dynamic Thermal Performance and Energy Benefits of Using Massive Walls in Residential Buildings" . 

Here's a summary of the study findings.

Phxplun

Thank-you for the above post. Standard drywall is of course replaced with either Hardie, MgO2, Viroc or any other cement board that has the characteristics of not rotting, fireproof, minimal water absorbtion as well as deformation. Adding 20mm PEX tubing (as is described in Heated - ICF wall - in your case " Cool ICF Wall" - full pun intended) the performance will be "off the charts".

Give Don my regards!!!

In response to the question that started this thread. Another option for a "lop sided" ICF system (not a "block")

TF (The "Vertical" ICF System) for details: www.tfsystem.com

Sipper

The TF (Knock-down system) certainly has it's strong points - and; as all ICF systems - it's weaknesses. I hereby propose the following challenge to you. Phxplun will be building their house soon in the greater Phoenix area. The challenge is as follows:

A.) Lop-sided Block (EPS-Concrete-Cement Board (Eather MgO2, Viroc, Hardie etc.)
B.) Changes as to windows, doors (both in size and location) to be accomadated within 24 Hrs. - as well as height of wall
C.) Zero net waste on all walls
D.) Building to have a "M" factor of 40kw/h/m2/year (M factor = $ per Square meter per year of living space...NOT "R" factor) or less. That IS LESS THAN $60.00/MO FOR HEAT AND AC - INCLUDING HOT WATER PER 2000SQFT LIVING SPACE.

Sqft cost to be less than 150.00/sqft turn-key.

...looking forward to your response