Opinions and advice on the following two alternatives for concrete floors: Composite Steel Deck such as Vulcraft Ecospan: http://www.ecospan-usa.com/index_files/Page897.htm Hambro D500. http://www.hambro-floors.ws/www/v4/ehambro.nsf/floorsystem/d500-description What about either system as a flat roof? Possible insulation strategies for flat roof include using XPS between K trusses. Thanks.

What would the benefits be in using these systems for a residential build?

Interested in incorporating two elements from prior projects: (1) an open floor plan without posts; (2) roof deck over some of the structure. In addition, would like to have exposed concrete for much of the flooring. Thanks.

I have a concrete on metal deck & K-Joists flat roof. Insulation is tapered EPS (1/4 inch per foot) (16" max depth) on top of the flat concrete slab. Ballasted EPDM membrane on top of EPS. No insulation inside (thermal mass & I like the visuals of the joists & metal deck).

Using composite concrete floors and roofs are great advances in ICF construction.

Tapered foam on top is most often used.

For all the same reasons one would build icf walls, they are true with the roof as well. This is why most of our projects use composite floors and roofs.

I would further suggest that you use a icf form that needs no additional bracing for the composite pour.

Eldon Howe

www.totalicfs.com

I will use steel beams or wood beams if I build an icf house again. I wil not use composite floors again. Mine is DIY project. But still I spent 25 dollars for a square foot composte floor and it is very hard to install and care the concrete.

it is very hard to install and care the concrete.

My concrete flooring is the easiest flooring to care for, if that's what you mean. What are you doing that makes it so hard?

Invincible,
Concrete is hard heavy work.. This easy anyone can build icf/composite floor is over sold. Most home owner can pour a concrete drive way, as any can do it, right?

Was the final product what you had invisioned? Was there anything else you did not like?

Eldon Howe
www.totalicfs.com

My floor concrete is poured by Profesionals.
Problem 0:
It is very hard to find a day without rain. When the day comes for pour.
Problem 1:
I ordered 3 trucks of concrete. First truck slump was 6. second truck was like 5. Third truck was like 7 or eight.
Problem 2:
After pouring I used seal and care on top of floor. But the sun heated my floor and it cracked after cooling.
Problem 3: It has a deflection constant for big spans. So I had to give a bow to pans. But the pans are very rigit. I was not able to give bow.
Problem 4: I had to buy posts to support big spans. They are expensive.
Problem 5: I have to be carefull for the screws. They are waiting to drill my head.
Problem 6: Type of metal used for 90 degree end closers are very hard. They are screw proof.
Problem 7: Long pans are not easy to handle. It needs at least two people or crane.

Solution 0) No comment
Solution 1) No comment
Solution 2) What ever "seal" means, concrete is going to crack during curing, and your design/engineering must allow for it.
Solution 3), 4), 5), 6), 7) Did you consider any other kind of a concrete composite building system? Maybe something that was a bit more manageable in your situation?

Invincible, which composite flooring system did you use? Where part of the country are you located? I ask because composite concrete floors are used extensively for MF, office, etc. construction without many of the problems you’re describing.

We’re you happy with the engineering? Some of the problems seem to be engineering related such as # 3 and 4. Did you consider girders to reduce the number of posts?

Thanks for your posts.

ICFHybrid : Thank you for your solution 2. I am a DIY person This kind of comments take my concerns away.

MerlinMc : Toronto, I am happy with my engineer. My problems are architectural. I used girders.

I am saying that "the product has too many variables (e.g. weather, concrete,...).
I guess Precast hallow core has less variables.

I guess Precast hallow core has less variables.

Have you seen the ICF systems like QuadDeck or Insuldeck? They would have eliminated nearly all of your issues.

Weather issues and variability with subcontractors or ready mix suppliers aren't unique. They are going to happen. With experience, there are ways to deal with all of them.

Fortruss looks similar to the QuadDeck and Insuldeck systems: http://www.beaverplastics.com/Construction/fortruss.html

Anyone used this product?