Curious,

I am new to this forum, and I have tried several of the name brand ICF blocks, and having read through the forum, I was wondering which ICF system is the best according to those in the industry for more than a few years.  I suppose it comes down to areas given shipping considerations, but I thought it would be interesting to hear some more input and more opinions on what makes the block you are using better than another?

Thanks, Mike

just search through the past threads, this one comes up quite a lot. although you will never get the answer that you are looking for, which one is the best, you will find some good insight to be able to make your own informed decision
Good luck
Paul Stevens

All ICF forms are great! Period! - if you look at it as an end consumer just wanting ICF walls. If the walls are straight, plumb, level and have rebar and concrete in them with no voids everybody is happy. The difference in blocks exists in installation methods used by one or the other.

So the question then is: Are you looking at it from the point of a developer, buying the block or installer, installing the block, or end-user getting the benefit of the block.

There are many variables in this equation and as Paul already pointed out this horse has been beat to death. I for one prefer the Knobelform, pun intended.

Manfred "Knobel", inventer of the Knobelform.

Thanks,

Yes, I imagine this is a common question, but with so many new ICF companies popping up, I thought I would check. I used Keeva many years ago, but with financial issues back then, they were not reliable supplier, so I moved onto a few others, and yes, most are very simiilar, but with cost of concrete and shipping, I was looking at others which used less concrete per block. Just looking for more recent imput, but with shipping an issue in some areas, what I gain on less concrete I lose with increased shipping.

I do like the PolySteel system since they use galvanized steel connectors, but again, not all projects are in reasonable distance of plant, so I was hoping for some input on any new systems I may have missed. I was builidng with compressed earth block outside of U.S. for last few years, so just wanted to stay current and get up to date if I missed anything.

Thanks, Mike

Over the past 15+ years I have worked with at least 6 different form's.  Most are a little different from an installers prospective.

The end result using any form is the same.  As mentioned the labor to get to that point is the issue.  Some forms are easier to install than others.  Some of the difference stem from familiarity with the form.  Other issues are form design. 

The design of the project has impact on the cost of installation also.  More corners more openings, arched openings large lintels, all add to the costs as well as adding to the ammount of waste.  Some forms are reversible others arenot, again adding to the waste factor. 
Some form manufactures can ship 3500 sq. ft. of walls in a semi, others can ship up to 7500 sq. ft. of walls in a semi. 
The addition of a GOOD local rep and QUALIFIED trainer installer and availability of braces should also be considered in the equation. 
One more thing I need to add.  Support and integrity  from a manufacturer is also of the up most importance.

Good luck in your quest to find the perfect form! 
No pun intended.