Has anyone built a new timberframe home using ICF's to eaves? If so, how did you build the ICF's around the timbers? any pics or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Also, looking for experienced ICF installers in the Milford/Batavia Ohio area(45103). Thanks!!!!!

I built a hybrid with ICF walls and framed second with a lot of beams, but no actual bents. If I was going to do it your way I'd probably do full frame bents, with the posts sitting just inside of and touching the ICF walls. That might help alleviate any structural issues with attaching a partial frame or trestle at the top of the ICF wall. You'd get the full benefit of the ICF envelope and it would also get you the nice timberframe look of the big vertical wood posts.

I put treated 4 X 12 sill plates on top of the 11-1/2" ICF wall. They were ripped on a bevel to match the roof pitch. If I had to do it again, I'd make those "sill" plates only 4 X 10, slide it to the inside of the wall and put foam rips on the outside to thermally isolate them.

Posted By ICFHybrid on 25 Feb 2012 02:45 PM

I put treated 4 X 12 sill plates on top of the 11-1/2" ICF wall. They were ripped on a bevel to match the roof pitch. If I had to do it again, I'd make those "sill" plates only 4 X 10, slide it to the inside of the wall and put foam rips on the outside to thermally isolate them.

How much thermal bridging do you think is being caused by the original 4x12 beam?

A lot depends on the roof you are using and the overhang. Wood trusses cannot come into contact with the concrete wall. If using wood SIPs, the same applies.

How much thermal bridging do you think is being caused by the original 4x12 beam?

More than I want, but probably not the end of the world.

Because of the bevel, the actual exposure isn't really any more any more than a 2 X 12. R-value on the bridge will be R-12, R-14 something like that. You can bump it up another R-10 or so by putting the foam rips on the outside.

Check out the 3 Creek home in the photo gallery of Kurt Wimberg Construction. We did the walls a few years ago, there were a lot of timberframe components.
http://www.wimberg.com/Galleries.htm

Kevin

Have you thought about building ICF walls and using non-structural posts and beams. A customer priced it both ways and it was way less expensive.

I've done one and we used 4" icf and attached it to the outside of the timberframe and used it as an exterior skin. No cutting around the post

Thanks everyone! I will run by the idea of non-structural posts and beams by the architect. Smartwall, do you have any pics of your icf/timberframe project? We are using new-energy-works as our designer and timberframe supplier, they have never done an icf timeberframe so we are a keeping our fingers crossed on the design. I like the Logicxs and Fox Block icf product lines that use graphite to increase the r value to 27. Anyone have any experience with these products? Thanks again all for your help, will try and post pics of our project once it gets underway and share our learnings!

Posted By kwazi11 on 29 Feb 2012 10:09 PM
Thanks everyone! I will run by the idea of non-structural posts and beams by the architect. Smartwall, do you have any pics of your icf/timberframe project? We are using new-energy-works as our designer and timberframe supplier, they have never done an icf timeberframe so we are a keeping our fingers crossed on the design. I like the Logicxs and Fox Block icf product lines that use graphite to increase the r value to 27. Anyone have any experience with these products? Thanks again all for your help, will try and post pics of our project once it gets underway and share our learnings!

When you mentioned "non structural", are you referring to fake beams or merely aesthetic?

Don't have pictures. When they tell you to back-up your computer you should listen. I now do. It was just the same as skinning the exterior with a sip but instead used icf. The icf I used was Fox, I like the fact that unlike many companies they make their web profile smaller for their 6" and 4" forms. Most companies just make their web 2" smaller with no change in profile. I really like the Fox block They have recently come out with a foam insert to increase the r-value