Didn't eco block just get bought out? SoCalScott is right, with no matter what system it will have to be cut at some point. But some systems will have more waste than others. When using blocks I never go past 6' with my braces and with TF I go to 8-10' with the braces and like Scott said with a lot of corners all bets are off on bracing. I have poured higher lifts than 3-4' but I think that is something that is done with experiance, no matter what type of system.

Have used Nudura and Integraspec both extensively.  My last 5 or 6 jobs have all been Integraspec.  All my commercial jobs have been with Integraspec.  I have also done jobs with Blue Maxx Poley Steel, Foam Form and several other blocks.  They will all do the same job when finished.  Some are easier to use than others, especially when you get over one story or you have many corners and openings.  We also ALWAYS use internal vibration.  Some blocks stand vibration better than others. 
Integraspec will probably not let you do it without a certified installer on the job.

 

 

I was able to pour up to 15ft on one shot with QL ..
but define pour height

pouring up until u tops the blocks?
or pour in the same job/day ?

i've used 2-4ft pours at first...the lifts of 5ft and last was usually 2-3 to give me time to finish correctly

but i've poured 12ft accidentally between 2 windows ( 4ft wide, 8" form ..windows are 9.5' high )
and there wasn't any problem with it,
other than it all went out of the form by the window bottom opening when we started to vibrate it to move :p
( there was alot of gravity pressure on that column of fresh concrete ..and it was a 7+ slump POS batch )

we've used vibrator extensivly without any problems other than some bulging of forms when we overdid it
( first timer..hard to guage with no help )


i am not up to the drywall stage, so i can't comment yet
and there will not be much drywall in my house
using ACP for most interior
but i've screwed some osb boards already for electrical installation
and it was very easy
just a matter of using a tape and a marking line
holds up pretty good
using cheap 2" wood screws on 0,5" osb

ACP??

ACP = aluminum composite panel

www.alucobond.com
www.alubond.com
etc ...


they have also some fireproof composite panels
and most of the regular ones can be used for interior and exterior

i've got prices around 2.25$ /sq ft for regular colors

Somewhere in ACI (insert #) it says something about 4' lift per hour. This is what I have heard numerous times from numerous sources (anybody have the actual text?), Might be "recommendation", but still is pretty standard in the industry. I've seen a contractor pour a 10' ICF wall all the way around in 1 pour, with no problems, but gave him advice...."next time, when it is not your own home/project, don't test fate", no matter what form you use. haha

Didn't know that any ICF companies still "certify" their installers. I know they give them "certificates of completion" for training courses, but there can be an inherent liability built in when an ICF company names a contractor as a "certified installer" that most corporations don't want to deal with if/when a project goes awry.

Scott, I am pretty sure that on my cards it just says 'Trained Installer'. It also has a disclaimer on the back that says something along the lines of 'although said person has been trained to use block A, if they don't install it as per installation guide we are not responsible.'
Paul Stevens

Joe, thanks for bringing this old thread to life. Actually Polycrete is the largest ICF at 16 sqft and it also folds. In fact, that's probably how Nudura got the idea. You might want take a look at it. I also hear PolycreteUSA is about to launch a new website in the next few days. Polycrete's been around since 1988.

I often wondered why NUDURA is not mention more.  I started using ICF's in 1999, beginning with PolySteel's waffle-grid, then on to the PolySteel flat wall forms. I tried ARXX, REWARD and LOGIX. 
When I went with the NUDURA ICF's, I was sold after the first installation which was a walkout basement.  With NUDURA being covering 12 sf per form vs. the std 5.33 sf, I save about 30% in labor
man hours because it installed faster and straighter.  The reversible forms created far less waste then I experienced with the other brands. I liked the fact I didn't need glue the courses together because
of NUDURA's interlocking forms.  I also like the forms being shipped flat. It made it for easier handling and storage. Waste was greatly reduced.  I don't about the Nudura dealers other areas, but the Oklahoma distributor
for NUDURA was on top things and pricing was in line with the others.  I have no plans on using any other ICF unless a customer specifies it.  To answer  (good or bad)  GOOD

Always interested any thing ICF.  I would like to see hoe NUDURA compares to Polycrete.

We have installed and poured with Nudura , IntegraSpec and Logix.
For residential applications where the bid is competitive, Labour is a huge factor.
Assembling Intergraspec blocks onsite is time consuming and expensive, not something Carpenters and Form setters should be doing at their wages.
Sorting left hand corner blocks from right hand cornerblocks , using tie wraps to hold things together and the small block size makes Logix expensive to build also.
Nudura's King-size block , total reversibility of form units, vertical interlock fingers, T intersection units make the block far superior
in terms of labour $$ saving dollars.

In terms of ICF history and design : Integra is a 1st Generation product. Model T
Logix is a 2nd Generation product. Chevrolet
Nudura is a 3rd Generation product.Mercedes-Benz