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Forums > Green Building Technologies > Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) > Subject: Do lap joints or buttons have a thermal advantage?

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ICF372

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Posts:219

11/13/2001 6:34 PM
Well do they? We have used both lap and various flat wall systems, And I can't tell if there is an advantage in the thermal flow of heat. We have always sold the homes after completion and have not recieved relible numbers to judge by. Although the accounts are always good. Systems like lite-form and diamond snap or even perma-form, just butt to the next form.usualy leaving a small gap. While systems like poly-steel or formtech close the gap much nicer. But will the lap form save more cash? Personaly I don't think so. HAS ANYONE DONE ANY TEST? Eldon Howe Edited by - icf372 on 11/13/2001 22:35:31

Eldon Howe Howe Construction Total Concrete Homes provide positive cash flow , DAY ONE .

Ian ICF Builders User is Offline

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Posts:612

11/13/2001 6:55 PM
Eldon... Over analyzing? How many times do the homeowners open and close a door? Do they run the exhaust fans in the bathrooms or kitchen or do they not? Do they have uninsulated recessed lighting or is it insulated? Are the windows sealed or unsealed? What orientation to the sun are most windows? What difference does an approximate 1/8" gap between blocks equate to when the wall is 9' tall? If 7 courses of blocks are used then there are 6 horizontal joints that would equal 3/4" this is about 0.0069 percent of wall area...hmmm must make a substantial impact eh?

ICF372

Registered Users

Posts:219

11/13/2001 10:34 PM
Yes maybe so. But these are questions I have had when I was using plank systems. My answers were simlar to yours. And still potential customers would use some other contractors lap form. If so why then do I use up parical enerfoam cans filling the tinyest little gap."and I don't think I'm alone here". If cellouse settled 3/4" in a stud wall, we would have a problem , or 3/4" gaps unfilled around windows would be a problem. I guess I'm looking for a better awnsers for the winter shows. I believe it makes little difference , if there's 1-1/2" or 2 1/2" of foam per side. It's the continuous nature of the foam wall and concrete thickness will provide the best performace. "More so the concrete." But only to a point.

Eldon Howe Howe Construction Total Concrete Homes provide positive cash flow , DAY ONE .

Ian ICF Builders User is Offline

Registered Users

Posts:612

11/14/2001 6:22 AM
I hear you. We do the same thing...use many cans of foam sealing every joint....something that isn't necessary for insulation purposes but is nice when placing concrete because if something is moving the foam breaks setting off the "move" alarm.

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