We are in the planning stages of building our new and last house. A simple one story ranch style.  Im very interested in building with either ICF or SIPS.   My main concern though is in the actual pouring of concrete into the ICF forms. 

 Are there any statistics or any other info available out there regarding the rate of failures in ICF construction?  By failure I mean voids in the walls, walls bowing, out of plumb, blowing out, collapsing  etc.   Im really leaning towards a sips type of construction at this point even though I prefer ICF.     A second question also, anyone know of any ICF builders in between Hot Springs and Little Rock?  I havent really looked to hard since we are at least 2 years from building.

Thanks 

Woohoo first post!

Snickering,

Congradulations on your new and last home, I'm happy that you are investigating building techniques in such detail, I wish more would. As for the answer to your question, I would have to say that there isn't really a "statistic" on blow outs, wall bowing, voids, etc. I believe that it comes down to the ICF installer or the quality of the builder you decide on. An incompetent builder can have numerous blowouts, while a competent one has none! If the builder does not have much experience with ICF construction then (imho) the distributor or manufacture's sales rep needs to be willing to work closely with them so that the project goes smoothly. The only real issue we have seen a few times is slight bowing when doing a T walls and that was with novice builders. As a distributor we work very closely with installers, builders, and in some instances home owners to ensure that they are getting the superior product they've requested. Regarding the Little Rock, AR area, I don't know if there is an experience ICF installer/builder there, but a custom home builder with a good reputation should have no problem as long as they use a good ICF block. A custom home builder might leap at the opportunity to try something new as well.

I would go with ICF if it were my house, but I would think it is accurate to say we are a little biased here!

Best of luck!

renangle

LINK


there located in hotsprings. from there site it says they will either do turn key install or rent you the braces ect.. that you will need to do it yourself.

remember google is your friend. :)


agrees with everything said above. its all about who is doing the work.

Snickering, I regret that you are tending toward SIP. There is much to know. I explored these issues in the SIP forum a while back, in a thread called "Basic Questions". Some like my posts, some do not. Truth is what's most important.

We here in this forum are always evaluating different solutions and parsing every problem to infinity, so it looks like ICF is fraught. But it is actually the most advanced and highest quality building technology today.

Hope this helps.

ten four on that one Q !
Lessening the "learning curve" and attention to details is what this forum provides.
Someone here is always experimenting,evaluating and proofing technique.
I've learned lots here, from many different people. ( thank yu'all :-)
SIPS was invented by the second "little pig" wasn't it ? LOL.

Call on Ricky Chapman at 866-903-9007.