Tom
It always helps to know where someone is when they post.
Many ICF companies are very localized and their products may be active in that limited area.

Jim,
Northeast PA, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

Tom:

No, we haven't used this form recently, but have evaluated their latest design guide for builders and designers, and I would love to give my opinion.

Following are some quotes straight from the 66 page "Fold Form Installation Guide to Insulated Concrete Form Construction."  My comments are in italics.

1/Front page "Fold Form Installation Guide to Insulated Concrete Form Construction."
 Some of my peers would stress that proper ICF industry terminology should be Insulating Concrete Forms.  Is it worth opening their manual? 

2/Page 63,   " Blocks are 12" tall,  48" wide.  The insulating side walls are 2" thick."  
My opinion,  per square ft. even at Menards pricing, these blocks aren't a bargain. 

3/Page 25 " Only experience operators should be allowed to use an electric vibrator with 1 inch head to consolidate concrete.  Concrete can also be consolidated from the outside by tapping the tie pads with a rubber mallet."
Also, "Do not extend vibrator into level of previous (concrete) lift.  Doing so can cause immediate form failure."
Page 24 "Placing concrete in lifts over 4-feet per lift can cause immediate form failure."
Page 22 "A blow out repair kit should be made BEFORE the concrete arrives"
Need I say more? AAAAAAHH!!

4/ Page 10  " In- wall bracing is inserted maximum vertical spacing of 4 feet, corner to corner, full perimeter."
 Page 11 "firmly wire tie in-wall bracing every 2 feet." and " to reduce the risk of voids, DO NOT place horizontal steel rebar and in-wall bracing on the same level"
page 12  "Failure to do this (install properly) can cause voids in concrete
In wall bracing is a waste of money and a hazard for consolidation.  The best forms have absolutely no need for this product

5/ Page 28 "Electric lines can be protected by runnig them inside approved metal of conduit", or "covering the pathway (of electric lines) with a 16 guage metal strip"
Fold Forms' 2" EPS wall does not allow a practical electrical box depth, nor nail protection for utilities.

6/Page 13 "Horizontal rebar is laid.... and wired tied to a Tie approximately every 4 ft.  Installer may purchase pre cut rebar wire ties and tool or may use 6" lengths of 16 guage wire." 
Wire tie every 4 ft.?  No thanks!  Better blocks have rebar fingers which space and stack horizontal bar, with a contact lap splice,  without any tying needed.

7/Page 14 "Exterior vertical braces must be anchored to the form.  They are anchored with the wire ties which were placed earlier."
ICF bracing system WIRE TIED to the plastic webs?  NO thanks, not in 2006.

8/Page 35 "Brickledge"
No brickledge block....

9/And last but not least, perhaps my favourite, page 27 " wood, metal, or synthetic siding may be added directly to the form walls.  This is done by attaching a continuos vertical metal 'L' furring strip -1/2 by 1 inch- to the tie pads.  A 1 inch deep vertical slot is first cut next to a row of tie pads using a saw or a hot knife.  The 'L' angle is inserted into the slot and anchored to the tie pads.  Follow manufacturers recommendations for proper spacing of furring strips and anchoring of siding."
These forms are so indadequate they don't even have a vertical web, but instead a "tie pad" 12" O.C. vertically.   The poor drywaller!




To be completely fair and honest, on the upside, we do think it is real pretty product though, and wish more forms had such cheerful colouring.


Kevin 

Kevin,

   Thanks for your time and evaluation. I too, have noticed alot of in inadequacies in their form.  I will prepare for a lot of bracing, especially those corners, and blow-out kits, which are probably necessary with the limited tie-pads.  You ever have some free time, check out their installation videos on their website, I guarantee they'll make you smile.

Tom D