renangle
Basic Member
Posts:304
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| 14 May 2007 07:53 PM |
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Would anyone be kind enough to help me. I'm meeting with a construction manager that is looking to build a 40,000 sq ft. commercial structure with Superior Walls. I believe that they are still trying to ensure that they can pass engineering requirements and if they do I believe that my task could be difficult. I realize that a gravel footer (especailly of that size) isn't a goog thing. Also that ICFs are far superior (pardon the pun) for construction purposes (i.e., quiet, thermal mass, sustainability, healthy, energy efficient if they elect to include utilities in rent, etc), but what other ammunition should I bring to the table to help my arguement?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
renangle |
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walltech
Basic Member
Posts:390
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| 14 May 2007 08:31 PM |
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Ren, I don't know how prevalent Superior is in other states but here in Mi they really never took off. I personally know of about a dozen that have gone in around here, and all where meet with inferior finale results. Building on a pea-stone footer is acceptable to their engineer but many other engineers do not believe in these methods and always spec higher requirements than we see fit much less pea-stone footings.
A few things that I see with them there is a considerable amount of time plating there walls, there is no fastening point on inside corners, they don't compare to ICF in R or performance values, and they seem to bow allot like wood (treated) walls below grade. Just some thoughts.
Dave |
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Buntly
Basic Member
Posts:162
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| 12 Feb 2008 08:49 PM |
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I know this is an old post, but for those who are interested, I did a spec house with superior walls. House was a 2300 square foot ranch with 8' basement and 2 car garage and brickledge all the way around. I used superior walls not because of price, but because of time. It was the beginning of October and I didn't have time to do ICF, and I "cringe" at the thought of poured walls. Cost about 2500 more than poured wall, and cost comparable to ICF. Superior showed up at about 7am and prepped the basement. Walls showed up about 8. Had all walls set including garage by 5pm.
Here are some of the benefits
1. Speed
2. Accuracy
3. Partially insulated
4. 15 year warrant on cracks/leaks
5. wood furring strips for finish attachment
Here are some cons
1. Cost (relative to poured)
2. must pour basement before backfilling
3. Must have deck on before backfilling which means roughers are working around overdig
4. lots of lag bolting for sill plate
5. no fastening attachments in corners for drywall etc.
6. If your going to add insulation, cavity is 7.5" deep, so installing insulation may be an issue
7. Walls are very sensitive when backfilling, must be carefull to prevent bowing.
8. pouring slab is a more work because you must put screed along bottom of wall cavities to prevent concrete from entering.
9. I didn't like the way the brickledge met at outside corners. There was a void where the corners didn't meet. I felt like frost could've lifted brick, so we parged all the outside corners with mortar. Took a few hours total.
Also, I had to use about $800 more in stone than if I would have done an icf or poured wall.
If anybody wants pictures,..........let me know.
My opinion,..........nicer than poured wall, but I'll never use again.
Bunt
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| Bunt |
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woulfcc
Basic Member
Posts:147
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| 13 Feb 2008 08:36 AM |
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Time will tell,
No footers.
independent panels reallying on caulk at the joints? (with out footers)?
No seismic value,(to me it, may pass code but....)
Price?
R value?
Time saved? How long will it last?if any of this fails how do you fix it with a building on it, $?
I can think out of the box, but the box is still a BOX!
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| Changing How the World BUILDS!<br>Green , Done , Easy<br>Woulf c.c. of Wisconsin |
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CFL-ICF
New Member
Posts:63
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| 13 Feb 2008 10:24 AM |
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these systems only have the appearance of being fast. because your not seeing them being built at your site. usually a 4-6 week lead time before they show up at your site.
better than a regular stick built...... maybe. better than icf ..... NO.
icf's are the "Cadillac" of building period.
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Buntly
Basic Member
Posts:162
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| 13 Feb 2008 10:32 AM |
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| Bunt |
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Virgil with ICF Pro Network
New Member
Posts:1
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| 14 Feb 2008 01:29 AM |
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renangle, I agree with most everything posted here regarding problems with "inferior" walls. In my previous life, I was an excavating contractor and had the chance to watch as they were set in a basement I had dug. I watched as the crane operator dragged one of the panels through the pea stone excavating about 6" of pea stone away before it met up with the previously set panel. The laborer simply kicked the excess pea stone out from in between the two panels and set it. What is the chance there will not be settling where there is no longer pea stone to support it? Another problem is with the lead time needed along with the payment being made and the owner makes a major change. One such situation occured when a basement was being dug and revealed a higher than expected water table. This was an ICF job and after some redrawing, we went with a crawspace and added a room to the house to make up for a lost basement. If there had been "inferior" walls built and paid for this could have been a major problem.
Virgil with ICF Professionals Network |
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arcamm
Basic Member
Posts:119
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| 03 Jul 2012 05:18 PM |
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I'm adding a 16' x 25' addition to my home. It's going to be 1 story over a finished basement. I'm concidering use Superior Walls for the basement and looking for info on them. I would concider IFC as well if I had more info on them. Are any of you guys around Carroll county MD intrested giving me a price? |
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TLC-ICF
New Member
Posts:98
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| 10 Jul 2012 09:37 PM |
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Go read my forum from 2008 on SW , I don't tkink any commerical codes would use a SW. |
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Brawler
Basic Member
Posts:229
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| 13 Jul 2012 07:06 PM |
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Arcamm. I am very pleased with my walls. Feel free to email me with questions you might have. I think ICF is great but SW was a good fit for my project. If i had the money and a contractor where i lived i would have probably considered ICF. I dont think you will be dissapointed in either. |
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