ShelterWorks Ltd. in Philomath Oregon began manufacturing the Faswall recycled woodchip-cement ICF the second quarter of 2007. 

Wondered what happened to Faswall. I'd read a few rave reviews about it but it seemed like no one was manufacturing it anymore.

Interesting product. A few questions. What is the inherent insulating value of the form? 5" of EPS yields at least R-20. How does this product differ from Durisol?

Thanks for the replies.

Leonard

    Leonard:  Just the wallform has an R value of 11.  We offer three types of insulation inserts that go into the core of the wallforms.
A 3" Mineral wool insert takes the overall R value to 21 when installed and filled with concrete.  A 3" EPS insert takes it to R 22.8 and a 3" polyisocyanurate insert takes it to R 26.2. 
The product is similar to Durisol in that the wood chips are mineralized then bonded to cement.  The dimensions are different.  Faswall is 24" long x 12" wide and 8" tall.  In addition the tongue and groove ends of Faswall wallforms are more positive in their interlocking.
Hope this helps.
Tom

Tom,

So there is only one size? How would you handle a brickledge. I were to use your product it would be from the footer the second floor. Current plans are to use 12" for the basement core then transition to 6" core for the 1st and 2nd floors. The transition to be used for brickledge.

Thanks,

Leonard

Leonard: Sorry for the delay..  At this time we offer the wallform in only a 12" width.  A brickledge would have to be formed from structural steel I would think and inserted at the course you wish it to be located.  It would sandwich in between the courses so it is anchored into the concrete column in fill.   We have a structual engr. that we work with that could draw this detail.  Where is your project located?
Tom

Shelter.......very interesting product! How does the cost compare to regular ICE blocks? Also, I live in NC. Is there a mfg anywhere in this area for this product?

    Robin:  Cost is about 50% higher per sq ft. than foam ICF's.   Extra upfront cost is offset by:
Faswall needs 60% less cement infill than foam ICF's for comparable wall widths.
You can plaster directly to the inside of Faswall, no sheet rock is necessary.
Faswall has a 4 hour fire rating when installed (3 hr. for most foam ICF's)
MINIMAL bracing needed prior to filling.  Faswall forms are very stable and do not easily move about when filling.
Stays straight when filling, doesn't 'serpentine'.
Takes nails and screws on boths sides (no furring strips needed).

Performance wise:
Insulation insert on the OUTSIDE of the wall insulates the thermal mass predominately into the living space.
good humidity management.  Wall tends to act as a humidity sink helping to even out indoor humidity levels.

Good luck on your evaluations.
Tom Van Denend.

Based on one conversation about pricing with a local plasterer, you can put up an awful lot of sheetrock for the cost of plastering.

Isn't this closer to a dry-stacked interlocking CMU with insulation inserts and interconnecting grout-filled voids, than it is to an ICF?

    Yes, unfortunately it is still less costly to put up drywall than to plaster.  As the art of plastering grows again, however, the costs will come down. Environmentally plastering right over the Faswall surface is way ahead of drywall, which is yet another manufactured layer laminated to  Faswall.   Drywall is notorious for harboring mold if it gets moist.  Plasters allow vapor transmission and don't grow mold.  Clay based plasters are gaining popularity.  Some  are  'mining' the clay right from the job site and  'manufacturing' the plaster on site.  I predict we will see a large rise in the popularity (and dropping cost) of plastering.

    Technically Faswall is a screen grid ICF.  Faswall is a woodchip-cement ICF.  This design is the original ICF that preceded foam ICF's by 25 years!  It was developed in Europe in the late 40's.   They discovered a way to grind up the wood rubble from WW II , bond it to cement, and make blocks that they filled with concrete.  Tens of thousands of homes are built from this material in Europe and the US now.
Interlocking CMU's cannot touch the R value of the Faswall material.  Without any insulation inserts at all the wood-cement composite wallform with cement infill, stucco outside coating and a plaster interior is R 11.    With foam inserts the R value goes to 26.2.
Also...ou cannot easily screw and nail into CMU's and cut them with a circular saw.

This sounds like an interesting wall system. Is there any more information for the first time home builder to read on this concept? Also are there any one makeing this product in Minnesota near the Twin Cities?

Pauly: If you give me your email I will get you an info pack back.
Regards,
Tom

Shelter, I did a few quick cost comp. and if the ext. of the house is approx. 4500sf, then it would cost approx. $10,000 more to use this block. Basing this on concrete at $120/yd and ICF at $3.20/sf. Does this sound correct? I'm I missing something?