I have a guy that wants to build a 2 story house (ranch).  He would like the basement to have 4 inch stone veneer that is stacked using portland cement.  For the next floor he would like to have the hardiplank flush with the stone.  In order to accomplish this he intends to stack the ICF block directly onto the edge of the 4 inches of stone.  This would result in having the concrete of the 2nd floor sitting on 1 1/2 inches of stone, 2 1/2 inches of EPS, and 2 inches of concrete.  How one would be able to get the thing level and straight would be next to impossible and from a building point of view, I am concerned.   I refused the job...bad idea? 

Let him know stone veneer is not structural

The plans won't get throught the building department

I doubt an Architect or Engineer would even draw it up

The only bad thing about refusing the job is; is the guy bad mouthing you, costing you business? could you have worked with him differently, but hey, I don't know your area/population or how you run your business

Dollermann,

He doesn't want to do that because he wants to put his floor on the 1 1/2 of concrete that will be exposed between the two floors (perhaps remove foam as well). In doing that he believe that he can accomplish both (fur out and ledger for floor) by moving the ICF for the second floor set as explained above. I have yet to find anyone that thinks this is a good idea and I've spoken to 4 engineers!

I think he could do it but with some provisos.

First, he would have to find an engineer willing to design a mortared stone structural bearing wall. This means the stone would be less of a veneer and more of a load bearing stone wall. Stone walls have been built in years past that have supported a lot of weight for centuries. Four inch depth might not be enough.

Second, you would have to find a stone mason with the expertise and knowledge to construct it properly.

Third, he has to have a solid foundation for the upper wall. This could be accomplished with a concrete cap spanning the stone and ICF walls. He would have to support the floor on top of the cap.

I think the biggest challenge is finding someone to design and construct a structural stone wall. That's one of the craftsman skills that has faded in this country. Just like so much else in this country, we focus on perception (facade) instead of on substance (structure).

I think it's an intriguing idea. If budget isn't a concern I say go for it, if you can get stamped drawings made. If budget is a constraint, then forget it.

The more practical approach would be an 8" basement wall with a cultured stone veneer (about 2" thick) with a 6" wall above and fur out the HardiPlank to match the stone. To me, that would get him the appearance he's after and be structurally doable and sound.

First post is either confusing, or you guys are reading into this better than me!

Dave

Walltech,

I probably shouldn't have posted this to begin with, but I was very frustrated with the owner and the guy that wants to help him. What he is looking to do is essentially impossible and probably not within code unless they do a lot of the measures dmaceld stated. Talking with them this morning drove me batty so my post may have been more of a rant. I just ethically couldn't sell them the block, so they went with another. I told them that I hope for they prove me wrong, but I fear they will not.