hello everybody,
I plan to build an ICF house in the near future and in my research I found some european producers of ICF - Isorast and styrostone. Is here anyone who has more information about them, anyone who built with them? From what I've read, they're suitable for building passiv houses which is what I'm looking for.

I also found a website with few of their projects.
http://www.das-passivhaus.de/gb-idx_wir.html

Apparently these system are ideal for DIY people and, I must say, I like their attitude too - they really encourage people to DIY. I'm in the process to find out how much more expensive they are but in the mean time I was curios if anyone knows more about them.

one more thing: I'm from canada and in my research I was not able to find a similar system for pourring concrete (mobile silo with dry mix and small mixing pump). Does anyone knows about a similar system in canada?

Any information that you can offer will be highly appreciated.

Thank you,
Adrian

They're not really that much different than what North American ICF manufacturers produce. The biggest difference that you may have noticed is the availability of forms with a very thick external side and a thin internal side. This should help to make better use of the concrete's thermal mass.

I also understand they are using BASF's neopor which BASF claims:

"Foam manufacturers can save up to 50% raw material for the same lambda value and installers can work with panels that are 50% lighter in weight or up to 20% thinner. Consequently, if only limited space is available for the insulation, as is often the case in the renovation of old buildings, the insulating panels made of Neopor can be up to 20% thinner and provide the same level of insulation at the same density." (http://www.jobwerx.com/news/2008/basf_biz_949620_010.html)

Looks like an interesting product, I wonder if any US ICF manufacturer is using neopor?

I strongly suggest to take a look at Amvic, QuadLock, Integraspec, and a few more. As far as I know QuadLock and Styrostone are the only ICF brands that come with an ETA approval (European Techical Approval) in addition to CE marking. These type of ICF brands are much more flexible in architectural design but most important for the structural design.

thank you very much for your replys. in the meantime we found out their prices and they are out of our options. I think will choose between amvic and foxblock.
 
I feel sorry for the european people now. I knew they have to pay double for the gas but now I found out they have to pay double for a lot of other things.

adi

In Europe ICF prices are higher due to shipping costs (usually from US or Canada). So you need to find a brand that is manufactured in Europe as well.

I think adi43d was asking about Euro systems for here in North America... I found the link given in the original question interesting from both the use of BASF's neopor process as well as the use of dry silos and on-site mixing. The mix seemed to pour almost like water but set up very fast... seems to be a common technique in Germany, I wonder if anyone can highlight these to aspects better. I searched but came up with very limited results, and my German skills are non existent.

thank you for the clarification. I think their concrete pour system is much more suitable for a diy project. on top of that it doesn't need vibration at all and apparently everyting works fine for them. I wasn't able to find anything similar on the north americam market.

regarding the prices. they charge more than double before transportation and I'm not talking only about Germany. for example amvic has a factory in Romania and they charge 20 EUR for one block so even if one would buy the blocks from US and ship them to europe would get the system cheaper.

well...life is not always fair

take care
Adi

 

Very interesting!
What is the list expensive price you found in US? Brand name?

I don't have quotes yet from any manufacturer. some of them post the prices on their websites (foxblock). assuming that the other manufacturers charge for the same area and thickness the same price +- 20% those prices are really good from our perspective.

Adi

Most of Europe is still in the "bricks and mortar" mode.  The small silos that you see on European construction sites are typically for mortar.   Even single family house projects in Europe typically have their own mortar silo and mini-tower crane.

I will bet the "concrete" used in the German ICF project is mortar based, which would account for the fluidity and quick set.

xexpat

Polysteel uk is currently as busy as they can be in England. It might be worth dropping a line to those fellows. The project in Cheltanham is a very large icf neighborhood. Those guys with Polysteel seem to really lead the way with icf r&d.

xexpat, when you say mortar-based do you mean a lime mortar? Wouldn't that set more slowly?