Blocks are like cars, they all have the same purpose, the difference is the person using them.

Are you looking from an installer point of view or a distributor?

As an installer you should be looking for what is easily available for both inventory or support, which one you have experience with or feel you would like to work with.

As a distributor you want to be different, no point carrying a product everyone else has access to in such a tight market.

"Blocks are like cars, they all have the same purpose, the difference is the person using them"
Cmon Chris, I have had about enough of the "reaching across the aisle" talk for the month.
What I'm trying to say is that's kindof a blanket statement don't you think? What, so I assume you drive a Ford f-350; wanna trade straight up for say a Datsun with bald tires? I'll drive my Caddy on holidays (actually all I have is pickup and dump trucks and don't take "holidays") and you take your Edsel....That is in fact an allegory of the difference in them foam blocks, and the sooner the consumer is educated on this fact, the sooner the ICF industry will blossom uninhibited.
We used to blow out the odd time and have curvy walls, while using tape and ties and formloc and wood scabs all over; (years ago, before we were reeducated by some pros....)No blowouts in probably years now, and we are cheaper faster and better.

Greenblock is in a rare position. They have been around longer than a high percentage of forms on the market. And they are still worth using after all these years!
They began and still have available a metric form which is very useful and proactive in a large part of the world.
They have an excellent product line readily available and versatile for any job.
They have made the rare investment of putting muscle into a reputable installation crew.
I heard they have invested in training new carpenters in trade schools to work with ICF's at their expense.
Just try blowing the block out, you won't, I'll go so far as to say you can't. Just part of the wonder of a six inch on center tie....
Greenblock is my choice for the best non reversible form, and is better than many of the reversibles. Easy to do takeoffs, the block is 12 inches high and 24 inch horizontal rebar spacing is acceptable in most cases according to my engineer, saving two courses of horizontal bar each average lift.
Down side is when competetive bidding work when plans are specc'd for "industry standard 16 by 48 inch forms, rebar schedules have to be reengineered.....
As always, availability and price and local support should affect your decision, and most ICF's are better than conventional construction..
But beware of the "Datsun" As a side note, for some reason they have stopped sending me installation work. Is that the real reason why the rest of you are scared to voice the truth? Or do you just charge more to "drive the Datsun" (install poorly patented forms which are well marketed) and pass it on to the unsuspecting consumer, in fact causing the construction myth that "them foam blocks are great, but way too expensive"

Kevin Schilthuis
Blue 80 Construction Co. (to date a labor only company)
www.icfinstall.com

Actually I drive a Chevy 3500, but that's okay, Paul drives a Dodge and I don't hold it against him.

If you are an installer and greenblock is locally available and you have gone through the learning curve of that block, go for it, if the local distributor is a few hundred miles away and you are doing your first project, I would think twice. I say that since most people posting these type questions are either DIY or new to the trade, both of which are acceptable but are here really because no one locally can answer all their questions...truthfully.

There have been several 'generations' of ICF blocks, most are still in 2nd generation mode, the newer models are much more convenient for both the pro, newbie and DIY. Each block has it's own characteristics which differentiates itself from their competitor. I'll be the first to admit there are some very substandard forms on the market, there are also those which have a good reputation but I wouldn't have any interest on installing...even if they were right next door to me.

I believe the OP is looking for a form to differentiate himself (basing this on seeing several of his previous posts) from others, judging by his call sign I would wager he chose a particular block and is now looking for another.

The myth about "them foam blocks are great, but way too expensive" as I am sure you know is false (In my neighborhood anyways) when compared to wood frame 2x6 and insulation, compared to steel frame and insulation we are miracle workers with the savings we show up front.

And finally yes, if I unroll a set of plans and it's asking for a Datsun I do charge more, usually up to 20% more along with another quote for a more conventional user friendly block...unless of course the Datsun company sent me the job, then it's pricing for Datsun only.

A few years back i did a set of house plans that called for green block.  This was a very large custom home.  It had a full racket ball court.  The home owner, who was a furniture salesman, planned on building this house with the help of two random framers he had hired.  Both of these guys were average framers.  I know this cause one of the framers is a good friend of mine.  The point being, 3 guys, one of which has no construction experience and two who have only worked with wood, built a very elaborate house using greenblock.  At the time I believe the greenblock supplier was claiming that greenblock costs 4% more than the standard 8" concrete wall with 2x4 fur wall construction for use in basements and somewhere around 10-14% more than 2x6 stick built exterior walls.  This was roughly 3 years ago.  I have not followed any changes in the product since that time.

Dirk Hooley,
Editor - The New Green House.com 

Yes Chris
I am looking for form to start using and selling to somewhat differentiate myself. I have been using a form recently which I like but am having issues with the local dealer and am currently taking legal action against him, and I feel even though I no longer buy from him (I have gone out of province to buy it) Everytime I install it I am doing his advertising and am being very careful in pics etc not to have the company name in them. So I looked around at several unrepresented blocks up here and am just trying to gather some info on them. I have actually recieved some samples from others I was looking at and was actually appalled by the foam and the ties, When the istallation manual also tells you how to make a blowout repair kit, I was even more appalled and it took me 2 mins of looking to know this wasn't good and toss it in the garbage. So I am just trying to do a little external research. I see an area of sales up here that is unused by other ICF distributor so feel with a good block ( i,e one that i would use on my own projects, not just having a block to sell for the sake of it) would be useful. I have heard lots of good things about greenblock from lots of people I have chatted with or posted on this forum, so look forward to seeing their samples and going from there.

Thanks

bbicf....as an experienced ICF installer you are in the best position in the market. I would highly recommend focusing on that portion or your business. If approached properly you should be able to get installation leads/refernces from your local suppliers of ALL ICFs available in your area, thus increasing your installation revenue base. If you get tied in with one block, you end up alienating yourself from potential "competitors".

If you decide to "distribute", when evaluating ICF, be wary of choosing a form just because it isnt already represented in your area. Research what is going on in the industry (consolidation), product availability, required investment, techincal support, all in addition to product quality. If you find that none of the top tier forms are viable for you to distributie in your area, focus on installation.

You have already stated the deficiency of GreenBlock (12" tall) especially in cases when 16" oc horizontal steel is adequate. On 8' tall wall there are 8 courses instead of 6 (with 16" form) which increases labor cost, and there is an increased steel cost. Other than that the product in and of iteslf does what it needs to: holds concrete.

Good Luck!

Actually in our area we can go 24 inches o.c. horizontally which gives a labor and steel net savings....

Kevin