jdebree
Basic Member
Posts:497
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| 06 Jul 2010 06:46 PM |
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I spent a long rainy day yesterday studying South Carolina's Building Codes, which are currently IRC 2006. I may build an ICF foundation, so I read with interest the section on foam building products. The way they make it sound, you can't have foam buried due to termite infestation unless you use 'approved protection'. The area our land is in is considered very heavily infested. So how does one build ICF in those conditions? People do it, so there must be a prescribed way to protect the foam. Also, what is the cheapest way to cover the exposed foam above ground level? Stucco? I'm going with fiber cement clapboards on the main house, but need to cover from where those end to the ground. Thanks for any input!
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scicf
New Member
Posts:67
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| 06 Jul 2010 08:45 PM |
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I've done a few icf builds in SC . The easiest way to make the inspector happy is to lay 12 inch block (I use two rows) to raise the icf 16 inches off the ground. From the mid-state to the lowcountry I haven't had an inspector let foam be within 8 inches of the ground. Yes stucco is easier, but brick up to the fiber cement is much more appealling. |
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Alton
Veteran Member
Posts:2164
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| 06 Jul 2010 08:58 PM |
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Mr. Jones,
Excellent idea. |
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Residential Designer &
Construction Technology Consultant -- E-mail: Alton at Auburn dot Edu Use email format with @ and period .
334 826-3979 |
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jdebree
Basic Member
Posts:497
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| 07 Jul 2010 05:30 AM |
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This house will be on a walk-out basement, which I would like to make out of ICF- probably TF system. So a lot of the foam would be underground.
Brick would be nice, but expensive. They do a lot of brick stucco here in FL- I suppose that would work. |
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Alton
Veteran Member
Posts:2164
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| 07 Jul 2010 07:48 AM |
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jdebree,
If only the foundation is ICF then a conventional wall above will be thinner. If so, then the ICF exterior foam that extends out beyond the conventioal wall can be made to look like brick (stucco brick). The extra depth of the exterior foam can make the stucco brick look more real. You might want to draw a cross-section of the intersection of the foundation wall and conventional wall to play around with the depth of the stucco brick. Be sure to consult with your stucco contractor for his advice. |
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Residential Designer &
Construction Technology Consultant -- E-mail: Alton at Auburn dot Edu Use email format with @ and period .
334 826-3979 |
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scicf
New Member
Posts:67
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| 07 Jul 2010 02:28 PM |
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If I'm reading this right you want to use icf for a walkout and stick build above. There is no way to prevent termites from getting to the icf below grade. However, just above grade you can pour an inspection strip(barrier of exposed concrete) that will prevent them from going higher. Just run your icf wall as usual and frame an eight inch grade beam with plywood to the top of the wall. Set your anchor bolts and conventionally frame from there.Termites don't eat foam, but they move through it.The exposed concrete is a deterrent, but you'll still have to keep an eye out for actvity. |
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Alton
Veteran Member
Posts:2164
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| 07 Jul 2010 02:46 PM |
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Termites do not like to be exposed to light. In my part of the country, termites will build dirt tunnels to traverse the exposed concrete but at least a monthly inspection by the home owner can spot the tunnels and call in help when needed. |
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Residential Designer &
Construction Technology Consultant -- E-mail: Alton at Auburn dot Edu Use email format with @ and period .
334 826-3979 |
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jonr
Senior Member
Posts:5341
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| 08 Jul 2010 08:31 AM |
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They have developed foam that is termite proof (Dow BlueGuard), have any of the ICF manufacturers adopted it? You can also use a metal sill plate "termite shield".
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jdebree
Basic Member
Posts:497
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| 08 Jul 2010 06:45 PM |
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There are ICF systems, including TF, that claim 'termite resistance' by using various additives. I don't know if that alone is sufficient to satisfy the inspectors in my neck of the woods. I guess I'll call them to find out if they have any recommendations. The concrete or metal shields would work, too. I haven't decided on walls yet- I might go metal SIP's if the budget will allow. Supposedly, though, termites are known to tunnel through foam all the way to the roof structure to get to the wood. I guess if I go metal SIP's and metal framing, I could forget about the termites altogether! We've had them in our mostly concrete home here in FL- if there's wood, they'll find it. |
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