Our ICF company said most people just hang drywall on ICFs but we've been reading (e.g. Building Science site) it's better to fur out walls then hang drywall. 

These are below grade basement walls - the basement will be usable space.

What do other suggest?

Best product to use is PlasterMax-ICF. No need for furing strips and won't support mold growth.

Posted By TheGreenBuildingProducts on 22 Nov 2010 07:27 AM
Best product to use is PlasterMax-ICF. No need for furing strips and won't support mold growth.

That sounds like a no brainer.  I would like the look of a smooth grey concrete (i'm guessing it can be colored and troweled smooth) wall but w/ the advantage of an ICF construction.    Good solution.

PlasterMax can be colored , happy to send you a sample if you would like or see more about it at www.TheGreenBuildingProductsStore.com

How does the cost of PlasterMax compare to furring out and drywall?  Do you have a price per SF for materials or labor or both?

Alton, I have a bit of experience with PlasterMax and it's a good product. However, one thing i'd like to make clear is that furring out is extrememly rare with ICF and generally not desirable. ICF products have furring strips 8" O.C. (or 6" O.C.) for the direct attachment of sheetrock. REgards.

Alton this is from the manufactuer.

Gigacrete products PlasterMax™ economics
PlasterMax Gypsum Board (Drywall)
Very low maintenance cost, no mold no mildew Higher maintenance costs, threat from mold mildew
Fire Rated
8,000 psi average
Highly abrasion resistant
Good Impact resistance Fire rated
125 psi, average
Very low abrasion resistance
Very low impact resistance
Approx $1.00 sq/ft 1/8"thick
Fiberglass Mesh and Plaster
Installation $1.50 to $2.50 sq/ft



Total PlasterMax $2.50 -$3.50 Approx $0.41 sq/ft 5/8" thick
Paper covered gypsum
Installation$1.22 to $1.80 sq/ft
Total $1.64 -$2.21
Approx $0.75 sq/ft 5/8" thick VHI board
Installation of VHI/Abuse resistant board $2.45
VHI Board Total $3.20
Requires one coat of paint (less absorbent)

Cost $0.40 sq/ft

Total installed & painted costs $2.90 to $3.90 sq ft Requires 3 coats 1 primer 2 paint (very absorbent)
Requires two coats of paint
Cost $0.40 sq/ft x 3 = $1.20
Total installed & painted costs $2.84 to $3.41 sq ft
Total installed & painted costs $4.60 sq ft VHI

Thanks for the detailed info.

Just to clarify - does that say the board is only 40c/sf (without install and paint)?

If it has paper on it - how is that mold resistant? (That is one reason we're considering furring out - to prevent any moisture issues)?

Were you saying it's harder to fur out because of where the ICF furring strips already are? One thing we're dealing with is that the guy who did our ICFs actually didn't line up the strips properly in one large area.

I'm trying to find PlasterMax MSDS. Any idea how "eco" is in terms of low VOC, etc. Imagine it would need a lot of additives/plasticizers to stick to an ICF wall?

Woksawi please email me directly and happy to provide MSDS. Uses no additives to stick to ICF wall, just a standard 11 ounce mesh.

Meets ICC-ES code required fire protection for EPS foam walls (UBC-26-3, NFPA 286 and
IBC803.2.1, Room Corner Fire Tests)
Meets 30 Minute Elevated Temperature Exposure Test outline in IBC Section 803.3
NFPA 286 Standard fire test method for evaluating contribution of room fire growth
ASTM E-84 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials UBC 26-3 Room fire test standard for interior foam plastic systems. ASTM C587 Joint Strength Standard Specification for Gypsum Veneer Plaster ASTM C1629/C 1629M Abuse Resistance Test
ASTM E C1629-06 Abuse Resistance Test & ASTM D 4977-03 Abrasion Test
ASTM C 587-04 Bond Strength, Impact Strength, Joint Strength & Flexure Test
ASTM G21-96 Fungal Resistance Test will not support mold or Mildew, meets acceptance criteria
Minimum 6,000 PSI compressive strength, (Per ASTM C109)
Non-combustible building material (Per ASTM E136)
Exceeds Surface abrasion ASTM D 4977 a measure of resistance to scratch and score
Meets all the emission level requirements of GREENGUARD Report No. 15995-06)
Exceeds stringent California Air Quality Standards
Recognized by LEED and US Green Building Council qualifies for points1 oz. mesh is all that is required.

Happy to send you a sample if you send me via email your info. Barrett Enterprises Inc

I'd love a sample, etc. What is your email?

Another ? on PlasterMax -- how thick does it go on? Can you hang shelving/tvs/etc on it? Can we use a low VOC (e.g. Ben Moore Ecospec) paint over it?

Yes you can hang shelves on, like drywall best to do into studding. It normally goes on 1/8" Best paint we have found so far is the Behr paint from home depot, only needs 1 coat. If you want more info or samples please go to www.TheGreenBuildingProductsStore.com and fill out the contact us page and tell me that you want samples. There is a lot more info on the 2 pages there about PlasterMax.

Thanks - will do - looks great. Also would like to talk to you about another product there so I'll be in touch....

Shelves can be attached several ways, even 1/8" PlasterMax with plastic plugs and self tapping screws will carry a 100lb shelf. Ideally shelves should be screwed into the ICF webs as they are designed to be equal to a 2x4 stud. The problem is finding them....

Finding the webs is not that difficult ,really. Buy a stud finder that you can adjust the depth and you'll easily find them. Have tried with drywall on with good results. Usually in 100$ range.

Posted By slenzen on 22 Nov 2010 11:26 AM

Posted By TheGreenBuildingProducts on 22 Nov 2010 07:27 AM
Best product to use is PlasterMax-ICF. No need for furing strips and won't support mold growth.

That sounds like a no brainer.  I would like the look of a smooth grey concrete (i'm guessing it can be colored and troweled smooth) wall but w/ the advantage of an ICF construction.    Good solution.

Hi,
I agree with you..
Looking for the gray concrete is the best ...

Which costs less - furring out with drywall or using the Plastermax?

Also - how is electrical run if using the Plastermax? Channeled in it? Does it need MC wiring then?

Are there definitely no plasticizers in the Plastermax? Still curious how it sticks to ICFs...

electrical is imbedded into the ICF foam, then covered over with spray can expandable polyurethane foam, allowed to set, shaved flat then covered over with PlasterMax or StuccoMax. PM can also be cut with any masonry type cutting tools if a retrofit is done downstream of the initial installation and patched with PM.

There are absolutely no plasticizers in PlasterMax, it adheres with the 11 oz mesh.

Costs run about $1.35 sq foot. Much less labor time, that is where the real savings are!