I am going to be building a one story house with a full basement (4,000 sq ft total) using ICF for everything but the roof. What is the main floor and roof typically made up of? CIP? Insul-deck? and how thick would you make them both? I am wanting a stable/solid main floor that is more sound proof than the normal floor. I dont want to be down stairs and hear people walking around up stairs. This is my first post so please be lenient on me if I left anything out. The house will be in south central KS, tornado alley baby!!! Thanks

The thickness of the floor and roof and the reinforcement should be determined by a structural engineer that is familiar with the system used.  An engineer unfamiliar with the chosen system sometimes will have a tendency to over reinforce the slab.  The clear span and total load will probably be the determining factors regardless which system is used to support the floor and roof.  Lite-Deck and Insul-Deck have been around for some time.  A new kid on the block that does not require shoring for reasonable spans and load is OP-deck.  See www.op-deck.com

Posted By blavis on 18 Feb 2011 03:42 PM
I am going to be building a one story house with a full basement (4,000 sq ft total) using ICF for everything but the roof. What is the main floor and roof typically made up of? CIP? Insul-deck? and how thick would you make them both? I am wanting a stable/solid main floor that is more sound proof than the normal floor. I dont want to be down stairs and hear people walking around up stairs. This is my first post so please be lenient on me if I left anything out. The house will be in south central KS, tornado alley baby!!! Thanks

Check out this thread on this same topic.

http://www.greenbuildingtalk.com/Forums/tabid/53/aff/4/aft/76895/afv/topic/afpgj/2/Default.aspx#60228

thanks for the link to the acoustic thread. that is what i was looking for.

Hi Blavis
You might also check out Hambro Systems (http://www.hambro-floors.ws/www/v4/ehambro.nsf), especially if you are considering radiant heating. Since your floor is over an heated space, there is little need for an insulated floor system, and the plywood used for temporary deck forming can be re-used. I just completed my floor (in Illinois) and it was simple to do.
Nick Housewright Dura-Build ltd
Algonquin, IL Logix Distribution & Install

NickC,

Since you have used the Hambro System, can you tell us about the cost per square foot and if you detect any vibrations from walking on the floor?  How long were the spans?

By the way, Hambro reps used to tell me that Hambro cost too much to use in residences so I have never used it.

Cost was just under 12$ psf total, which included design engineering by Hambro for my project. Max span was 21' (using a 14" deep joist). 10" joists were used on lesser spans for max ceiling height. The pour was 4". Radiant tubing was 1/2" Wirsbo. Concrete was finished for stain & seal. We will save about $5,500 on tile & wood finish flooring and are looking forward to the stain designs we will have in different areas of the house (master bedroom, kitchen & greatroom). Floor is solid and vibration-free. Can't understand why Hambro Rep would say anything like that. Hambro is used in a lot of homes. Obviously, if cost is the dominant factor, there are cheaper systems, but EPS CIP is probably not one of them either. One major benefit to the concrete floor is that the entire basement becomes a safe room. We see an occasional twister here also.
Best,
Nick C
Housewright Dura-Build Ltd.
Algonquin, IL

I am definitely going to have radiant floors in both the basement and the main level. Combined with a geo thermal unit, my bills should be low. Is it counter productive to have an insulated main floor in combination with radiant flooring on both levels?

I think one of the main reasons for using the insulated floor system is soundproofing between floors. I've never installed or seen one so can't comment on that aspect. But to have that much foam between the basement and 1st floor would have to be sound-deadening and quiet to walk on. It would certainly be warm, not having much heat radiate downward. One difficulty with the Hambro floor was making sure there was sufficient concrete above the mesh. I was required to use #4 mesh mats and overlap them by 6" min. This produced areas where three layers of mat were stacked one upon the other, and sometimes the radiant tubing went across these areas. Pretty tough keeping the 1" minimum concrete over everything. I researched an alternative using a steel fiber by Helix, which was given blessing by Hambro engineers, but came too late for my pour. Next time I want to try this product.

What ICF system are u using?

Best,
Nick C
Housewright Dura-Build Ltd.
Algonquin, IL

I haven't picked out a general contractor yet, but i have it narrowed down to a few. Logix ICF has a high chance of getting my business. I just want to have the safest, quietest, efficient main floor and roof without having to sell my first born. I know I'll have to wait and see what the GC says on price and then go from there. I am trying to get the most knowledge before hand. Thanks everybody for the replies. I'm sure you will be hearing from me for a while!

when installing a roof that has extra insulation/protection, how much insulation is needed in the attic? It seems like its overkill to have both super insulated. I'm probably wrong tho...