One of the characteristics of ICF is thick walls. When building a traditional style home, what are some of the options? Mounting the windows to the outside leads to a tunnel effect, often more than a foot deep inside. I've seen angled openings- How would this be done in ICF? Cut the block on the desired angle, and build an angled buck to match? Or make the opening much bigger, and build up the angle out of framing materials? Can the windows be recessed some? Our block house in FL is that way, with concrete sills, and the windows are essentially held in place with stucco. I plan to use Hardi plank clapboards, so I would need to find something that would work well with a more traditional exterior. The house is a Craftsman design, which I would rather not compromise, at least in front and one side, which will be visible to the public. What have you guys done or seen?

One possible solution is to leave the sill flat and step the sides and top to remove the tunnel effect, or just step the trim back from the frame.

Posted By jdebree on 21 Mar 2012 07:24 PM
One of the characteristics of ICF is thick walls. When building a traditional style home, what are some of the options? Mounting the windows to the outside leads to a tunnel effect, often more than a foot deep inside.

Not really. Check out this thread. http://www.greenbuildingtalk.com/Forums/tabid/53/aff/4/aft/52284/afv/topic/afpgj/4/Default.aspx#37593

Here's some pics of my windows from the outside. I used Hardiplank.

Thanks, dmaceld, that's a great thread! It does make me feel better about the windows. I did see one with the tapered sides- very nice. Because of the added work, I might do that in one or two spots, and then do the rest with a traditional return. Our house is going to be a small ranch, so I'm going Craftsman on the outside to make it interesting, and a lot of detail (DIY) inside. I like the term 'jewel box'. That's what I'm going for.

If you are doing a ranch, use 4" icf