I spoke with a builder who is using standard ICF blocks placed on their side on top of a steel joist & plate system to create a pitched ICF roof (minimum 4:12 slope). This creates a monolithic concrete shell without using the pricey ICF roofing/flooring systems. It is said to speed us construction due to not needing temporary shoring. Is anyone else doing this? Any downsides to such an approach? I am planning an ICF home outside Madison, WI. If you have a recommendation for an architect and/or builder in my region, please PM me!

Why not just lay down foam and mesh and then shotcrete over it?

Posted By jonr on 17 Apr 2013 06:38 PM
Why not just lay down foam and mesh and then shotcrete over it?

The problem with shotcrete is finding a crew that will do residential construction shotcrete for a roof. Most shocrete companies will only do pools. Commercial shotcrete crews will only do state highway work or large scale commercial projects.

I believe Alton was recently asking about the same thing and could not locate residential shotcrete companies in an area.

Shotcrete is a very specialized trade and it is drastically more uncommon than concrete crews.

Posted By OnWisco on 17 Apr 2013 04:14 PM
I spoke with a builder who is using standard ICF blocks placed on their side on top of a steel joist & plate system to create a pitched ICF roof (minimum 4:12 slope). This creates a monolithic concrete shell without using the pricey ICF roofing/flooring systems. It is said to speed us construction due to not needing temporary shoring. Is anyone else doing this? Any downsides to such an approach? I am planning an ICF home outside Madison, WI. If you have a recommendation for an architect and/or builder in my region, please PM me!

First time I heard of such a thing but it sounds feasible. Of course this roof would have to be engineered via a certified engineer. I can't think of any downsides besides possibly some issues with attaching roof finishing materials.

Yes, I am looking for some shotcrete crews for upcoming projects. 

By the way, I will need shotcrete for the the walls and ceilings.  However, if the roofs are not too steep, concrete will be placed on top of the shotcrete form.  Much faster that way.  Now if I could find a way to use the shotcrete forms and not need a shotcreter, then money would be saved.

EASI-Wall Insert can be installed inside of concrete metal forms to place the insulation in the middle of the wall but is somewhat expensive.

As mentioned by OnWisco above, using ICF wall forms laying on their side should work well for forming a roof provided a good flowing mix is used that will fully encase the rebar.  LaFarge has an Agilia mix that will definitely flow without segregating.  With the proper rebar schedule, temporary shoring can be used instead of a steel joist and plate system to support the roof.

without using the pricey ICF roofing/flooring systems

I've used a flooring system and I didn't consider it to be "pricey" at all.

We do that And I am in Wisconsin. speedfoor with integraspeck roofs have been built all over the US and world.
Email me XXX-XXX-XXXX (Phone #'s and email addresses are not allowed in forum posts)
 I'll send you pic. and some information.
Thank you Scott