cpd159
New Member
Posts:27
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| 08 Jan 2014 08:40 PM |
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I know the general opinion seems to be not to diy ICF around is forum and I respect that. I started a blog not to promote the DIY process only to share in my adventures. Feel free to check it out. It's not perfect because I'm no pro blogger so bear with me. My wife has taken over 5000 pics to date so if you think of something I should add please feel free to share.
http://diyicf.blogspot.com |
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dmaceld
Veteran Member
Posts:1465
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| 08 Jan 2014 09:04 PM |
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Just took a look at your blog. Great project. One thing that struck me though. You put the roofing on in cold weather, didn't you? Pay close attention to the shingles between now and warm weather and take measures to prevent dirt and dust from blowing on them. Some roofer told me before I built my house to make sure that the roofing was put on during warm weather. Roofs put on during cold weather are prone to having shingles fly off. The reason is the seal tab that sticks the shingles together won't seal until the shingles are quite warm. If the roofing is put on during cold weather the shingles won't seal and wind can drive dirt and dust in between them. That dirt and dust then impedes the stickiness of the tab seals and the shingles are not adhered as tightly as they should be.
Sooooo, keep a watch on them!
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| Even a retired engineer can build a house successfully w/ GBT help! |
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cpd159
New Member
Posts:27
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| 08 Jan 2014 09:31 PM |
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Posted By dmaceld on 08 Jan 2014 09:04 PM
Just took a look at your blog. Great project. One thing that struck me though. You put the roofing on in cold weather, didn't you? Pay close attention to the shingles between now and warm weather and take measures to prevent dirt and dust from blowing on them. Some roofer told me before I built my house to make sure that the roofing was put on during warm weather. Roofs put on during cold weather are prone to having shingles fly off. The reason is the seal tab that sticks the shingles together won't seal until the shingles are quite warm. If the roofing is put on during cold weather the shingles won't seal and wind can drive dirt and dust in between them. That dirt and dust then impedes the stickiness of the tab seals and the shingles are not adhered as tightly as they should be.
Sooooo, keep a watch on them!
I got 3/4 of the house put on when we still had some warm days. The rest was done in cold weather and yes it's a huge concern for me. What I did do is warm the shingles in the garage with a salmander so they would at least lay down and I also had a salamander heater setup in the trusses blowing heat under the sheeting. I really dont know if that did anything or not but it made me feel better. I'm definitely going to keep my eye on them as it was not an ideal situation. Keeping my fingers crossed. I did go with the single that has the biggest seal strip in the marker so hopefully it'll work out. |
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JenL
New Member
Posts:1
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| 19 Jan 2014 05:37 PM |
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I noticed the IU hat in a picture - guessing you are in Indiana? I'm a Purdue fan with a IU degree!
My husband and I want to build an ICF home here in central Indiana. In doing your research, did you find very many experienced ICF contractors around the state? Did you get any quotes in the process? We are getting ready to start talking with builders about numbers before we finalize our house plans. Going to get a few quotes from local custom builders to see how it compares, but have only found one ICF contractor to get a quote from.
Owner-builder is not an option for us - we are going to need a contractor. But in our area most people just keep pushing spray foam insulation in a stick built house as a sufficient alternative. It's been hard to find someone who understands the benefits of ICF.
Thanks,
Jennifer |
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Alton
Veteran Member
Posts:2164
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| 19 Jan 2014 07:18 PM |
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Jennifer,
It might be wise to get a quote for Structural Concrete Insulated Panels for above and below grade walls and roof. |
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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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cpd159
New Member
Posts:27
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| 19 Jan 2014 10:59 PM |
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Jen, yes I'm in Indiana and not far from Purdue, lol.
ICF is still relatively new in my area. I did speak with 3 ICF builders and all were nice but in the end the cost factor didn't work. I planned on doing everything myself except the ICF but after I became familiar with the technology I chose to do it also. I spoke with Crane builders out of Indy, Simon & Harris from southern Indiana and Mid-South ICF. I did use Ryan Gunn from Mid-South ICF as a consultant on my pour days and he was great to have around. All three estimates on just the ICF portion of my home was within 7k of each other. I do have some opinions on these builder but will not share them publicly. You can pm if you like or your welcome to come look at the project. It's still a work in progress. |
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tinsmith
New Member
Posts:6
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| 02 Feb 2014 12:34 PM |
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My hat is off to you for, taking your own build on. We are also doing our own house build. I do agree that it is not a beginner project to take on. But if you are not afraid of a challenge in life, and have an abundance of perseverance it can be done. But it does not hurt to have a professional friend to ask questions from. |
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cpd159
New Member
Posts:27
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| 02 Feb 2014 10:41 PM |
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Thanks, I really appreciate that. It's been very rewarding. A great deal of work but the quality has been top notch. I just had the roof deck spray foamed by a company who works with a big ICF company out of Indy. The foam installers told me it was the straightest ICF walls they have seen and asked who my installer was..... |
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jdebree
Basic Member
Posts:497
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| 03 Feb 2014 05:33 PM |
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I'm also a DIY builder, so my hat's off to you. I'm doing everything myself, but I did consult an expert, and paid his crew to do the actual concrete work. Everything else I'm doing alone, so it is a slow process, but I'm still having fun. I'm just about ready for drywall. |
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TLP
Basic Member
Posts:207
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| 03 Feb 2014 07:14 PM |
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Thanks for sharing, tell us more I didn't see on your blog.
How did you install the ledger board to the ICF that the hangers are on, what fasteners for it and the hangers?
What ICFs ru using?
Why not do the roof and floor in a ICF or SCIP? Litedeck or insuldeck? Did you check cost of it vs trusses?
Where you get the braces?
What concrete mix?
What climate zone?
What HVAC how much you save $ over a stick?
What did your wall cost end up to be? M&L.
If one can't find an experienced ICF contractor might as well do it myself vs pay their learning curve. Looks like if you are decent with your hands it's not that hard. |
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cpd159
New Member
Posts:27
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| 05 Feb 2014 06:16 PM |
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TLP,
If you look at my first post at the top there is a link to my blog. |
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Midsouth ICF
New Member
Posts:65
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| 18 Feb 2014 03:30 PM |
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Looking good Dennis!!! |
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Ryan Gunn
Owner, Midsouth ICF Builders LLC |
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cpd159
New Member
Posts:27
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| 19 Feb 2014 06:28 PM |
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Posted By Midsouth ICF on 18 Feb 2014 03:30 PM
Looking good Dennis!!!
Thanks, Ryan.....you helped |
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Rafi
New Member
Posts:57
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| 19 Mar 2014 12:53 PM |
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I would like to say THANK YOU for sharing your blog with us. Not only valuable information it is that you share with everybody but it's a great motivation for Owner Builders and DIY's. I will keep looking at your blog. We hope to break ground with our ICF home within the next 4 weeks, it all depends on the permits with the City. Your blog, this whole forum and people who help with information is so much appreciated. Thank you. |
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cpd159
New Member
Posts:27
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| 24 Mar 2014 09:03 PM |
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My, pleasure... The whole purpose was just to share my expierence not to disprove anyone. |
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Lbear
Veteran Member
Posts:2740
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| 25 Mar 2014 12:01 AM |
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You mentioned the use of Fox Bucks. Do you have any links to some direct pics of those window bucks? How did you like them and was the window install easy to do?
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onesojourner
New Member
Posts:30
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| 31 Mar 2014 02:50 PM |
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I hope everything is going good cpd159. We did the same thing about a year ago. |
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| http://icftfsystemshome.blogspot.com/ |
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