Would like to hear from some installers who have installed ICF forms for roofing systems that ARE NOT flat roof systems. We have done 2 of these already just wondering if anyone else has "experience", with this type of ICF application, either in design/engineering or installations, not really looking to start a hypothetical topic, need good information, if possible. We are familiar with Lite-Deck, Insuldeck, sloped and non-sloped application as well. thanks thanks

I, too, speaking as a consumer contemplating possibly building an ICF house in Massachusetts, would like to hear more discussion on this topic. A flat or low-slope roof just would not fly in the historic district where I live, and it would likely need to be finished with shingles of wood or asphalt, which raises more issues. Nonetheless, I like the idea of a complete ICF building envelope.

Thanks.

our distributors/builders have built roofs with concrete slabs, finished smooth or with bermuda steps, and unfinished for attachment of conventional roofing. they have also poured just the ridge beam and joist part in concrete, flush with the eps, for attachment of stringers, sheating and roofing. pitches up to 6/12 seem doable with regular concrete, pumped and screeded.
private email me at insuldeckflorida at aol dot com for pictures if you like.

ok thanks will do

An interesting proposal for a concrete roof was to use panels of EPS stacked like shingles and then sprayed with shotcrete. Similar to a Bermuda stepped roof, but lighter/more rigid. The EPS is the waterproof layer and the shotcrete provides sun protection and strength.

sad about the deaths from the recent tornadoes...
we have side and front and rear and whatever airbags and seatbelts
speed limits and guard rails and divided hiways
but we continue to build and live in crap buildings...

Insuldeckflorida, AGREE. housing standards need to be more disaster resistant, the technology is there but people rebuild with the same old cheap crap and insurance companies seem to promote it rather than investing in homes that are more durable. WE have better concrete anchors and coatings for buildings.

As the saying goes:

Follow the money trail


There is a lot of money being made when the winds blow down houses and they rebuild them, blow them down, rebuild them, etc. The lumber industry loves tornadoes as it means higher profits. They don't rejoice in the deaths and injuries but I guarantee you they get a grin when the see hundreds of stick frames homes laying in waste.

I get a lumber industry quarterly magazine and they are pretty open about how they want to see the steel & concrete commercial industry go away and taken over by the lumber industry. They are pushing more and more for engineered lumber to take over high-rises. Canada (huge lumber industry) just approved wood high-rises up to 6+ stories.

You might be interested in learning about Insulated Concrete Roofing systems, apparently AEC Daily offers FREE courses about it! http://aecdai.ly/45

I suggest that there is nothing inherently tornado proof about any building material. Ie, I could build a weak concrete or steel house or a very strong wood house.

Posted By jonr on 12 May 2014 01:12 PM
I suggest that there is nothing inherently tornado proof about any building material. Ie, I could build a weak concrete or steel house or a very strong wood house.

Hence the reason why they will state tornado "resistant" but wood frame homes don't stand a chance in a tornado vs a reinforced concrete home. Numerous studies and tests have been done and concrete is the hands-down winner in tornado resistant above ground shelters. The weak link in any home are the windows and roof. Wood framed homes cannot deal with the projectile impacts against the walls. Concrete mass is the winner here.

"A very strong wood house" is a misconception when it comes to tornado's. In a EF3+ tornado wood frame homes will turn into a pile of matchsticks. They just cannot handle the projectiles. An ICF home is 3-4 times stronger than a double sheared OSB 2x wall. Most people don't double sheath their walls with an interior and exterior OSB sheathing.

i know they use reinforced concrete structures for containment domes on nuclear power plants... i have not heard of a double sheathed osb wall for such a structure... but then again, what do i know... i have only been doing icfs for some 20 years, and i actually live in an icf structure (including roofs)...
:-))))

In order to avoid roof penetrations with plumbing vent stacks, can one vent a plumbing stack out the side wall of the home?

Yes. Get approval from your local code official before you do. Also verify the proper slope for the vent pipes. A vent grill may be needed over the vent pipe on the wall to hide it and to keep out critters.

Posted By Alton on 15 May 2014 08:26 AM
Yes. Get approval from your local code official before you do. Also verify the proper slope for the vent pipes. A vent grill may be needed over the vent pipe on the wall to hide it and to keep out critters.

Waiting on a response from the county.

Better to put a hole in the wall vs. the roof both in terms of energy efficiency and long-term vapor/water management issues.

Is anyone willing to give a price of just materials? I was looking at amdeck, and called the closest 5 dealers from the amdeck website, and none of them carried it, or even knew about pricing.

Posted By krom on 15 May 2014 07:21 PM
Is anyone willing to give a price of just materials? I was looking at amdeck, and called the closest 5 dealers from the amdeck website, and none of them carried it, or even knew about pricing.

I assume you are referring to using an ICF panel to form a concrete roof. If so, then also look at www.GCTM2.com for an EPS pan. The span and load will help determine the type of roof panel to use. I have no financial connection with GCT but know about their panels and system. Feel free to e-mail me your questions about the GCT system or other alternative systems.

krom
private email me at insuldeckflorida at aol dot com
or peter at insuldeck dot com
be glad to estimate or quote your project

I'm in upstate NY, making it tough to work with guys as far away as florida.

I do appreciate the offers

If some of you are contemplating a concrete roof deck and have architectural issues, remember, you can frame a conventional roof on top of a concrete deck. Is it the best solution? Sometimes, sometimes not. I love the practical low slope roof designs but have also faced covenants where we had to frame a "false roof" on top of the real concrete roof.