Hi there, this is my first post here so please be gentle with me :). I have been in the construction industry for over twenty years, designing and building extensions and renovations for clients so have a fair bit of knowledge, and I have just finished project managing a new build timber frame for a client along with our main builder. Six of us have just bought a plot of land to self-build a house on each (including my experienced builder) and we are looking to build each house (around 250-300m2) out of ICF. For various reasons I don't need to go in to, we have chosen Sunbloc with the VTec flooring system, however we are feeling limited in knowledge of all things ICF having spent 20+ years in familiar territory. Rather than just take the word of salesmen, I thought this may be a great place to hear from experienced ICFers, and I would be very happy to hear any advice you can share. If you had your time again, would you use ICF next time? Would you do anything differently? What problems did you incur? I have spent my life living in 1970s - 1980s brick and block houses, some with cavity wall insulation, and have no idea of the difference it may actually make going from U-values of 0.6+ to 0.2 in the real world. Does adding insulation on top to achieve 0.11 make enough of a difference to warrant the cost? What heating system(s) did you opt for and are you happy with them. We are in Essex so no need to withstand Arctic climates but I want the house to be comfortable all year round without £2000 annual heating bills. Thank you for your help! |