Hello everyone, I have been doing a lot of reading on this forum about ICF, so much so that i decided to build our dream home in ICF, Well i am using a local contractor... I am located in Ottawa Ontario, Climate zone 5A, we also have some pretty decent temperature fluctuation in the winter and summer. He uses IntegraSpec blocks, which are 2.5 and 2.5 inch foam My first question is about adding extra insulation on the main residence portion of the built. i was thinking of adding 3 inch (r12) http://styrorail.ca/en/product/sr-i/?c=foundation My idea behind this is to better benefit from the thermal mass and have proper straping for exterior metal siding installation. According to a Local energy guru, the extra 3 inch of foam could possibly equal to an energy savings of 8%... which in the end i won't necessarily get the return on investment in 20 years... unless it ends up performing better then anticipated Question 2, installing metal siding. i am currently looking at this product https://www.gentekinc.com/default/Siding/SteelSiding/SteelTekSupremeSteel.aspx if i don't add extra insulation can this be fassent directly onto the icf web of should i install strapping to leave an air gap Question 3 sorry one more, for installing stone veneer panels, like http://beonstone.com/us/products-and-colors/classic/#tab-id-1 would i need to install, 1/2 ply with house wrap or can i go directly to the web of strapping Thank you everyone very much for your help Sincerely,

Going to need strapping since the webs are 6" vertical. I use a old time form for the same purpose. It's called Premere Icf. It's a plank and rail system with the rails being horizontal. We've had customers that want metal siding and it gives a attachment point every 12". Don't tell anybody but we've also used TF laid sideways for the same purpose. It saves the extra step of strapping and the window trim is easier. As far as the extra insulation, it comes down to cost. We're doing a project with Premere utilizing reclaimed Iso board that we picked up for cheap. It will be 6.5" of foam with a 6" core. Cost will be about 40% less than a standard form with a greater r-value.

Can i use boiler for this?

https://www.nudura.com/divisions/nudura-products/plus-series

https://buildblock.com/products/thermalsert/

If you put something on the outside you will have a hard time getting to the ties to attach things.

We are up and building and decided to install g lock 3 inch foam panels on the outside, did it myself around the entire basement in one day... overall cost on return i think this will make lots of sense. Once they back fill i will keep on adding the extra insulation. This will also provide much more flexibility for siding strapping installation

Question, did you go back to Integraspec and ask about their R-Boost panels?
Those you just install inside the forms and then don't have to worry about strapping stuff on.

http://integraspec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Integraspec-CatalogueEng_2019.pdf

Posted By smartwall on 27 Oct 2019 04:40 PM
Going to need strapping since the webs are 6" vertical. I use a old time form for the same purpose. It's called Premere Icf. It's a plank and rail system with the rails being horizontal. We've had customers that want metal siding and it gives a attachment point every 12". Don't tell anybody but we've also used TF laid sideways for the same purpose. It saves the extra step of strapping and the window trim is easier. As far as the extra insulation, it comes down to cost. We're doing a project with Premere utilizing reclaimed Iso board that we picked up for cheap. It will be 6.5" of foam with a 6" core. Cost will be about 40% less than a standard form with a greater r-value.

Premere is a new one to me, I was reading up on it. All kinds of advantages such as using reclaim. You have had positive experiences vs say a block stack like Fox ?