Here is some info to chew on. I was just looking at the HVAC calculation for the ICF home I'm getting ready to build. The heat loss/gain through windows vs. walls is astounding. I'm going to be using low E double pane vinyl coated wood frame windows so they are good perfomers energy wise. The walls will be 6" concrete with 2.5 styro both sides. With 9F outdoor, 74F indoor, winter design temps the heat loss through the walls calculate out at 2.9 Bthuh/sq ft and for the windows 23.1 Btuh/sq ft. Windows loose almost 8x the heat the walls do!
For 100F outside, 76F indoor, summer design temps the numbers are 0.5 Btuh/sq ft for the walls, and 20.7 Btuh/sq ft for the windows. That's 41x more for the windows. This is taking into account the fact that two of the SW facing windows are fully shaded in the summer, and two others are about 85% shaded in the summer.

What this means is heat loss and gain through 1 square foot of window is about the same as through 20 to 40 sq ft of wall!

Very interesting! Thanks for the info dmaceld!

Chebyrashka, I don't see a problem using ICF from the Example plus with all window area I would consider a large over hang or soffit to compensate for the sun elevation from winter to sumer or you'll cancel the energy conservation when the sun beats in in the summer. Using super steel and ICF forms for the beams would be easy with a few columns to hold them. Example .. Garages. Using ICF, concrete, and steel will maintain a more even heat radiation loss and retention. I guess I'm biased but anything built with stick seems to me not to have the resale value or longevity  or insulation factor as ICF. I did a home in Fl on the bay that had 8' glass panels and sliders on both stories, on the bay side over looking a negative edge swimming pool that looked like it was flowing into the bay. cool.


Chill