Now we are getting somewhere.  The only part that will not work for me is the SIPS flush to the ICF My plans do not call out for a cantilever on  the plate and I don't think I want to try and get it changed.  That said, I think I can incorporate some of these Ideas into my plans. Thanks. 

Isn't termite infestation a possibility if a sheet of whatever sort of material (Never Rot or Azek) is used similar to a lap siding to bridge the gap from the ICF foam over top of the dimple board and continue below grade? Would that not provide a perfect environment for termites and ants being that the area "behind" the sheet material is isolated from the exterior air? How would a termite shield be installed in that scenario?

I'm interested because there are a few ICF jobs on the plate and it is new to me. Want to understand so I know how to define the job for the ICF contractor.

Thanks,
john

Good point. When I made my suggestion I didn't have termites in mind since they're not a problem in Idaho. Here again, there is no one best way to deal with the termite issue. A search on termites in this forum should bring up several threads where several options are discussed. Some have even had to cut out a foam strip (don't recall if it's inside or outside, or both) to accommodate a termite inspection strip. If termites are a problem where you're building then you will have to take some sort of preventive action, be it barriers or just poison, or whatever. Another opportunity for ingenuity in coming up with unique solutions or adapting local regular building practices.

All of this discussion points out one of the advantages of using ICF for building - it gives you opportunities to think outside the "cookbook."

An inspection strip... Very clever.

Earlier in this thread Demaceld showed how he(?) used Blue Board as a border between the siding and dimple membrane. This is a very clever idea, looks to be a durable solution and it looks great!  But, I have the same question about termites and ants.  Wouldn't the dimple membrane provide a protective environment from below grade up to and behind the siding? Since voids are intentionally created behind the membrane for drainage, it seems to be a natural place for insects to make their highways. Is there a metal flashing similar to a termite shield installed or need there be?

This is a very interesting thread but it raises a red flag for me. Here in the south, termites and ants are a huge problem. If a chemical barrier does not prevent them from reaching the foam, they tunnel right through the foam and seem to thrive there. We install a  metal termite shields just on top of the foundation wall (or slab) and under the sill plate. The SIP wall goes up from there. Chemical treatments also provide some(?) defense against infestation.  There is a chemical and physical barrier in this case.

I cannot reconcile how a physical barrier can be installed on an ICF wall.

Please help me understand this before taking on the ICF jobs sitting on my plate.

If anyone here has a connection at Building Sciences, maybe a little tickle to specify regional based solutions to this problem would be of interest to them? (Read:Manufacturer Reps)

John

p.s. Dmaceld- I love the way you cleaned up the conduits for the meter base. Do you think 4" strips of blue board would work as corner boards to terminate the siding? Soffit material parged and painted to match the border below?