anybody used icf blocks / insulated concrete forms ?

[harlingtonstraker]

Hello,
I'm hoping to start a project next year, detached store room and garage, and have begun looking into using icf blocks.

Does anybody have real world experience of using these? It would be a great help to hear of your experiences with them.

Thanks . . jack

 

[SimonH2]

I came across a site the other week when I was randomly browsing - this guy doesn't seem that impressed with ICF !
http://www.howtoselfbuildyourhome.co.uk/compare self build to insulated concrete formwork.htm

 

[Norcon]

Unless you need a tornado proof building then you don't really need it poured from concrete.

 

[harlingtonstraker]

I'm pretty hands on, so was looking at these with a view to cutting down on labour costs, thinking I could set these up ready for the concrete myself, rather than the cost of having a bricklayer and mate laying blocks. they come with the insulation on so again less labour to install insulation, the project I have in mind is partially in the ground/retaining wall, and I want it to be pretty soundproof, hence my looking at these concrete filled forms.

I'm still in the research stage, so all advice and experience most welcome.

in that article above the guy isnt impressed is he! thanks for the link

 

[SimonH2]

in that article above the guy isnt impressed is he! thanks for the link

Yeah, it's not like there's much doubt about his views !

I came across it as I was curious about how you go about extending downwards (not that I'm likely to ever try it), ie how you go about digging down and building new walls without the whole house falling into the hole. One of the sites that came up while searching was his companion site on building basements/cellars with waterproof concrete. I was most impressed by the ingenuity of his formwork design, and his openness about how it's done.