Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)

[Jerry McIntire (jerry.mcintire]

This is the closest SIPS maker to you I believe. I don't know their prices,
but they had a complete home, 3 BR 2 bath, for under $100,000 advertised in
November.
http://innovaecobuildingsystem.com/experience-the-difference/?utm_source=High+Performance+Energy+Efficient+Housing&utm_campaign=SIP+Panels&utm_medium=email

Jerry

On Fri, Jan 8, 2016 at 7:51 AM, castrohom--- via Cohousing-L <
cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org> wrote:

>
> Thanks Jerry - and Tom
> One of the considerations here in North Central Florida is that ICFs are
> insect/termite and moisture/mold resistant.
> Seems like SIPs are too costly - we are trying to keep costs down
> Miranda
>
> On Jan 7, 2016, at 11:55 PM, Jerry McIntire <jerry.mcintire [at] gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> > Insulated concrete forms use lots of concrete, which has a bigger
> > environmental impact than lumber (the equivalent structural component),
> and
> > plastic foam to insulate which also has a greater environmental impact
> than
> > recycled cellulose which is easily used in a wood-framed structure.
> >
> > If thermal mass is needed in a passive-solar design, ICFs don't provide
> it
> > because the concrete is insulated on both the exterior and interior.
> >
> > What are they good for? Basement walls maybe.
> >
> > SIPs panels are another alternative I like more than ICFs. They have a
> > greater R (insulation) value per wall thickness than ICFs and have equal
> or
> > better structural value if polyurethane foam is used in the SIPs. They
> can
> > be used for roof, wall, and floor panels and they save on labor costs.
> >
> > Jerry McIntire
> >
> > On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 12:05 PM, Thomas Lofft <tlofft [at] hotmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> ON Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2016 10:39:27 -0500
> >> From: Miranda Castro <mirandacastro [at] aol.com>
> >> Subject: [C-L]_ Insulated concrete forms
> >> Miranda wrote:
> >> Hi All
> >> I am curious as to whether any cohousing group has used "insulated
> >> concrete forms? in the construction of their homes -
> >> or researched this and decided not to and if so why.
> >> Thanks so much
> >> Miranda
> >>
> >>
> >> Hi, Miranda et al.:
> >> At Liberty Village, MD, http://www.libertyvillage.com
> >> there was one home built with ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) which is
> now
> >> 15 years old.
> >> I witnessed the construction, but was neither the builder nor the
> project
> >> manager, however, I do now own the home.
> >> I have otherwise watched the development and use of this technology and
> >> consider it very beneficial.
> >> However, I'm not sure how its current cost balances against all its
> >> benefits.
> >> Local construction costs will depend upon both material and labor
> typical
> >> local cost variables.
> >>
> >> Benefits: It creates a very airtight structure,
> >> It's very highly resistant to external noise;
> >> It's well insulated and totally air infiltration resistant except at
> >> openings for doors, windows and utilities which must be well sealed;
> >> It's insulation levels can be upgraded by thicker ICF's at the onset.
> >> The roof structure may be conventional framing or trusses with
> structural
> >> insulated panels (SIP's) used for roof structure.
> >>
> >> Constraints:
> >> It requires a very well trained and experienced crew and manager to be
> >> well constructed;
> >> Like any other construction it is still totally dependent upon
> >> knowledgeable soils testing and foundation construction;
> >> Effective use for a PassivHaus would still require high insulation
> values
> >> for doors and glazing, possibly triple glazed;
> >> I expect long term value will be very high, offsetting possibly higher
> >> initial expense.
> >>
> >> Similarly, this house was also developed with Ground Source Geothermal
> >> Heat Pumps for Heating & Air Conditioning (HVAC).
> >> These also added front end expense in 2000, but very high value long
> term
> >> benefits with HVAC operating expenses less than 50% of comparable fossil
> >> fuel costs.
> >> I personally believe strongly in making front end investment for long
> term
> >> value, so I have added photo-voltaic (PV) panels to the rooftop.
> >> In this case, the house was planned for perfect southerly roof
> orientation
> >> and all roof penetrations were avoided.
> >> In 2014, 36 - 255 watt PV panels were added for a 9.2 KW DC system,
> >> eliminating any electricity cost from last May through this month.
> >> The house is about 2,400 sq. ft. on 2 levels, with three baths, four
> >> bedrooms, 2 kitchens, 2 living-dining areas.
> >> It is currently used as an upper and lower level duplex, and has an
> >> attached 1 car garage.
> >> It is now offered on the local real estate market for $385,000,
> including
> >> a 30,000 sq. ft. lot.
> >> All inquiries are invited.
> >>
> >>
> http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/9158-Liberty-Village-Way_Union-Bridge_MD_21791_M55665-62139
> >>
> >> Tom Lofft
> >> Liberty Village, MD
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _________________________________________________________________
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> >>
> >>
> >>
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>
> _________________________
> Miranda Castro
> Mailing: 2349 NW 32nd Place,
>             Gainesville, FL 32605
> Phone: 352-505-8545
> Email: mirandacastro [at] aol.com
>
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