I built my house 42 years ago - it is concrete. It is also earth sheltered and uses less than half the energy of similar sized houses. It is maintenance free and storm proof as well.
@@icfhomesofvirginiallc1248 Sadly it would be cost prohibitive today. The concrete alone would be about $90,000 more than what I paid. I'm sure there are better solutions like ICF available today that weren't available in 1980.
@@icfhomesofvirginiallc1248 When someone ask you why should they build homes out of Concrete... Tell them the USA is just now getting caught up to most European countries who build their homes to pass down to their children and their children and their children.... Strength, energy efficient, and .... Is why they build their homes out of concrete. I recently raised my roof over my bathroom. I took off my clay shingles, add the wood and used the same shingles I took off. They reuse what they can to last for as long as they can. The USA needs to catch up with the rest of the world. !
Being a constructor myself I build many ICF houses. But please use fiberglass rebar and geopolymer instead of steel and concrete. It guarantees you more durability and less environmental polution. Nowadays I build only hybrid constructions in Europe. ICF for foundations and loadbearing external walls on the first floor. For the rest better use cross laminated timber. And do not forget to make the ICF fireproof inside and outside with gypsum or magnesium oxide boards. Polystyreen does burn with a terrible smoke. ICF is a very good cheap building system. It takes a long time before the concrete will dry so the polystyrene will sweat for months. But after a few years you will have a nice strong net zero building. Regards from Europe.
Yes, but you have make fire proof compartments per store/floor. Nudura has ICF without foam on the inside, just remontable plates which you can reuse. Remember that the concrete center must be larger ( I guess 10") of the ICF and for shared walls take double walls, so twice ICF with fire proof plates between it combined with RockWool. Just think of acoustic, fire proof. And use glassfiber rebar. Stronger, cheaper and does not rust.
The main reason we build out of wood is because that’s what everyone is used to and anyone that has been around long knows that people in construction don’t like change. And the fact that there is such a shortage of people with actual skill makes it worse. Screw ups are easier to fix with wood, a bit tougher in concrete.
Would you rather have a stick framed wood house that is built well, because weveryone on the job has done it a million times and intimately knows exactly what they are doing and how to avoid problerms or... An ICF house where the contractors and builders are learning as they go, and dont have any (or have minimal) experience withe this construction technique?
@@icfhomesofvirginiallc1248 Thats great - **IN YOUR AREA** Go to a more rural and less technically adept area and the contractors and builders are learning on your dime and on your house. And they will inevitably get things wrong. I whole heartedly agree that builders and contractors experienced with this building technique make or break a project - but those experienced builders and contractors are not common, especially in underserved areas. I would rather have a stick framed house built by knowledgeable and skilled builders and contractors, rather than an ICF house where I am the learning experiment.
Concrete homes are generally cooler than stick-built homes in the summer: Thermal mass Concrete has high thermal mass, which means it absorbs, stores, and releases heat slowly. This helps regulate the temperature of a building, keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Insulation Concrete is a good insulator, which helps prevent heat loss or gain through the walls of your home. Air leakage Concrete limits air leakage, which is the most significant percentage of energy loss in a home. Energy savings Concrete homes can save homeowners 20 to 25 percent on annual heating and cooling costs compared to standard stick-built homes. Other benefits of concrete homes include: Fire protection: Concrete buildings have a fire-protection rating of up to four hours. Sound barrier: Concrete walls are highly effective as sound barriers. Healthier indoor environment: Concrete is not an appealing food source for termites, rodents, or ants. Lower maintenance: Concrete houses require less maintenance and repair than wood-frame houses.
I built my house 42 years ago - it is concrete. It is also earth sheltered and uses less than half the energy of similar sized houses. It is maintenance free and storm proof as well.
Well done!
@@icfhomesofvirginiallc1248 Sadly it would be cost prohibitive today. The concrete alone would be about $90,000 more than what I paid. I'm sure there are better solutions like ICF available today that weren't available in 1980.
@@icfhomesofvirginiallc1248 When someone ask you why should they build homes out of Concrete... Tell them the USA is just now getting caught up to most European countries who build their homes to pass down to their children and their children and their children.... Strength, energy efficient, and .... Is why they build their homes out of concrete. I recently raised my roof over my bathroom. I took off my clay shingles, add the wood and used the same shingles I took off. They reuse what they can to last for as long as they can. The USA needs to catch up with the rest of the world. !
Being a constructor myself I build many ICF houses. But please use fiberglass rebar and geopolymer instead of steel and concrete. It guarantees you more durability and less environmental polution. Nowadays I build only hybrid constructions in Europe. ICF for foundations and loadbearing external walls on the first floor. For the rest better use cross laminated timber. And do not forget to make the ICF fireproof inside and outside with gypsum or magnesium oxide boards. Polystyreen does burn with a terrible smoke. ICF is a very good cheap building system. It takes a long time before the concrete will dry so the polystyrene will sweat for months. But after a few years you will have a nice strong net zero building. Regards from Europe.
I think you have a point. Would you recommend it for 4 story multi-condo units?
Yes, but you have make fire proof compartments per store/floor. Nudura has ICF without foam on the inside, just remontable plates which you can reuse. Remember that the concrete center must be larger ( I guess 10") of the ICF and for shared walls take double walls, so twice ICF with fire proof plates between it combined with RockWool. Just think of acoustic, fire proof. And use glassfiber rebar. Stronger, cheaper and does not rust.
Environmental pollution, lol. Americans fought a war to not have to care what Europeans think.
you looked at mycelium insulation?
No never heard of it. I googled it but can not find enough information about it.
Great Video. Everybody planning to build their home should watch this.
Thank you!
The background music is annoying but otherwise great video
Thanks
I didn’t see your vibrating the concrete poured in the walls. How do you know there are no voids in the walls?
The main reason we build out of wood is because that’s what everyone is used to and anyone that has been around long knows that people in construction don’t like change. And the fact that there is such a shortage of people with actual skill makes it worse. Screw ups are easier to fix with wood, a bit tougher in concrete.
What mix do you ask for on your icf pours, or does a pump mix go in just fine.
We order with a 5" slump.
Do you guys respond to your website inquiries? I've been trying to speak with someone for months.
Absolutely, what website were you using and where are you building? Currently, we do not have record of your contact information.
Can these homes be sheathed in stone? How would that work?
Absolutely, no real difference with a wooden home. You can use brick or stone.
Wow. That is very impressive
Thanks
Might be fun to intern for an ICF builder. They hiring?
Very informative!
Thanks
Awesome 👍
Thanks
Would you rather have a stick framed wood house that is built well, because weveryone on the job has done it a million times and intimately knows exactly what they are doing and how to avoid problerms or...
An ICF house where the contractors and builders are learning as they go, and dont have any (or have minimal) experience withe this construction technique?
@The_Privateer We respectfully disagree. That mindset greatly limits innovation and improvement. We have 20 years experience and proud of our trades.
@@icfhomesofvirginiallc1248 Thats great - **IN YOUR AREA**
Go to a more rural and less technically adept area and the contractors and builders are learning on your dime and on your house. And they will inevitably get things wrong.
I whole heartedly agree that builders and contractors experienced with this building technique make or break a project - but those experienced builders and contractors are not common, especially in underserved areas.
I would rather have a stick framed house built by knowledgeable and skilled builders and contractors, rather than an ICF house where I am the learning experiment.
It’s because it’s to expensive for the
Average person
Ill tell you why..is because its the only way i know how and can afford. And i can make my house bigger from the trees i grew in my back yard.
Precast concrete , I think will be the future of housing not ICF
Home sweet fossil fuel microplastic leeching home 🏡
Concrete homes are generally cooler than stick-built homes in the summer:
Thermal mass
Concrete has high thermal mass, which means it absorbs, stores, and releases heat slowly. This helps regulate the temperature of a building, keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Insulation
Concrete is a good insulator, which helps prevent heat loss or gain through the walls of your home.
Air leakage
Concrete limits air leakage, which is the most significant percentage of energy loss in a home.
Energy savings
Concrete homes can save homeowners 20 to 25 percent on annual heating and cooling costs compared to standard stick-built homes.
Other benefits of concrete homes include:
Fire protection: Concrete buildings have a fire-protection rating of up to four hours.
Sound barrier: Concrete walls are highly effective as sound barriers.
Healthier indoor environment: Concrete is not an appealing food source for termites, rodents, or ants.
Lower maintenance: Concrete houses require less maintenance and repair than wood-frame houses.