We were really excited about the next step because we could start to build up! This starts with stacking blocks! Just like Legos! The ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) blocks serve as forms for the concrete, but they also serve as the house insulation, and provide 3" of insulation on both the interior and exterior of the house. Building with ICF is also a green building method, and will require an estimated 44% less energy to heat and 32% less energy to cool than comparable frame houses. And we are saving lots of trees :)
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| Pallets of the ICF Fox Blocks |
Steve loves working with the Fox Blocks to build the walls. The blocks are stacked tightly together and are interlocked end to end. There are also special blocks for the corners. The blocks need to be cut to fit in places, creating a joint that must be reinforced with plywood until the concrete is poured.
Inside each straight block is six strong molded plastic ties made from Polypropylene regrind resin which secure the Polystyrene foam on each side together. Each block is connected to all the surrounding blocks with special clips that must be installed as the blocks are stacked. Once a single layer of ICF blocks is installed, horizontal reinforcing shell bars are inter-locked together in the ties of the blocks.
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| View of plastic ties |
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| View of corner block with rebar |
The walls went up quicker than expected, and with only one day of work, the basement walls were well on their way of being completed!
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| Basement walls partially completed |
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