Replies

1. 
   Gene_Davis | Sep 02, 2006 05:51pm | #1

   We've had good experience with the one we did here in the frozen north of New York's Adirondack mountains.  The other two in the neighborhood are trouble-free, also.

   You'll pay less for a formed and poured foundation, but a precast SW job gets closer in total cost when you factor in things like numbers of corners, integral stone or brick ledge, the exterior waterproofing you don't do when you use SW, the fact that the insulation is integral to the panels, and the studding for finish is already there.

   As for warm and dry, they are the best.

   Is an ICF job a possibility for you?  Guy down the road did one, his first, turned out perfect, and what I liked was the ease with which the exposed walkout part had its exterior walls parged with a stucco-like coating for its final finish.  Very handsome!

2. 
   andy_engel | Sep 02, 2006 06:14pm | #2

   One savings with Superior Walls is the gravel footing. I'd guess the cost of a concrete footing for an average house these days has got to be 2k to 3K. Compacted gravel is likely to be half of that.

   I've never used them personally, but a business associate of mine has and loves them. He's even used them above grade to build a garage, and the first floor of a house.

   Andy

   "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein

   "Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom

3. 
   TLE | Sep 02, 2006 07:44pm | #3

   I have used the Superior wall system 3 times. Love them.

   The cost of the foundation ended up averaging about 10% more than the same foundation in poured wall.

   The biggest savings were found in upgrading to 9' tall walls - they're upcharge was minimal compared to poured wall.  If the basement walls are going to be finished - a BIG savings compared to poured walls.

   They do have a downside in working with the first time. Glueing and muscleing up 2x10 treated sill boards atop un-backfilled walls, bolting them down all the while keeping the panels straight.

   It is also a hassle having to pour the floor and build the deck before backfill.  I have worked with wood basements in the past so that wasn't any big adjustment.

   I highly recommend them over ICF's.  I have only worked on a few ICF foundations and one whole house ICF, won't do that again.

   Terry

1. 
   hurnik | Sep 03, 2006 04:47am | #4

   I just had my house addition with full basement done with Superior Walls.Installation went VERY fast and quick. Less than a day and it was done (including pouring the concrete floor). Keep in mind, this wasn't an entire house, just the addition and footers for a 25x25 garage.The ONLY things I can 'count' against them:a) A little bit more than regular concrete walls (maybe 10% more). HOWEVER, the cost is (IMO), totally offset because it's insulated with R5 insulation and "studded" (24" on center) with cement studs (3/4" pressure treated furring strips on the front).b) It's all cement. Yes, they DO drill 3/4" holes for you through the "studs" for running electrical, but the holes on the top plate (technically supposed to be used for their bolt system to bolt onto the 2x10" pressure treated sill plate or whatever you call it), have to be used if you need to run electrical UP. and they're not 3/4". They're like 5/8 (my 3/4" self driving auger bit wouldn't fit through the cement hole they made). And, the corners (inside or outside corners) are not framed, so you'll have to come up with some fancy wood work for that.In retrospect, I should've told the contractor to go with the R-10 walls, as I believe those have steel studs, which would probably have made it a bit easier for me.Oh, and trying to attach electrical boxes to the cement studs--not fun. (it's a concrete composite with fiberglass in it, so it has a tendency to be very brittle when trying to use tapcons or anything like that). Either that or you end up having to face mount them to the 3/4" pressure treated furring strips or find some boxes with flanges on the side to mount into the 3/4" strips.

1. 
   rickincharlotte | Sep 06, 2006 04:23am | #5

   Thanks for the input. Alot of things to consider.Thanks again to all!!!!RickO

4. 
   timkline | Sep 06, 2006 05:09am | #6

   after lots of discussion locally i would say that the general consensus is that a Superior Wall foundation benefits primarily the builder who gets the foundation done in any of the 12 months of the year in only 2 days rather than 5-7.

   we specialize in repair work and a significant amount involves foundation failures.  concrete block foundations represent about 90% to 95% of those repairs while poured concrete fill in the other 5% to 10%.

   Superior Wall foundations have not been around long enough for similar issues.

   the fact that they are a segmented wall system similar to block leads me to believe that one day they will suffer similar problems.

   it's a common sense matter for me.  why would i pay 10% more for a concrete wall sandwich with a concrete face that is 1 3/4" thick with full height vertical joints with no waterproofing membrane when i can get a 10" poured concrete wall with rebar reinforcing and a waterproofing membrane that is a 100 year old proven system ?

   what is the benefit  ?

   i get my foundation done 5 days sooner ?

   so what ?

   for us, it's not so much about the time as the risk of our reputation.  if one of those joints leak, it means a full depth dig on the outside.  and now it means installing the membrane waterproofing that the Superior Walls people told you that you didn't need.

    

   carpenter in transition

1. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Sep 06, 2006 04:35pm | #8

   I love this site because of posts like yours!

   I don't know what a "Superior Wall" is but I agree with your assessment based on your reasoning.

   blue 

1. 
   rasconc | Sep 06, 2006 04:44pm | #9

   http://www.superiorwalls.com/

   They look pretty good, considered using them but figured the crew I had was not even ready to start on the learning curve. 

1. 
   rickincharlotte | Sep 08, 2006 04:09am | #10

   I just finished meeting with the NC district sales manager for Superior Walls. Come to find out he lives about 4 miles from me in Huntersville, NC. I'll be awaiting his bid for the foundation.
   Some interesting facts.....They have a production plant nearby in Salisbury, NC. They install aproximately 140 foundations per month in this area. Pulte homes and MI homes use this system extensively. as well as many custom homes. Turn time to have a foundation ready to deliver is about 3-4 weeks. They have 6 installation crews, 6 cranes, and most foundations are installed in 1 day or less. He expects mine would only be about 4 hrs. (due to size)
   All said...very interesting. http://www.superiorwallsnc.comRick

2. 
   rickincharlotte | Sep 22, 2006 01:30am | #11

   I 'm sorry that I am responding to you so late since this posting. You are absolutely correct. My builder and I have decided to remain with poured walls. After boiling all the numbers down, there would have only been a $700.00 savings by switching. Certainly not worth the unknowns.Thanks again for your insight.
   RICKRickO

1. 
   timkline | Sep 22, 2006 03:06pm | #12

   Thanks for your feedback.

    

   Tim

    carpenter in transition

5. 
   SteveFFF | Sep 06, 2006 03:32pm | #7

   Pulte Homes is using them for all the houses in a small subdivision in Apex (near Raleigh) called Sutton Place. You might check to see if they are using them near Charlotte and make a visit or give them a call and see if one of their folks can give you some input.

   Steve.