In all the times over the years I have used ICFs it has always been the AARX brand with blue foam, honeycomb joints, and composite spreaders.
Now that I’m almost ready to form one up, I find out that the yard I’ve been buying from has switched to a different brand called builderblocks from Newform systems. From the literature, these appear to be about the same style as the AARX.
Then I discover that the yard I prefer dealing with on most stuff has started carrying a different type called Ecoblock.
Apparantly, this version of ICF comes knocked down and you install the spreaders on site. ( OK, I do) The blocks are less expensive slightly, but tha is certaainly offset by labour.
Also, as near as I can tell, the joints are more of a T&G instead of honeycomb snap.
Needless to say, I’m a little concerned about on site fabrication time and strength.
Does anybody have experience with either of these?
I know half a dozen of you are itching to say, “I’ve used brnd X and it worked great for me” but what I am interested in is only these two brands that are available to me now at this time.
Thanks
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I've used the EcoBlocks for a knee wall. You get a box of plastic spreader bars that just snap into place of whatever length (6", 8", etc") you need. Didn't take much time at all to snap them in place. The edges are T&G but the profile is like a series of squares at a 45 so there is no sliding once they are placed together.
Steve.
Thanks. I've been stuydying the literature online and the yard is sending me a video and DVD over, but comments like that are hjard to get that way.Do you feel confident that the connectors wil handle the loads from pouring an eight foot wall?
Have you ever used other brands or is this your sole experience with ICFs?With the AARX type, I did not really like the honeycomb structure for the snap joint because it was easy to damage in shipping and because if it was left in the open, without tarping, or set down in dirt, ice or mud would clog it up and take time to clear.
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I did a good deal of checking and calling several manufacturers but this was my only ICF experience and it was only a 2 block high knee wall. IIRC there was a schedule for the connectors depending upon how tall and where in the wall the block would be placed. As can be seen in the pic I only needed one at the top and bottom on each of the six strips. For more strength you add more connectors.Steve.
Yes, for an 8' wall, they recommend 18 connectors at the bottom row and then fewer as you go higher up.
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I used site assembled blocks before. I felt if you don't value your own time, or if you have access to cheap labor it's worth it. If I did it again I would go with aarx.
Thanks - my site labour is expensive, especially this time of the year.
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