The House Building Blog — Insulated Concrete Forms

Alan has started to build the basement walls with insulated concrete forms. We have chosen an ICF system by Logix. The blocks go together almost like Lego except that they are a lot more flexible so just like with concrete block work, it's necessary to string a line to make sure all the ICF blocks are staying straight along their proper course.

The footings waiting for the insulated concrete forms.

The beginnings of the ICF wall.

Almost Like Lego

The wall is going up really fast. Alan is bagged at the end of the day mainly just due to the heat - he's working in the full sun all afternoon. Each row of ICF blocks needs to have a course of rebar snapped into the slots of a spacer bracket. Alan has found ways of economising his time by measuring, cutting and bending all the rebar he'll need for the next several rows of blocks so it's just sitting ready for him as each row of blocks go up.

The window and door bucks which keep the concrete from pouring into the window and door openings are now in.

ICF Window and Door Bucks

Logix Block Wall Prepped for Concrete Pour

Filling ICFs with Concrete

Little Work Site, Big Work Site

Man in Corner Filling Forms using Overhead Pipe from Concrete Pumper, Man to Right Vibrating Concrete in Wall Cavity

Little Helper Screeding The Concrete

Screeding The Concrete

Done!