Build Your Own House

Hello everybody

I'm very pleased to finally be allowed to post on here - I was mistaken for spam and it took a while to register!

We have a 1.5 acre block in SE Melbourne which is elevated and has amazing views of the CBD, bay and mountains. We're planning on building a house from ICF, as we are totally sold on the permanency and energy efficiency of the product. We are at sketch design stage with an architect who specialises in ICF houses. We are planning on 3 storeys, an underground basement cut into the hill on the block, a large ground floor and a small top floor. We will be doing some of the work ourselves where we feel confident.

Here's some photos -

The block from the back of it (the fence separates us from land zoned for quarrying). The house will go roughly where the car is parked in the photo.




The views from the building envelope toward the CBD and the sea -





We're very pleased with the block and we want to ensure that build the house to maximise the views.

We'd be very interested in hearing from anyone else who has had experience building in any ICF.

We'll post updates as we have them.

Bye for now.

The Dynamic Duo.

Hi

I have done a few OB renovations but have never heard of ICF what is it?

We are looking at building an Art Deco house and the external walls are critical as they have to be curved, renderable and we want excellent insulation properties.

I have considered Hebel - too soft to hold screws etc. Mud - sounds good but havent seen a good looking 10 year old muddie. Poured concrete, have been told it is very expensive but I have not got any details on that.

regards

Ardy

ICF is Insulated Concrete Forms - basically blocks of polystyrene that concrete gets pumped into. There's at least 6 manufacturers/distributors of it in Oz - Thermacell, Formcraft, Zego, Insulblock, Eco block and Polyform. We haven't chosen which one we're building with yet.

Simon

That sounds interesting Simon. I saw a house built out of it on 'Grand Designs' and they built in curves. The problem with the one I saw was the walls bulged badly and one had to be rebuilt as it had moved too far.

Have they overcome this issue? or was it an issue with who was doing it?

Could be a good answer for my problem if they dont bulge and move.

regards

Ardy

I haven't seen a bulging wall. I'm sure its possible. But I don't think it's an issue with the product generally as I have researched this extensively and have looked round 5 ICF houses so far in various stages of construction and not seen this issue.

Simon

Hi Simon

Have you costed ICF up yet? Timbercrete seems to be interesting as well in regards to insulation and construction (only one skin is necessary!).

I am planning to get a rough costing on Timbercrete. Would love to compare it to what you are doing.

regards

Ardy

ok have you started? I am interested in going with Zego but my brother who has built a number of houses via stick construction is having a cow.

Its either build it myself or buy a 'mcmansion' and be in debt for the rest of my life.

interested in what you found out

We haven't quite started yet. We have just finished getting engineering done, and right now we are getting quotes from builders to build to lock up, after which we will finish the job ourselves.

Simon