Looking For Opinions - Basement Cons

bobcaygeonjon

Hi, I am a mason who is going to be building my home in Ontario with a basement. I come from the UK and have very little experiance building basements as we just dont do them over, here but I have done a couple in Germany.
So I was thinking of Going down the ICF route because of the high R values and the build looks easy enough. However being having the skills of a mason should I not be thinking of a normal Conc block construction. It would be heavier work but I wouldn't have to worry about the expense of a pump truck, blowouts and I can control the plumb easily. I,m not too sure about the cost differance.
Anyway just looking for opinions and some insight. Given my position what would some of you guys do?

TheBuildingFirm

I've had great sucess using ARXX icf's. Simple to set up, no problems whatsoever. Other than the the high R-value we like the added benefit of being able to do an addition pretty quickly.

bobcaygeonjon

I've been looking at Arxx icf and Fox. They all look great but do you have any idea of a cost comparison between masonry and ICF? Material only.

concretemasonry

Even in Ontario, it will be difficult to justify the extra cost of an ICF basement over a block basement based on insulation. You probably only have a maximum 20 degree difference between the inside and the soil, so you do not need the extra insulation. - Especially true if you are a mason and can your labor to reduce the cost considerably.

ICFs are great for above grade since you get great insulation, no infiltration and the benefits of the mass.

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Dick

Engineer, designer and consultant recently active domestically and internationally on construction and design in about 35 countries.

Chris Johnson

The masonary will be cheaper for you than ICF, I hate to say it, your wall will need straping and insulation which is going to increase the masonary costs and increase your time schedule compared to ICF. There is a hugh difference between insulating a masonary wall and an ICF wall, the ICF home feels naturally warmer compared to MOST masonary jobs I have been too, fact being insulation does not always get installed properly and cold spots are then present, ICF this is not an issue. ICF must be covered by drywall, studs and insulation can just stay as is if you are not finishing your basement.

In Ontario I have seen far too many leaking basements as most follow code minimum and just dampproof, on block it is very difficult to find and repair that leak, with ICF you must waterproof this alone eliminates most chances of leaks, as of yet I have not seen any ICF basements leaking.

Where are you located in Ontario? Send me a PM and I can put you in contact with ICF suppliers who can help you through the process. I can't quote you prices on any materials since I haven't been there in over 3 years. But if you talk to people who live in an ICF home they will tell you it's the most comfortable, quiet and energy efficient home they have ever had.

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Chris

Basement Water

I'd suggest you protect the exterior with cactusboard. It keeps the basement from leaking- it's a really effective way to protect your investment. Sandy or Phil at our headquarters at Basement Systems sells to contractors. Check out the info on the link:

http://www.cactusboard.com/