ICF Stem Wall vs Traditional Formed Stem Wall
Been planning a new ICF house for a while now, and the plan has been to go from the footing, whose top would be 42″ below grade, all the way to the trusses with ICF block. That means the first 3 rows of block (48″ tall) would be at, or below, grade. Lately, I questioned myself about this plan.
In this role, the first 3 rows of block would be nothing but a form for the concrete inside. There would be no water resistive layer added to the foam, but there would be added cost for the required standard physical protection of the exposed foam at grade to 6″ below. The block in this situation, would cost about $15/linear foot, not including the cost of stacking, bracing, or protecting the foam. I can see only one advantage to the all-ICF approach, and that would be the easy transition from the below grade block to the above grade block due to their nesting with each other.
Might someone know how the cost of the all-ICF approach compares to a 48″ tall, plain formed concrete wall?
Thanks!
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gerrha,
Unfortunately the cost of forming and pouring stem-walls are very regional. The only way to get anything close to an accurate comparison would be to get a quote from a local concrete sub.
To generalize wildly though, if you are already having the rest of the walls built of ICF, it should be comparatively less expensive to include the foundation, as opposed to simply comparing the two types of stem-walls construction.
I just poured an ICF basement and used a shallow footer (frost protected). That might be one option for you to consider.
Thanks for your replies. Been down the road for FPSF, and abandoned that for several reasons.
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/question/monolithic-slab-with-multiple-levels