Formtech has long been the ICF system of choice for Brad Hebig, president of High Plains Foam, one of Colorado’s largest and most respected ICF builders. In the following interview Brad explains why he chooses to build with Formtech ICFs and outlines the features and benefits that substantiate his endorsement.
Why do you use Formtech ICFs with so many available on the market?
Because it is the only ICF that offers a breakdown system versus a block system, while also having the reversible tread. Some systems are breakdown without the reversibility and some reverse but are a put-together block system.
Why does this matter?
Well the breakdown system means less shipping and waste. And it makes it easier to tie all my steel. A put-together block system adds $1 to $1.50 per block in freight cost. Ouch!
How does the breakdown packaging make a difference?
Formtech comes in nice tightly packed, thick millimeter opaque plastic bags; 10 panels per bag or five full blocks. This makes it practical for outside storage without fear of damage by sun, rain, wind or snow. It does not have to be warehoused, saving on warehouse cost and space.
The Formtech bags also keep the interlocking teeth clean from rain, snow, mud and dirt.
And as I use the panels I have an instant garbage bag that keeps the site tidy of cut pieces, making it easy to carry it all away.
It is easy for one person to carry the panels around the job site. No unloading equipment is required. Individual pre-built blocks require more carrying trips in and out of the foundation hole. Put-together systems are subject to more transport damage and breakage from strapping, handling, and dropping. A block system is also hard to keep in place on windy job sites.
How important is the reversible tread design?
By having the reversible tread design you save having to inventory or order blocks in 4”, 6”and 8” sizes and store them inside, then also having to order a number of right corner block and left corner block in a 4”, 6”and 8” sizes. Talk about warehouse space!
Less Inventory equals less costs.
Everything about the system is very efficient. And time is money $$$!
What other features makes Formtech ICFs easier to build with?
Another issue is the fact that whatever system you use there are always door and window openings that have to be cut around. Formtech is easier and quicker to use. You only have a flat panel to cut and set on each side of the wall. Then as you slide your webs in, if it protrudes above the panel, you just leave it. There is room for them to slide into the bottom of the panel of the next course. You are eliminating cutting all the webbing.
Now how does that compare to a block system?
Well, you must balance and cut the one side of your block then flip it over and cut the other side. Not too bad so far, but then you have the additional step of getting a different tool-- usually a saws-all -- and cutting out the internal webbing that has to be removed or tin snips for metal webbing. Consider how many cuts and the additional hassle around every door and window opening.
Some may say ‘Yeah, but with a break-down system it takes additional time to slide in every individual web.’ How do you respond to that?
In my experience it is easier to slide in the webs than handle full cumbersome blocks from delivery to the job’s finish. The tradeoffs speak for themselves. There is less handling, damage, cutting, more per truckload to jobsite, less waste and improved strength. I think it’s faster, but at the very least it is equal in time.
In addition, you can add strength to a Formtech job because you can stagger every panel from inside to outside so that no two seams lineup from inside to outside. And you can eliminate the block floating up from the concrete hydraulic pressure because with panels you can tie all your upright steel in place as you build. When everything is tied in a grid your system is not going to float under pressure. With a block system, upright steel is inserted from the top of the last course so it can’t be tied at the bottom courses.
