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You are here: Home / The Build / Week 2: Insulated Concrete Form ICF Foundation

The Build

Week 2: Insulated Concrete Form ICF Foundation

How to install ICF foundation

We started building our own home about 3 weeks ago, this week we worked on the ICF foundation. After the foundation footing concrete was poured last week, it was left to dry for a day or two before removing the forms. This past week the guys got everything ready to start the foundation walls – this included installing the weeping tile all around the footings, and then covering the weeping tile with more gravel.

Concrete footings for an owner builder raised bungalow

Why an ICF foundation?

We decided to do Fox Blocks insulated concrete forms (ICF) for the foundation. ICF foundations are more energy efficient than regular poured concrete foundations. It does cost a little more, but this is one part of the house that we decided to spend a little extra money. We want the basement to be dry and warm, and an ICF foundation is the way to achieve this.

Fox block insulated concrete forms

Installing the forms

Here is a picture of the progress after the first day of installing the Fox Block. The blocks themselves are fairly easy to install, they just stack right on top of each other. Some blocks need to be cut, and this can end up taking a bit more time (especially when I make a mistake and end up cutting the same block twice!) The rebar then has to be placed in each row. All the blocks are clipped together to increase the strength.

Fox block insulated concrete forms ICF foundation

After three days of installing the ICF foundation it is pretty much finished. This is the view from the front of the house…

Fox block insulated concrete forms ICF foundation

…and the view from the back.

Fox block insulated concrete forms ICF foundation

Next week will be finishing what’s left of the forms, bracing it, then pouring the concrete.

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Previous Post: « Week 1: How to form and pour foundation footings
Next Post: Week 3: Pouring concrete for a new home foundation »

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  1. Week 1: Forming and Pouring the Footings | The Vanderveen House says:
    November 18, 2016 at 11:37 am

    […] here for Week 2: Insulated Concrete […]

    Reply
  2. Week 1: Forming and Pouring the Footings – The Vanderveen House says:
    January 13, 2017 at 2:23 am

    […] here for Week 2: Insulated Concrete […]

    Reply
  3. Week 3: Concrete For The Foundation • The Vanderveen House says:
    April 25, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    […] the concrete the insulated concrete forms (ICF) had to be braced so the wall didn’t fall over. (Last week we finished stacking all the ICF blocks) Wood pieces were also screwed to all the spots where the […]

    Reply

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Welcome! My name is Jessica Vanderveen. My husband and I, along with our four kids, are creating the home we love. We want to help you do the same! Read more about our renovation journey...

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