What’s required for my unfinished ICF basement? The BuildBlock Intertek IRR1003, requires a 15 minute fire barrier for all EPS that is exposed to the interior of the building. This can be drywall, which is typically the most cost effective method, stucco, plaster, EIFS, wood paneling, or any other finish product with a 15 minute fire rating. A stem wall or any other ICF wall below grade would not require anything as it is below a slab, however any area that is used for living space, storage, as an air transfer with the home, or is planned to be anything more than utility
READ MORE →BuildBlock Field Notes are technical updates for professionals and homeowners about building with Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs). These short videos address a variety of topics. If there is something specific you’d like to know more about please contact us 866-222-2575 or [email protected]
READ MORE →Growing up in Oklahoma, BuildBlock is familiar with tornadoes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. That’s one of the reasons BuildBlock designed our products the way we did. Tight interlocks, integrated rebar hangers, and other features that take the hassle out of building with ICFs. BuildBlock has added FEMA Compliant Safe Room Plans to its technical manuals and detail sheets.View the gallery below to see how this product integrates inside a conventional wood built home and visit our Safe Rooms page for more information. Our national design partners, Nelson Design Group is in the process of converting their standard safe rooms and
READ MORE →Check out what one of our customers said about his first BuildBlock experience. “I’d like to have my dream home built with ICF’s in a couple years. So, about a year ago I decided I wanted to get a little experience and build an ICF storm shelter myself. I know this was a bit of an ambitious project for someone who works in a completely different industry and who had never seen an ICF block in person until I had the full semi load delivered to my yard a few months ago. I also didn’t want to take any time
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