| |
Comparison of popular wall systems
 
Above grade walls Below grade walls
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Above grade exterior walls
The top performer in each category will be highlighted in green, while the worst performers will be in red.
| |
ICF |
SIP |
2x4 spray foam |
2x4 batts |
| Natural air changes/hr |
.05 |
.05 |
.1 |
.5-1.0 |
| Thermal bridging |
No |
Minimal |
25% of wall |
25% of wall |
| Whole wall R-Value |
22, 24, or 28 guaranteed |
15 or 22.5 guaranteed |
10.5 guaranteed |
10.75 maybe |
| Thermal mass of 9' wall |
675 lbs/ft. |
30lbs/ft. |
32 lbs/ft. |
32 lbs/ft. |
| Heat reservior |
143 BTU/hr/degree |
8.6 BTU/hr/degree |
9.2 BTU/hr/degree |
9.2 BTU/hr/degree |
| Noise insulation |
STC 55 |
STC 29 |
unknown |
STC 34 |
| Burn rate |
2-3 hours |
1 hour |
20-30 minutes |
20-30 minutes |
| Offgassing |
None |
Slight |
Slight |
Slight |
| Strength |
7.5-38 times stronger |
2-7 times stronger |
Slightly stronger |
Baseline |
| Wind driven debris resistance (250 mph) |
Impenetrable |
Easily penetrated |
Even with brick facing, was still easily penetrated |
Easily penetrated |
| Life expectancy |
Indefinite |
Over 100 years
|
100 years |
100 years |
| Versatility |
Radiuses: Simple Cantilevers: Some
|
Radiuses: No Cantilevers:Yes |
Radiuses and Cantilevers: Yes |
Radiuses and Cantilevers: Yes |
| Cost |
7%+/- |
7%+/- |
4%+/- |
baseline |
 
Infrared thermal imaging comparing a super-insulated ICF home with an average stick built home.
Any questions?
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Below grade exterior walls
The top performer in each category will be highlighted in green, while the worst performers will be in red.
| |
ICF's |
SIP's |
Superior Walls© |
Poured walls with furring and insulation |
| Strength |
Very high |
Low |
High, when the right steps are taken in the right order |
High |
| R-value (thermal bridging is taken into account) |
22, 24, or 28 guaranteed |
19 |
5 is standard, can add up to 22.1 for a total of 27.1(for additional $$$) |
10.75 if it doesn't get damp. Could add 8.75 to the outside for a total of 19.5 (for additional $$$) |
| Footing usedω |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Insulation on outside |
Yes |
N/A |
No |
No, but it can be added outside below grade. Above grade is not insulated on the outside. |
| Thermal bridging |
None |
Yes, approximately 18% of wall area |
Yes, approximately 18% of wall area |
Yes, 18% of wall area unless insulation is added to outside |
| Waterproofing |
Continuous dimpled membrane has 2 water barriers. 30 year warranty. |
Either peastone or 6 mil visqueen is used. Warranty info is unavailable. |
Moisture resistant concrete, sealant applied to seams in panels. 15 year warranty. |
Usually a spray-on dampproofing is used, can install a spray on waterproofing that carries a 10 year warranty. |
| Versatility: radiuses and wall heights |
Very flexible, radiuses are simple and any wall height can be accomplished. |
No radiuses. 8' wall heights only. |
No radiuses. Multiple wall heights available. |
Very flexible, radiuses are simple and any wall height can be accomplished. |
| Life Expectancy |
Indefinite |
100 years +/- |
Indefinite |
Indefinite |
| Cost |
Very close to baseline |
Very close to baseline |
Usually just below baseline, but insulation is extra |
Baseline, but exterior insulation is extra |
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