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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