Fix It Anyway

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” A time tested proverb, right?

Well, I came across an ad for GMC trucks the other day that talked about using a rolled steel process rather than the normal stamped steel for making the truck bed. Even though there’s nothing wrong with the stamped steel process, they found they could make truckbeds lighter, stronger and more durable using a different process. GMC calls this mind-set “an adamant desire to fix the unbroken.”

R-Stak inserts are a full eight feet long

That’s what we're doing with our R-Stak^TM inserts. Gluing and screwing EPS boards to the outside of an ICF wall is a perfectly fine way to add more insulation. It’s been done that way for a long time. Except it leaves the studs buried 2.5” from the outside surface so you need longer screws and a better aim with the screwgun to fasten your exterior finish.

Other ICF companies came up with the idea of moving the extra insulation to the inside of the cavity. They make 8 inch wide EPS inserts that slip between the cross ties inside the ICF where the concrete goes. That usually works ok, too. And then you don’t need such long screws to reach the studs because they’re right there near the surface.

We took that good idea and made it great with R-Stak^TM inserts.  Full 2 foot x 8 foot panels that drop into the concrete cavity in one motion and use only fraction of the labor. We make two standard thicknesses, but customization is a piece of cake so you can have just about whatever thickness you need.

Expander clip holds R-Stak firmly in place

Our flexible manufacturing lets us make the cavity up to 24” wide so you can easily add ridiculous amounts of insulation and have as thick a concrete wall as you want. Ingenious expander clips snap into place and secure the R-Stak^TM insert without need for glue or screws.

America wants energy efficient structures that stand up to Mother Nature. That doesn't have to be hard, and PolycreteUSA just keeps making it easier. 

Adding extra insulation to your ICF wall wasn't a broken process, but we fixed the hell out of it anyway. Call us today to learn how we can simplify your project. 

Polycrete Moves The Target Again With Two Major ICF Innovations

Polycrete’s engineering and manufacturing folks have come up with two more advancements that will make it easier for you to design and build energy efficient structures that stand up to Mother Nature. I don’t know which of these is the bigger deal.

A few months ago we told you that size really does matter and announced that we can now make Big Block wide enough to accommodate up to 24" of concrete. Well, height matters, too. 

Since we already make Polycrete Big Block™ in 12”, 18” and 24” heights, we we thought you would want the option of mixing and matching panel heights on each block. We call it Polycrete Split Block™.

So if you have a slab turning down into an ICF wall and you need 24” height on the outside of the wall and 12” on the inside, you don’t have to rip it in the field anymore. We can make that for you. Saves time. Reduces waste.  

Any concrete core width from 5-1/2” to 24” in three different heights that can be mixed and matched on the same block. It just keeps getting easier.

The second innovation is Big Block Premium™. We’re now using BASF’s advanced technology Neopor polystyrene beads to give you the choice of a higher  R value ICF. 

Standard EPS has a minimum R value of 4.00 per inch at 75 deg. F.  BASF’s Neopor  is nearly 15% higher, at 4.53 per inch. Tiny graphite particles added to the EPS act as infrared absorbers and infrared reflectors which greatly reduces thermal conductivity. 

That means the EPS insulation alone is at least R22.65 and an R30 wall is much easier to achieve. As always, the R values quoted here are minimum ratings under ASTM C518. Some ICF manufacturers may claim their products carry higher R-values than this. If they claim it, make them back it up and show you their test results. 

Polycrete Big Block Premium™ with Neopor gets you more energy efficiency  with the same 
EPS thickness and it costs less than 20¢ more per square foot.

Polycrete Big Block™ is a commercial grade insulated concrete forming (ICF) system.  ICFs are forms for building reinforced concrete walls. The forms stay in place after the concrete cures and serve as insulation for the building. Sheetrock attached directly to the ICF on the inside and all conventional exterior finishes attach directly to the outside surface. Polycrete® lets you build faster , stronger and more efficient than traditional methods.

Smart Apartment Developers Stay on Top

Multi-family construction is booming right now and demand seems insatiable. But we all know that's not going to last. Smart developers look to maximize value for the long term and solid, energy efficient construction pays off.

According to a Rent.com survey, 86% of Americans would prefer to live in an eco-friendly space and 55% of those are willing to pay more in rent to do so.  Additionally,  42 % were willing to pay up to an extra  $100  to live in a green apartment, and 13% would pay even more than that.

PolycreteUSA believes sustainable construction must also be fast, strong and economical. That's why we're dedicated to making it EASY to design, build and own energy efficient buildings.

Smart developers know that Polycrete Big Block commercial grade insulated concrete form system eliminates subcontractors, saves money and gets their project completed fast. Polycrete®  ICFs get you a structural wall, fully insulated and ready for interior and exterior finishes all in one step.   IT’S EASY.

ICFs are forms for building reinforced concrete walls. After the concrete cures, the forms stay in place and serve as both the building’s insulation and the attachment point for sheet rock and your exterior finish.

There's a tax benefit to building with Polycrete, too. In order to encourage energy efficient construction, The Energy Policy Act of 2005 allows building owners to earn a Section 179D Federal Income Tax deduction of up to $1.60 per square foot. It's valid through the end of 2014.

But there are a whole bunch of other benefits to building ICF Multi-Families. That section 179D deduction is peanuts compared to your annual recurring savings. Here’s a few to mull over:

• Annual insurance costs will be significantly lower than “sticks and bricks” because concrete buildings don’t burn like wooden ones do.
• Monthly common area HVAC costs will be 40% less because your envelope walls will be R26+ and have minimal air infiltration.
• Occupancy rate will be higher. Here’s 2 reasons:
• Energy efficient apartments are more desirable (lower cost) to tenants.
• Acoustic values of STC 52+ make a very quiet building and superior acoustic performance increases occupancy rates.
• Lower construction interest. ICF walls go up much faster than wood. What’s your interest saving going to be if you shave the last 4 weeks off your construction loan and accelerate your rental revenue by a month?

A recent Massachusetts Institute of Technology study found that concrete buildings have a useful life of 75 years. This means that condo conversions will sell faster and when you divest yourself of your property 15 years from now, you’ll be selling a 21st century high-performance multi-family development only 20% into its useful life.

Savvy apartment developers know that environmentally friendly apartments have a lower turnover velocity and new green developments lease up fast. As multifamily development continues towards saturation, developers need to know about our company. Contact us today to learn more. PolycreteUSA.com   800-570-4313