New Home Construction - Rammed Earth or ICF?

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I'm looking to build my home from scratch and want it to be as energy efficient as possible without breaking the bank. I love the look of Rammed Earth walls but haven't seen many ICF examples. Does anyone have any advice regarding Rammed Earth? Costs about average for other Masonry construction or cost prohibitive? Thanks!

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PRO

Sustainable Dwellings

11 years ago

We have built an awesome ICF house... about 4,000 Sq Ft. and it will endure the test of climate and wear and tear.... We have an acquaintance who built a straw bale home... can't sell it, cannot get financing, It has been sitting empty for years.... and the interior was absolutely gorgeous! I think Rammed Earth is good, depending on what part of the country you live in. ICF homes will endure hurricanes and 200 MPH winds, AND, the temp in this house never varies more than two degrees.( It is inground, 8" ICF which gave us 13" thick walls.

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Comments (12)

vitalbodies
11 years ago
You might check what is allowed in terms of codes as that might narrow down your choices.

Also have you consider prefabricated Eco solutions?

I like Eco and natural and I like what works for the local weather/environment.
Robert Zamora
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
The question doesn't have to do with codes, either option is allowed. The question has to do with those who may have had to make the same decision for either of these materials and if there were any pros or cons to one or the other. Thanks.
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vitalbodies
11 years ago
Nice you have both options!
I have not built there.
My only suggestion is to not build on the huge uranium deposits in the area that go from Prescott over and down to Tucson.

Love the national parks in your area and the Lightning storms!
Robert Zamora
Original Author
11 years ago
If you have nothing useful to contribute, please do not comment. Thank you.
PRO
Envirotekonline, LLC
11 years ago
Have you looked into building an ICF home? They are concrete and double insulated, very energy efficient!
Another Thyme
11 years ago
If you are thinking about an ICF home you may want to google them and research them. Have you thought about a straw bale house? Very intriguing.
Robert Zamora
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you Sustainable Dwellings, exactly the info I was looking for. I've researched all of the usual materials, straw bale being one of them, and that's why I posed the question between rammed or ICF. Much appreciated.
PRO
Envirotekonline, LLC
11 years ago
Straw bale works, but finding the right material properly dried could be time consuming. A have a relative in Canada who built her house this way, it was quite a learning experience because problems with the bale. They did it anyway and the insulation works fine. ICF is easy to work with, several companies manufacture the forms in Canada and the US and more and more builders are getting familiar with the product; the final result is great.
PRO
SmartWall
11 years ago
Its may be a little outside of what you are entertaining but when it comes to insulation, a more traditional construction methods and cost, you may want to check out a product called Enduramax High Performance Wall System. Its a complete wall system integrating the insulation and exterior veneer in one operation. www.enduramaxwallssytem.com
PRO
Forever Green Concrete Forms
11 years ago
I can help with questions regarding ICF block if you have any. Sorry, I am not that familiar with rammed earth. Feel free to visit our website or give me a call. 210-862-0644.

Karen

FOREVER GREEN CONCRETE FORMS
PRO
The Forever House USA
11 years ago
Rammed Earth and ICF are both good systems. With rammed earth you limited on design, the structure will be boxy because the material used to create it. It will also be extremely labor intensive costing at least 10-20% more than a traditional home (stick). Rammed earth material is said to be easy to acquire, though. The ICF system is not a do-it-yourself system. It takes some training to be able to complete form bracing and the concrete pouring. ICF is energy efficient and can withstand climatic weather.

This may be a little outside what you were inquiring about, but steel reinforced concrete panels may be something that you want to look into. Feel free to visit my website or contact me.