| Frequently Asked
Questions About the Amvic ICF Building System |
Q - Is Amvic ICF Insulating Foam Forms
only used to build basements?
A - No! While many of our customers choose to
build only their basements/foundations from Amvic ICF
Insulating Foam Forms, many other customers build their
entire houses from the product.
Q - Why should I use Amvic ICF Insulating Foam Forms
(versus older, traditional building methods)?
A - Numerous reasons. Amvic ICF Insulating Foam
Forms build a stronger structure, offer built-in
insulating value of R-30+, withstand hurricane-force
winds, have a 3+ hour fire rating, offer sound reduction
value, are impervious to insects, don't support mold
growth, and help save trees. Furthermore, you
should expect to recoup some of your investment every
month in the form of energy savings (30-50% energy
savings is not uncommon), plus save money on your
mortgage (check with your insurance company).
Q - What are Amvic ICF
Insulating Foam Forms made of?
A - The body of the product is made from Expanded
Polystyrene (EPS), while the reinforcing webs inside are
made from strong polypropylene.
Q - Does Korit Sales sell this product
nationwide?
A - Unfortunately, no. We must limit sales
of Amvic Foam Forms only to customers who are located
within a 100 mile radius (approximately) from our
location in La Porte, Indiana, which is located in
northwestern Indiana. If you are not sure about
this availability, please call our customer service
department at (800) 837-5674, or email
us.
To customers outside of that radius, we regret that we
can not offer you this particular product, but hope you
will consider all of the other items we offer!
With the exception of Amvic Foam Forms, all of the other
products that Korit Sales offers are sold nationwide.
Q - How does this product ship to
me?
A - The forms are palletized and wrapped
with stretch film. They are shipped to you via
common carrier. Please remember that we can only
sell Amvic Foam Forms to customers who are located
within approximately a 100 mile radius of La Porte,
Indiana.
Q - What does an Amvic House look like when it is finished?
A - An AMVIC home looks like any conventional new home on the outside and inside. The window sills are deeper since the walls are thicker. Very few people can tell the difference between ICF construction and other types of construction.
Q - How is the exterior of an Amvic ICF
Insulating Foam Form home finished?
A - With virtually any conventional finish.
For example, you can use siding, stucco, or brick.
Proper planning should be considered. Check the AMVIC Tech Manual for details.
Q - I would like to apply stucco. Is this a
problem?
A - No problem. Any type of stucco can be applied directly to the EPS Forms.
Q - How long do we need to wait after placing the concrete to backfill or put floor and roof systems onto the Amvic ICF Walls?
A - You should wait a minimum of seven days and follow guidelines set by your structural engineer.
Q - Do Amvic ICF walls sweat?
A - No. EPS Foam is a poor conductor of heat and cold. Therefore, water vapor that may be present in the structure will not condense on the walls.
Q - Will termites eat the EPS Foam?
A - No. Termites do not eat the Amvic Foam. Termites will, however, burrow through the foam to get to wood.
Q - We would like to build our house ourselves. Can we buy your system and install it?
A - Yes. Based on your comfort level you
should be able to install the Amvic ICF Building System by yourself. You should, however, employ an ICF contractor to assist you with the concrete placement activities.
Q - Do you have to use special plans for the Amvic ICF System?
A - No at all. Conventional house plans can be used. You must simply have the exterior wall thickness increased to show the AMVIC Wall.
Q - How tall can you build with the Amvic Building System?
A - A structural engineer should design buildings that are constructed with the AMVIC Building System, but the sky is the limit.
Q - Can the concrete being placed in the Amvic Forms be mechanically vibrated?
A - Yes. Amvic Forms are engineered to withstand the rigors of internal vibration. Amvic recommends the use of internal vibration at all times. 'Patting' or 'tapping' the exterior of the forms is not an effective method of concrete vibration.
Q - Why are the ties of the Amvic Building System made of plastic and not metal?
A - Today's plastics offer strength, durability and lower thermal conductivity than metals, so plastic was chosen as the best way to create the leading ICF System.
Q - When the blocks are stacked, what holds them
together?
A - The Amvic ICF Insulated Concrete Forms are
designed with an interlocking waffle pattern area on the
top and bottom of each block. The blocks are
quickly stacked similar to stacking children's plastic
building blocks. Each row (course) of blocks is
set on top of the previous course and pressed into
place, so that they interlock. And, of course, the
blocks must have reinforcing rod (rebar) put into place
within the blocks, and the blocks must be properly
braced, before concrete is poured (as indicated in the Installation
Manual).
Q - What ICF form sizes are available from Korit
Sales?
A - Korit Sales stocks an ample supply of 6"
ICF forms in our warehouse in northwestern Indiana.
8" forms are readily available, and ship from a
separate warehouse.
Q - What are the dimensions of the 6" Amvic
ICF Insulated Concrete Forms
A - The 6" Straignt Block sections measure
approximately 48" long by 11" wide, and are
16" tall when assembled. The 6" Corner
Block pieces measure approximately 26 1/2" long by
14 1/2" wide (at the widest part of the corner),
and are 16" tall when assembled. The blocks
are designed in such a way as to interlock approximately
1 1/8", making for a very strong design.
Q - Do the Amvic forms give off any gasses?
A - No. The Amvic forms are inert, non-toxic and do not "off gas".
Q - Why is The Amvic ICF building system better?
A - The AMVIC System is a "2005" Model, whereas most other ICFs on the market have had some shortcomings. AMVIC
ICF Forms are designed to perform at a level unmatched in the ICF Industry.
You can also see for yourself the many ways Amvic ICF
Insulated Concrete Forms are better than conventional
building methods by clicking here.
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Still have
questions? Please feel free to call us at
(800) 837-5674, or click
here. |
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