Anatomy of a Green Building - Lesson 2 - Foundation Walls

Tuesday, June 21, 2011
By Matt Sutter, Chief Executive Officer
In Sustainability

Killing Two Birds with one stone. This is one of the hallmarks of a green building. Looking for opportunities to achieve multiple goals with one system or product is all about doing more with less.

In a typical building with a lower level, formwork is used to construct a concrete foundation wall. Insulation is then applied to the concrete wall to reduce the amount of energy that leaks out through that wall. One product, formwork, is used to shape the wall. A second product, concrete, is used for strength. A third product, insulation, is used to improve energy efficiency in the wall. A fourth and final product - metal studs - is used to prepare the wall for drywall. 4 steps - 4 different products to create 1 wall.

Enter Graphite Legos - What? Yes, oversized interlocking foam and graphite blocks that actually Kill Three Birds with One Stone. The insulated concrete forms (ICFs) serve multiple functions with one installation. The ICFs are forms that don't have to be taken apart, they are a fantastic insulator, and they have a built in strip for attaching drywall to. In effect, Killing Three Birds with one stone.

The Logix ICFs are stacked together like 4' long legos to create a permanent form that does not have to be dismantled. After alignment and bracing, the ICFs are pumped full of concrete which give the wall its strength. The Logix ICF has a very high insulating value and also have built in strips for drywall to be attached to. No studs are required which saves space, time and money.

Did you know that a building which has a lower level that is buried in the ground loses about 33 percent of its energy through the top half of the foundation wall. The Logix ICFs have a high tech graphite ingredient that reduces the infrared energy that transfers through the wall. These ICFs have an R value of 27, which is more than twice that of a traditional insulated 2x4 stud wall. This significantly reduces the amount of energy that the building uses and increases comfort. Multiple benefits for less cost. That is truly Green!

So, remember always Kill at least Two Birds with one stone. If you can, get the third bird as well.

Matt Sutter
SōL Harris/Day Architecture
msutter@harrisday.com
330.493.3722

Anatomy of Our Team
Foundation Design
Dan Grinstead - Hammontree and Associates
330.499.8817 - www.hammontree-engineers.com

ICFs-Logix
www.logixicf.com

Installer
Charis Homes
330.833.4527 - www.charishomes.com

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