Insulating Concrete Forms - Frequently Asked Questions

 1  Why should I build my new home using PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms?

• Energy efficiency: Expect to reduce your heating bills by as much as 33% - 80%
• Safety: 3hr fire rating, resists 300 mph winds
• Healthy, more comfortable home: No organic matter for mould to grow. Constant temperature - difference between floor and ceiling temp is 2°C versus 6°C in timber frame home
• Design flexibility: build whatever you want to.
• Environmentally friendly.
• Speed of build: 0.72m2 of wall space every time a form is laid.
• Proven history: 30 years in the US. Market leader. Now setting NEW standards in ICF construction in Europe.

 2  What is PolySteel?

• PolySteel combines solid, reinforced concrete with high-density expanded polystyrene and galvanated welded steel within their insulated concrete forms. It has set a new standard for the construction industry by creating structures that are quieter, more comfortable, energy efficient and structurally secure than those built with the increasingly outmoded traditional building systems we have come to accept as the standard way to build.

 3  Why should I choose PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF's)?

• Unique steel ties and furring strips. 3 hour fire rating, dimensional stability, stronger attachment points.
• Quicker installation. Polypro and Flat Wall are 0.72m2 per form - 50% larger than most other ICF's.  Four courses for an 2.4 metre high wall.
• Full range of products. Corners, 45's, flat wall (PSI 4000) and Polypro.
• Better flow ability in PSI 4000 due to open grid design
• Ease of construction:  (i) Tongue and groove (ii) Wet set (iii) Panelising.
• 30 year history: One of the longest in the Insulating Concrete Form market.

 4  Is it expensive to build a PolySteel house?

A PolySteel home should be cheaper and quicker to build than an equivilent timber frame or brick and block house but you get so much more for your money as there are also labour and energy savings as well as year on year savings on your heating bills.

 5  Where can I see photographs of buildings under construction made of PolySteel?

Look into the gallery on this site and you will see construction being done in many areas of the United Kingdom and Southern Ireland.

 6  Do you provide the floor system as well?

We can provide a floor system if you wish.  The system is versatile and will accept a variety of floors, from plate flooring to silent floors.

 7  What sort of concrete do you recommend?

It depends on the structure you are building. Generally we use a C35 pump mix with a 10mm rounded aggregate.

 8  Do PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF's) have BRE approval?

Yes. Full  BRE Certification since 8th September 2006. We also have LANTAC approval throughout England & Wales.

 9  Will my new PolySteel home come with a 10 yr guarantee so I can get a mortgage?

PolySteel homes are accepted by NHBC, Premier & Building Life Plans and will therefore attract upto 12 year latent defects warranty.

10 How long will it take to get my PolySteel forms?

Most PolySteel forms are manufactured in the UK.  Delivery to site is generally 14 days from receipt of order (subject to cleared funds).

11 How long will it take to build my new home?

This depends on the size of your new home.  For your first self-build, an average home, two story around 160 sq metres with the base already poured, allow 1 week to put up the external Polysteel walls and pour them.

12 How much will my project cost?  How do I estimate?

This depends on the size or your home.  For a detailed estimate, please send us a copy of your plans or ask your architech for total m2 of wall area excluding number of openings and we will give you an estimate based on the number of forms required.

13 My chosen builder has no knowledge of Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF's) and wants to build me a brick house.

We provide training courses for builders and can certify them as a PolySteel Trained Installer. This will give them the opportunity to be our first point of contact for future work in your area, giving them an excellent business opportunity.

14 Can I build my own home using PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms? What training do I need?

Yes, you can build your own home using PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF's). We offer a two (2) day training course, depending on your level of building knowledge, and you will need to complete this to become a PolySteel Trained Installer before building your home.

15 My local council says that I have to use brick.

Build with PolySteel, put bricks on the outside. Wall ties can be attached to our forms and the wall constructed as per usual. Alternatively you can use a brick veneer.  You can attach a wide range of finishes to PolySteel including render, stucco, cladding, brick, veneer.
Environmentally friendly construction, safety and energy efficiency are qualities important to Local Councils.

16 What about tradesman such as electricians, plumbers, plasterers, etc?

PolySteel provide clear guidelines for all follow on trades. Please note there is a need to create openings for plumbing, gas etc., that go through the external wall before the concrete is poured.

17 What is the difference between the PolyPro and PSI 4000 ranges?

PolyPro is a plastic tie form which is delivered flat packed and is put together on site.
We recommend the PSI 4000 range for most applications due to the strength of our steel ties.

18 Is a waffle grid form available?

The main advantage of waffle grid is less concrete mass making it ideal for seismic zones. Although we don't plan on manufacturing the waffle grid (PS3000) here within the UK it is available from our suppliers within the US. There is however, a 6 week turn-around and increased cost due to the shipping charges.

19 What is the life span of polystyrene (EPS)?

EPS has a half life of 1200 years.
Concrete is hundreds of years, if not thousands.

20 Does EPS burn and give off toxic fumes?

4 hr fire rating in the USA, first ICF to achieve this. The EPS will not hold a flame.
Less toxic than white pine when burnt. When burnt it gives off water vapour, carbon dioxide and a little soot.

21 Is it environmentally friendly?

EPS, when used for insulation saves 150 times the energy required to produce the EPS in less than 50 years. Both EPS and steel are 100% recyclable as is concrete.

22 How can I learn more?

The comprehensive PolySteel Users Manual and technical support materials are available. We want you to build with PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF's), and we offer you, your builder, architect, and/or engineer the best technical support in the industry. Please contact us for further details.

23 What is the PolySteel UK warranty?

PolySteel UK Limited's insulating concrete forms are warranted to be free from manufacturing defects arising from workmanship or defects in material which may cause the PolySteel UK Forms to be unusable as a form for concrete.  This warranty is effective ONLY if the PolySteel UK forms are installed in accordance with the Installation Manual or any other installation instructions or guidelines published by PolySteel UK Limited, and local building codes, and only if PolySteel UK Limited has received written notice of defects within 30 days of the first discovery of a defect but in any event no later than within one year of the date of shipment by PolySteel UK Limited.

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH ABOVE, POLYSTEEL UK Limited, MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTEES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
PolySteel UK Limited's liability and the purchaser's sole and exclusive remedy from alleged defects in the materials or manufacturing of the PolySteel UK forms shall be limited to the replacement of an equivalent amount of product or a refund of the invoice charged (as PolySteel UK Limited may elect) if payment has been made.

In no event shall PolySteel UK Limited be liable for any consequential or incidental damages, losses, costs, or expenses of any person of any kind (including without limitation, loss of profits or injury to credit, reputation, or goodwill) directly or indirectly resulting from any alleged breach of warranty contained in this Manufacturer's Warranty.  This does not affect your statutory rights.

24 What type of electrical cable must I use for wiring my home?

We recommend that the use of "Low-Smoke" cable for wiring throughout your home as this is not affected from migration or leaching which occurs with EPS.  The good news is that the "Low-Smoke" cable should not cost more than standard cable and we are able to offer advice on supply and costs. Ref (IEE Regulations 16th Edition, which calls for upgrading of cable capacity, which is necessary because of insulation surrounding the cable).