From: J.M. Snow (jsnow_at_asl.fs.uidaho.edu)
Date: 10/11/02
From: "J.M. Snow" <jsnow_at_asl.fs.uidaho.edu> Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2002 08:31:28 PST8PDT Subject: Re: coating styrofoam Message-ID: <102D31866C04@asl.fs.uidaho.edu>
Dan,
The foam-form system worked out great for me. I had a fellow
helping to do the footer and the job was crappy -- not level and not
layed out correctly. Needless to say, he was gone after that and I
had trouble finding someone to take over and finish the foundation.
With the foam forms I was able to find help and get it done. I
worked with a supplier who took the plans and did all the angle set
ups and everything. They delivered them in sections and we set
them up, put in the rebar, braced them and did the pour.
They were a bit pricey ($2700 for an average 4' high wall) but saved
quite a bit in forming (and tear down) labor. And of course they do
provide some insulation for the space (more important if you're
doing a basement but I have my pressure tank for my water
system in the crawl space so I need to keep it from freezing.)
I've heard that some jurisdictions require the interior to be covered
with sheetrock (even in a crawl space) due to concerns of off
gassing in a fire but that didn't become an issue here. Also some
have said that carpenter ants can get into the foam and nest. I
think most of the new stuff is injected with insecticide to reduce
this problem. We have carpenter ants here but I've not seen any
sign of problems.
If I were to do another, I'd probably go with a treated wood
foundation. It's a lot more forgiving and user friendly than concrete.
I would guess cheaper, too.
Janet
Date forwarded: Wed, 9 Oct 2002 19:57:46 -0700
From: "J & D Goldman" <jmgoldma_at_dwx.com>
>
> > I recently saw a product made to apply to the surface of extruded
> > styrofoam insulation, often used around basements. Its a concrete
> > like material, intended to protect the styrofoam from bangs and
> > gouges. Comes in a 5 gallon can (at Menards) to which one adds
> water.
> > Has anyone worked with something like this for a dome? Foam
> panels
> > with this material on top as a stucco? Would it help support and
> > protect the panels, or just weigh them down and make them sag? I
> know
> > Grailcoat is formulated to be applied to wood. Just
> wondered... -Dan
> > G.
> >
>
> I used a foam form system for my foundation wall. I coated it with a
> tar-like substance for water resistence before backfilling around it.
> Where it is above ground, it is fairly easily chipped and gouged so
> something like this would be nice but I wonder how good it really is
> as it seems that with the soft backing it would crack and chip fairly
> easily, too. I'd also be interested if anyone has had experience with
> it. Do you have a name for the product?
>
> Janet
>
> Yes, I've seen a lot of the tar-like products. I think they are
> often applied directly to concrete or stone foundation walls to
> prevent moisture intrusion. I didn't know it could be used on
> styrofoam.
> This stuff is called Instant Foundation Insulation Coating, made by
> Stone Mason, sold at Menards in a 50 lb bag for $17. It says it
> covers 115 sq ft at 1/16 inch. It would be interesting to know if
> this is really anything special, or whether there are comparable
> products for less cost, or even whether some garden variety concrete
> mix (available for under $2 a bag) would work just as well. I
> suspect cracking might be an issue on a dome unless the panels were
> *really* rigid. You do get some shrink/swell underground, but there
> is usually some moisture, so this stuff might not be formulated to sit
> in open air and dry out. Just some guesses there. If anyone has
> experience doing any of this, I'd like to hear your comments.
>
> Janet, I've been thinking about using some of those styro blocks
> myself - starting as the riser wall for my dome shed. I've looked at
> Blue Max and a number of brands. They are all a bit different in terms
> of features, but basically all the same idea. Any thoughts to share
> on how they were to purchase, use, etc.? Strong and weak points?
> Things you'd do differently *next* time...?
>
> -Dan G.
>