Is Your Home Energy Efficient For The New Century?
With the way utility costs are steadily increasing, existing wooden houses, and those being built today will, in 10 years, have monthly utility payments that exceed the monthly house payment. The following infrared pictures of 2 side by side homes are selfexplanatory:
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina made history as the most devastating storm in U.S history. Pushed by 150-mph winds, a tidal surge estimated at 22 feet high swept through Alabama and Mississippi, wiping entire towns off the map. All that is left of one neighborhood outside Pass Christian, Miss., is row after row of concrete slabs— and one ICF home. It stands as a prime example of the durability of ICF construction. Houses built out of wood suffered severe hurricane damage, while homes next to them, constructed out of concrete, had much less damage.
More Than 250 Homes Burn as Wildfires Ravage Southern California: Powerful Santa Ana winds kicked up before dawn Sunday, driving two ferocious firestorms that had already burned more than 200 homes, across more lawns and rooftops. In a canyon at the edge of Claremont, about 50 homes were destroyed. Interestingly enough, the only home left standing was a home built out of concrete for Mr. and Mrs. Bruce. “Even though the house needs extensive renovation, all of our possessions are intact,” said Mr. Bruce, “Luckily, we built it using ICFs.
Build Better Basements:
Most Logix Xtra Comfort Basements are built to your desired ceiling height (9' ceilings are very popular) with our 6.25" or 8" concrete core thickness. Larger basements, taller walls more extreme site conditions may require wider concrete cores
Need To Know Facts
When you build with Logix Pro, your Logix Xtra Comfort Basement will have a thermal performance of R25. Higher levels of thermal performance can be achieved by upgrading to Logix Platinum Series (R28) or using the Logix D-Rv Panel (up to R37). Logix offers engineering tables and the online One Minute Engineer. Both resources comply with prevailing and accepted concrete design standards and conventions. Logix perscriptive engineering covers a wide range of typical residential applications and thus for many Logix XtraComfort Basements site specific engineering is not required to obtain a building permit. As well, many municipalities will allow a Logix basement to be built from conventional plans, though a simple addendum on the existing building plans may be required. A typical Logix Xtra Comfort Basement will generally cost about the same or possibly somewhat less than a comparable conventionally poured basement finished with 2x6 framing and full R-20 batt insulation. To receive your occupancy permit you will have to finish your Logix basement with drywall (which means you will also have had to install your electrical as well). These finishing steps are needed to finish a conventional basement as well, but are not required to obtain an occupancy permit.For this comparable cost, unlike regular basements, a Logix Xtra Comfort Basement will feel as comfortable as another main level of the home. Plus, a Logix steel reinforced 6.25" concrete wall is stronger and more crack-resistant than a typical 8" concrete wall built without steel reinforcement
| Logix XtraComfort Basement | Conventional Basement |
|
Effective R-Value R-25 |
R-17 |
|
Continuous Insulation YES |
NO |
|
Damp or Waterproofed? WATERPROOFED |
DAMP PROOFED |
|
Concrete Core Thickness 6.25" |
8" |
|
Steel Reinforced (1) YES |
NO |
| 9' Ceiling Heights Easily Achieved |
Requires Special Forms |
Swimming Pools / Hot Tubs
Logix ICF is an ideal choice when building swimming pools. Logix "6 Steps in 1" ICF offers a speed of build that is typically faster than other methods. Plus, Logix blocks are easy to handle, and no heavy equipment is required for delivery, lifting or cutting (an important consideration for difficult-to-access backyards). Logix also easily forms curved walls that are commonly found in pools.
Experts calculate that up to 80% of a pool's heat is lost through its sides and bottom due to the fact that the ground conducts heat far more efficiently than air does. Combined with radiant floor heating and Heat-Sheet® radiant panels, a durable Logix pool lowers your energy bills for years to come and can even extend your swimming season in northern climates