What accessories do you need when you build a house with ICF blocks

When building a house with EPS ICF blocks, the blocks are only one part of the system. You normally need a range of ICF accessories, structural components, MEP accessories, and finishing products.

These are the accessories most directly related to assembling the ICF walls.

The ICF forms create the shape, but the reinforced concrete inside the forms provides the main structural strength.

You normally need:

***Vertical rebar
***Horizontal rebar
***Rebar tying wire
***Rebar chairs/spacers
***Rebar supports
***Mechanical couplers where required
***Anchor bolts
***Embedded plates
***Structural connectors
***Foundation-to-wall starter bars

The exact rebar size and spacing should come from the structural design.

For openings, you commonly need:

ICF bucks + reinforcement + anchors + flashing + waterproofing

Typical accessories include:

***Window bucks
***Door bucks
***Buck fastening hardware
***Header reinforcement
***Sill reinforcement
***Window/door mounting brackets
***Flashing
***Waterproof membranes/tapes
***Sealants
***Shims and spacers

The buck is especially important because it creates the rough opening and provides a mounting surface for the window or door.

For plumbing installation in ICF walls, you may need:

***Pipe clips/supports
***Pipe sleeves
***Wall penetration sleeves
***Plumbing brackets
***Pipe insulation
***Drainage fittings
***Waterproofing seals
***Penetration boots/seals
***Utility chases/service cavities

Large drainage pipes are usually routed through the floor, ceiling, shafts or service walls rather than trying to fit them into the ICF wall.

Typical electrical accessories include:

***ICF-compatible electrical boxes
***Outlet boxes
***Switch boxes
***Junction boxes
***Electrical conduit
***Conduit fittings
***Cable clips
***Cable supports
***Low-voltage boxes
***Data/network boxes
***Penetration sleeves
***Fire-stopping materials where required

Many smaller electrical runs can be routed through channels cut in the EPS.

These accessories are extremely important because the wall must remain straight during concrete placement.

You may need:

***ICF wall braces
***Alignment brackets
***Scaffolding/work platforms
***Strongbacks where required
***Concrete pump equipment
***Concrete vibrators
***Pour-stop/end-block accessories
***Temporary supports

The bracing and alignment system is one of the most important pieces of ICF installation equipment.

For an ICF house, foundation details may include:

***Footing reinforcement
***Starter rebar
***Anchor bolts
***Waterproofing
***Drainage board
***Perimeter drain pipe
***Sump pit/sump pump
***Foundation insulation
***Damp-proofing/waterproofing membranes
***Radon-control components where required

This is particularly important for ICF basements.

ICF walls need to connect properly to floors and roofs.

Possible accessories include:

***Joist hangers
***Floor ledger connectors
***Anchor bolts
***Embedded plates
***Structural straps
***Hurricane/wind clips
***Roof anchors
***Beam pockets
***Steel connectors
***Structural brackets
***Thermal-break components

For high-wind or seismic areas, these connections are especially important.

When constructing stairs with ICF walls, you may need:

***Embedded steel plates
***Rebar connections
***Stair anchors
***Concrete stair reinforcement
***Beam/stair connectors
***Formwork
***Handrail anchors

The stairs should connect to the structural concrete core, not rely on the EPS foam.

After the concrete is poured, the ICF wall still needs exterior finishing.

Depending on the design, you may use:

Stucco/render
***Reinforcing mesh
***Base coat
***Finish coat
***Corner beads
***Control-joint accessories
Siding
***Furring strips
***Fastening strips
***Siding brackets
***Starter strips
Brick veneer
***Brick ties
***Mortar accessories
***Flashing
***Weep holes
Stone veneer
***Mechanical anchors
***Lath
***Mortar/base coat
***Flashing

For drywall or plaster, you may need:

***Drywall screws
***Drywall fastening points
***Furring channels where required
***Corner beads
***Joint tape
***Joint compound
***Plaster mesh
***Trim
***Interior sealants

Because many ICF blocks include embedded plastic webs, these can provide convenient fastening locations for drywall and other interior finishes.

An ICF house is often relatively airtight, so HVAC and ventilation design needs to be coordinated with the building envelope.

You may need:

***HVAC penetrations
***Duct sleeves
***Mechanical brackets
***Refrigerant-line sleeves
***Condensate drains
***Ventilation ducts
***ERV/HRV equipment
***Exterior vent flashing
***Airtight penetration seals

For a company developing an EPS ICF product line, a complete accessory package can be a major selling advantage because contractors prefer a system where they can obtain the blocks, bucks, bracing, electrical boxes, reinforcement accessories, connectors, and finishing components from one coordinated system.

Learn More