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Builder interview

An interview with Brad Hebig, president of High Plains Foam, on breakdown panel systems against pre-assembled block systems.

Formtech has long been the ICF system of choice for Brad Hebig, president of High Plains Foam, one of Colorado's larger ICF builders. In the following interview he explains why he chooses to build with Formtech ICFs and outlines the features that substantiate his endorsement.

Why do you use Formtech ICFs with so many available on the market?

Because it is the only ICF that offers a breakdown system versus a block system, while also having the reversible tread. Some systems are breakdown without the reversibility and some reverse but are a put-together block system.

Why does this matter?

The breakdown system means less shipping and waste. And it makes it easier to tie all my steel. A put-together block system adds a dollar to a dollar fifty per block in freight cost.

How does the breakdown packaging make a difference?

Formtech comes in tightly packed, thick opaque plastic bags; ten panels per bag or five full blocks. This makes it practical for outside storage without fear of damage by sun, rain, wind or snow. It does not have to be warehoused, saving on warehouse cost and space. The bags also keep the interlocking teeth clean from rain, snow, mud and dirt. And as I use the panels I have an instant garbage bag that keeps the site tidy of cut pieces. It is easy for one person to carry the panels around the job site and no unloading equipment is required.

How important is the reversible tread design?

By having the reversible tread design you save having to inventory or order blocks in 4, 6 and 8 inch sizes and store them inside, then also having to order a number of right corner blocks and left corner blocks in each of those sizes. Less inventory equals less cost.

What other features make Formtech ICFs easier to build with?

Whatever system you use there are always door and window openings that have to be cut around. You only have a flat panel to cut and set on each side of the wall. Then as you slide your webs in, if one protrudes above the panel, you just leave it; there is room for them to slide into the bottom of the panel of the next course. You are eliminating cutting all the webbing. With a block system you must balance and cut one side of your block, flip it over and cut the other side, then get a different tool and cut out the internal webbing.

Some say a breakdown system takes additional time to slide in every individual web. How do you respond?

In my experience it is easier to slide in the webs than handle full cumbersome blocks from delivery to the job's finish. There is less handling, damage and cutting, more per truckload to the jobsite, less waste and improved strength. In addition, you can stagger every panel from inside to outside so that no two seams line up. And you can eliminate the block floating up from the concrete hydraulic pressure, because with panels you can tie all your upright steel in place as you build. When everything is tied in a grid your system is not going to float under pressure. With a block system, upright steel is inserted from the top of the last course so it cannot be tied at the bottom courses.