Waffle Slab Foundation vs. Reinforced Slab Foundation

Waffle slab are a re-invention of an old idea in the modern world. Slab foundations are a lot more common we see them when we: walk on the sidewalk, drive on the roads, or go down in our basements. So, how does one stack up against the other, and which one is better? There are pros and cons of each which you should consider when choosing your next house or garage foundation. 

Waffle slab foundation is type of foundation which is laid on grade and poured over interconnected boxes, which once done give the impression of a waffle pattern as can be seen in Figure 1. The benefits of such a system is its very effective when places on expansive soils. Expansive soils such as smectite clays¹ are soils which swell when they absorb water. This causes an uplift force and can lead uneven floors and cracks as the floor starts to shift under a regular slab. With a waffle slab though the soil fills in the crevices between the vertical reinforcement sections. This means that the house's foundation is capable of absorbing volume. It also saves on time since no excavation is required and no engineering fill is required. Some cons of a waffle slab foundation is it's not very useful on soft ground, since it sinks in and would require extra bored holes and piers for support². Waffle slabs use a special form which are placed and have concrete poured over them. This though limits their height to 375mm max². Pouring footings for slabs can be any depth up to 475mm and if you choose to place a grade beam then the possibilities are almost endless. Another issue is since the waffle slab lies on the ground houses constructed in this manner don't do well in high wind, or cyclonic areas. When high winds blow along a house's roof, it creates uplift pressure which could cause deformation of the slab and damage to it.

Figure 1: Waffle slab foundation

Most foundations that are built though, especially in suburbs are standard slab on grade, or reinforced slab foundations. Slab on grade meaning a concrete slab placed directly on the ground is very common and if you live in a single family house you most likely have one. A reinforced slab is very similar idea except it has steel reinforcements, otherwise known as rebar running underneath it. The slab itself is thicker which costs more materials, but this also makes it very  rigid. Some of the cons of reinforced slab foundations is expansive soils can lead to problems. Once the soil expands it causes the slab to bend and deform³. This repeated deformation causes cracks, failure as well as can push the house out of level. Other costs would include backfill costs, and purchase of non-expansive soils³. The convenience of a reinforced slab are that they can be build almost anywhere. You could build your house on the side of a slope while with a waffle slab, it must be built on level ground². SIBWEST Inc. recently build exactly that, a house on a steep slope, where we incorporated reinforce concrete slabs and slabs on grade. You can check out lots of our pictures taken directly from our previous projects on our site www.sibwest.ca.

In conclusion, waffle slab foundations do have their special niche where they can be cheaper, easier and outperform traditional reinforced slab. But reinforced slabs are a much older history meaning they have been tried and tested, as well as have been widely used. SIBWESET Inc. has been doing all types of concrete work for over 10 years. We have been “Building better and & faster than the competition”.

Call to Action: follow and add  SIBWEST INC.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrey-shurygin-34739421

http://www.facebook.com/sibwestinc/

http://www.twitter.com/IncSibwest
for more concrete related articles every Friday.

Citation
^1. Expansive Soil and Expansive Clay. Geology.com. [accessed 2017 Jun 1]. http://geology.com/articles/expansive-soil.shtml
^2. Cornell M. BEWARE WAFFLE SLABS. Cornell Engineers. 2017 May 7 [accessed 2017 Jun 1]. https://www.cornellengineers.com.au/beware-waffle-slabs/
^3. Ribbed Slab Foundation. Wafflemat USA. [accessed 2017 Jun 1]. http://wafflematusa.com/hybrid-systems/ribbed-slab-foundation/

Wonderland and its use of Shotcrete and Concrete

When people mention shotcrete, most will be met with confused looks. Shotcrete is concrete, but applied in a very different way from conventional concrete. When most people think of concrete, they imagine wooden forms and concrete pouring. There are other ways of applying concrete. Anyone who has been to Canada’s Wonderland has unknowingly come in contact with shotcrete.

Shotcrete was first invented by Carl E. Akeley on June 24, 1907 and was applied using a very rudimentary machine, called a “plastergun” ¹. The development from plaster to concrete took only a couple of years, and by 1911¹ the cement gun was patented. The name “shotcrete” itself comes from “shot” and “concrete” put together, since the concrete is literally shot out of a spray nozzle.

From Akeley’s time shotcrete has advanced and developed as technology progressed. Today there are different ways of applying shotcrete. Some guns use premixed concrete fed into the hose and sprayed on. Others use dry aggregate and cement fed in the hose and mixed with water right before it exits the nozzle. This second method is specifically called Gunite, which is trademarked². Gunite quality depends on the skill of the concrete worker, also known as a “nozzle-man”³.  The nozzle-man’s skill and experience is critical, since he is the one who controls the water-to-dry-mix ratio. He controls how much water is added to the mix as it sprays out of the nozzle. The density of the concrete and its compression strength greatly depend on the ratio of water to dry-mix. This makes it a bit riskier to use than traditional concrete pouring, which is more uniform, since it is mixed at a concrete plant with computer-controlled ingredients^4,5.

Shotcrete has specific applications where it exceeds traditional concrete forming. Shotcrete concrete under high pressure is shot out of the hose and sticks to where it was shot due to the impact force. This stick-on contact method allows it to create complex forms easier than traditional concrete. Shotcrete was used in Canada’s Wonderland for repair of the famous Wonder Mountain⁶. Besides, it was used to create structures for the famous Halloween Haunt⁷, such as large serpents, trees and skeletons. The reason for using shotcrete is because it can make rounded objects and circular details easier than traditional concrete. At wonderland, Wonder Mountain has few straight walls, but instead features curves that mimic natural contours. Shotcrete is also used in concrete pool construction, since, again, it can make a circular pool easier than concrete forming. Concrete forming is faster to pour, though, when dealing with regular square or rectangular pools. 

Canada’s Wonderland Wonder Mountain⁶

Wonder Mountain repair work to be done with shotcrete concrete technology⁶

Canada’s Wonderland employed shotcrete for its mountain, but regular concrete contractors, such as SIBWEST Inc., use this technology for the footings and structural parts of its engineering projects. From the foundation of the mountain to the foundation of the roller coasters, concrete pouring is faster and easier to use for pouring concrete ground columns. For Canada’s Wonderland Leviathan roller coaster, 2045 cubic meters of concrete were poured⁸.  

In conclusion, both shotcrete and concrete have specific niches they fill in the construction business. For various projects, such as the ones at Canada’s Wonderland, both are deployed by engineers and contractors to get the job done. SIBWEST Inc. loves a challenge and always exceeds the customer’s expectation, whether it’s a footing, foundation or backyard pool. 

Call to Action: follow and add Sibwest

linkedin.com/in/andrey-shurygin-34739421

facebook.com/sibwestinc/

twitter.com/IncSibwest
for more concrete related articles every Friday. 

Citation

^1.Teicher P. Carl Akeley A Tribute to the Founder of Shotcrete. Shotcrete. 2002 [accessed 2016 Aug 9]:10–12. http://www.shotcrete.org/media/archive/2002sum_teichert.pdf

^2.What is Gunite? Kraemer Gunite, Inc. 2013 Apr 6 [accessed 2016 Aug 9]. http://kraemergunite.com/what is gunite.htm

^3.Concrete vs. Shotcrete, What’s the Difference? Yoder Laser Concrete. 2011 Dec 20 [accessed 2016 Aug 9]. http://www.yoderlaserconcrete.com/blog/concrete-vs-shotcrete-whats-the-difference

^4.S. Gunite vs. Shotcrete. Houzz Inc. 2009 Aug 6 [accessed 2016 Aug 9]. http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2556102/gunite-vs-shotcrete

^5.Dhir RK, Hewlett PC, Jones MR. Creating with concrete: opening and leader papers of the proceedings of the international congress held at the University of Dundee, Scotland, UK on 6-10 September 1999. London: T. Telford; 1999.

^6.Canada's Wonderland - Mountain Restoration, Vaughan, ON. Hardrock Concrete Inc. [accessed 2016 Aug 9]. http://www.shotcrete.ca/projects/canada-s-wonderland--mountain-restoration--vaughan--on.html

^7.Canada’s Wonderland – The Haunt Vaughan, ON. Hardrock Concrete Inc. [accessed 2016 Aug 9]. http://www.shotcrete.ca/projects/canada---s-wonderland-----the-haunt-vaughan--on.html

^8.D. Images: Leviathan rollercoaster construction continues at Canada's Wonderland. Theme Park Tourist. 2011 Nov 1 [accessed 2016 Aug 9]. http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20111101/5187/images-leviathan-rollercoaster-construction-continues-canadas-wonderland

Dufferin Concrete and SIBWEST INC.: a Unified Vision

SIBWEST INC. employs highly-skilled professionals for its work. Therefore, we choose Dufferin Concrete for their professionalism. Dufferin Construction, a division of CRH Canada Group Inc, is a well-known and established company which produces concrete. Dufferin Concrete is a reliable supplier of concrete SIBWEST INC. trusts and one you can count on.

Dufferin Construction has survived throughout the years and grown due to its quality of work. Dufferin Concrete has a wide variety of strengths and application methods, ranging from 24 to 120 MPa¹ curing strengths, and covering ready-mix concrete, Fast Track concrete, Shotcrete concrete, etc. Dufferin Construction has received notable projects, such as the Fort York pedestrian bridge, Highway 403 rapid bridge replacement in Hamilton and has recently completed Sir Adam Beck Niagara Tunnel². Projects such as these have strict quality, scheduling and security guidelines that have to be followed³, as well as strict health and safety requirements. Similarly, SIBWEST INC. has continuously met quality and scheduling needs.

SIBWEST INC. meets all health and safety requirements. Similar to us, Dufferin Concrete has a “zero harm”⁴ policy, which they strive to achieve. The “zero harm” policy means that Dufferin Construction is on path and strives to achieve zero harm to employees. SIBWEST INC. has a similar philosophy. Workplace safety is our responsibility, and we do not take it lightly. In the wide variety of environments we work in, anything can happen, so safety must be of utmost importance. Dufferin Construction employs lots of safety measures, one of which is whenever heavy machinery is backing up, it must be accompanied by a signal person⁵. For their safety precautions, Dufferin Concrete has won numerous awards such as Canadian Construction Association (CCA) – National Safety Award: Maintenance of Health and Safety in the Workplace, awarded for substantial reduction in injury rates. Apart from safety awards, they have received Trillium Award: Sustainability & Good Corporate Citizens, awarded to hot mix producers whose plants exemplify standards in plant operation⁶. Dufferin Concrete has won the Ontario Concrete Award given by the Ready-Mix Concrete Association of Ontario, awarded for their environmental achievements⁷.

Dufferin Concrete environmental achievements do not stop there. Portland-Limestone cement has achieved 10%⁸ CO₂ reduction. Furthermore, since it has replaced clinker with limestone, it has greatly reduced the raw materials required to make the cement. This award-winning concrete is now greener, but just as durable as before. SIBWEST INC. always chooses the greenest and most environmentally friendly products, since the environment is extremely important to us. Dufferin Concrete is a great choice for environmentally friendly products with other advancements, such as Low Carbon Concrete, which has 50%³ reduced CO₂ emissions.

SIBWEST INC. wants only the best for its customers, and Dufferin Concrete lives up to that standard. From their long history in the Greater Toronto Area to their safety record, to their environmentally friendly products, Dufferin Concrete is a leader in the industry. Dufferin Construction is a company that matches SIBWEST’s professionalism and care for every concrete forming job and every concrete pour.

Call to Action: follow and add  SIBWEST INC.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrey-shurygin-34739421

http://www.facebook.com/sibwestinc/

http://www.twitter.com/IncSibwest
for more concrete related articles every Friday.

A concrete deck that SIBWEST INC. made for one of its clients

Citation

^1.Products & Services: Concrete. CRH Canada. [accessed 2016 Aug 4]. http://www.crhcanada.com/products-services/concrete

^2.Spotlight On Major Projects. CRH Canada. 2016 Jun 2 [accessed 2016 Aug 4]. http://www.crhcanada.com/innovative-solutions/spotlight-on-major-projects

^3.PM. Solutions Dufferin Concrete. CRH Canada. 2014 Jun [accessed 2016 Aug 4]. http://www.crhcanada.com/docs/default-source/publications/dufferin-concrete-solutions/dc-customer-newsletter-no2-june-2014-final.pdf?sfvrsn=14

^4.Safety Culture. Dufferin Construction Company. [accessed 2016 Aug 4]. http://www.dufferinconstruction.com/safety-environment/safety-culture/

^5.HC. Dufferin Construction Company Rock Truck Safety Video. YouTube. 2014 Jan 15 [accessed 2016 Aug 4]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tippUOdnaR8

^6.Facilities Awards. Dufferin Construction Company. 2010 [accessed 2016 Aug 4]. http://www.dufferinconstruction.com/about-us/honours-awards/facilities-awards/

^7.Project Awards. Dufferin Construction Company. 2015 Feb 19 [accessed 2016 Aug 4]. http://www.dufferinconstruction.com/about-us/honours-awards/project-awards/.

^8.Portland-Limestone Cement. CRH Canada. [accessed 2016 Aug 4]. http://www.crhcanada.com/innovative-solutions/portland---limestone-cement

Asphalt vs. Concrete Paving: Material of the Future

All of us have come across asphalt and concrete paving, whether it is asphalt roads we drive on, or the concrete sidewalk we walk on. No matter if you live in suburbia or the city, I am sure you have come across someone re-paving or re-doing their parking lot, driveway, etc. Most will end up choosing asphalt or concrete driveway, which leads to the natural question: which one is better? There are pros and cons to each, which you should consider when choosing your driveway.

Asphalt is the more popular choice by consumers for driveways. Asphalt is made from stones and aggregate stuck together in bitumen. Bitumen is oil-based fuel, which in its natural form is too heavy to flow; therefore it has to be melted⁷. Bitumen is not a solid though, so as it binds the aggregates it stays flexible. Since bitumen is the glue agent, asphalt is susceptible to great changes, depending on the weather. It can become hard during cold temperatures and very soft during heat waves, and especially at high temperatures during the summer.  The higher flexibility of the asphalt means that less load distribution occurs on the ground, so the impact of heavy cars, trucks or machinery is more noticeable as it sinks under their weight.

Figure 1: Showing the load distribution of asphalt compared to concrete⁴

When building an asphalt driveway, asphalt is melted then placed on the ground. It is then compacted by heavy machinery and is ready to be used that same day. The upkeep for asphalt is a lot higher, since most companies recommend re-sealing the driveway every 1-3 years, depending on the quality of the product¹. Re-sealing is different from repaving, as the sealant is simply sprayed, spread, or rolled on like paint. Re-sealing will keep your driveway dark and smooth. No surface is perfect, so as any soil settles underneath your driveway, cracks will appear. Fixing cracks with asphalt is not difficult, as one can either fill it in with a thick tar base or seal it with a special sealer. The aesthetic appeal of asphalt is limited, because when it is being laid, not much can be done. The only option is you can add dye, but most will still be dark black. The longevity of asphalt in general is up to 10-20 years⁵.

Asphalt is not very environmentally friendly, since bitumen releases a lot of pollutant gases when it is being melted for paving⁶. When re-surfacing the driveway, asphalt can be recyclable, so it can be reused and resurfaced right on location. The cost of asphalt is $2-5 per square foot⁵.

Concrete is quickly gaining popularity because of its outstanding properties. Similarly to asphalt, concrete is made from gravel and aggregate held together by cement, which is glue-like material. Since it is more like glue and less like binding material, concrete is a lot harder than asphalt. No matter what the temperature or weather, concrete will be harder than asphalt since concrete has superb compression characteristics. However, with a driveway, it is more about distributing the load than being able to carry it. As can be seen from Figure 1, concrete does a much better job at distributing load than asphalt. Concrete takes longer to cure, since it has to dry. It depends on the environment, but usually one has to wait 6-7 days before being able to drive on it⁵.

The upkeep for concrete is minimal; since it is harder than asphalt, it is more durable and lasts longer. The concrete maintenance costs are 75% less when compared with asphalt². The repairing of cracks can be more difficult, but with a good quality patching material, it will cure cracks on virtually any concrete surface. In the case that you patched a spot and are not happy with its appearance, you can always dye concrete any colour you like. Thus, concrete can be made very aesthetically pleasing.

SIBWEST INC. can do a variety of concrete driveways.  We have extensive experience with a variety of concrete and finishes: imprinted concrete, stamped concrete, antique rock salt finish, exposed aggregate, broom finish concrete. All of these you can check out at our site www.sibwest.ca. There is a huge variety of things that can be done with concrete vs. a limited amount for asphalt. Concrete with its high durability lasts a lot longer than asphalt, with an average of 40 years⁵. The environmental impact of concrete is less than that of asphalt. Concrete, like its asphalt counterpart, can also be recycled and has a reduced heat island effect³, since it is not as dark in colour and does not heat up as much. The cost of concrete is around $5-10 per square foot⁵.

Concrete is more durable, as well as can have decorative elements and come out to be much more beautiful. It has a longer life span, which requires a larger budget, but with a basic life cycle cost analysis one can see it pays for itself in the long run. It provides customers with a peace of mind without having to worry about maintenance. So the next time you are re-doing your driveway, concrete is the way to go and no one better to call than SIBWEST INC. – “Building better and & faster than the competition”.

Call to Action: follow and add Sibwest

http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrey-shurygin-34739421

http://www.facebook.com/sibwestinc/

http://www.twitter.com/IncSibwest
for more concrete related articles every Friday.

Citations

^1.Asphalt Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions. Asphalt Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions. [accessed 2016 Jul 28]. http://www.protectsealing.com/asphalt_faq.html

^2.Concrete vs. Asphalt. Concrete Paving Association . 2013 Jun [accessed 2016 Jul 28]. http://www.concreteisbetter.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/concrete-vs-asphalt.pdf

^3.Cool Pavements. Berkeley Lab. [accessed 2016 Jul 28]. https://heatisland.lbl.gov/coolscience/cool-pavements

^4.Nigeria Begins Use Of Cement For Road Construction Against Asphalt. Oluwaseum Osewa; 2013. http://www.nairaland.com/1473747/nigeria-begins-use-cement-road/2

^5.Pros and Cons: Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveway. Angie's List. 2015 Jun 10 [accessed 2016 Jul 28]. https://www.angieslist.com/articles/pros-and-cons-asphalt-vs-concrete-driveway.htm

^6.Stonecypher L. Concrete Roads vs Asphalt Roads. Brighthub Engineering. 2010 Aug 17 [accessed 2016 Jul 28]. http://www.brighthubengineering.com/concrete-technology/45858-concrete-roads-vs-asphalt-roads/

^7.Why Use Asphalt Instead of Concrete? Dykes Paving and Construction RSS. [accessed 2016 Jul 28]. http://www.dykespaving.com/blog/why-use-asphalt-instead-of-concrete/

Palfinger Inc. Cranes: a Passion Shared

Sibwest’s professionalism in concrete forming services is unmatched. For ten years we have been bringing quality service to our customers “better and faster than the competition”. But Sibwest Inc. does more than just concrete, we provide crane rental services. What crane do we choose? Only the best – Palfinger Inc. – which helps us to provide our customers the expert service they expect.

Palfinger Inc. was established in 1932 as a metalworking and repairs workshop for agricultural trailers, tippers and vehicle bodies¹. From then onward, in 1964 Palfinger expanded their business into truck-mounted hydraulic cranes, providing cranes for forestry, farming and rail-road industries. In 2010 Palfinger expanded its marine product line for dock and ship-mounted cranes. For over 80 years Palfinger has been improving and refining its technology to stay an industry leader.

Palfinger Inc. is an industry leader, but in a lot more than just cranes. Their product line includes: Boats, Hooklifts, Tail Lifts, Mobile Cranes, Passenger Lifts, Truck Mounted Forklifts, Railway Systems, Rope Access and much more. Their diverse portfolio brings people from all different fields, and Palfinger Inc. needs specialists from all around the world. Palfinger Inc. has 4500 sales and service offices in 130 countries located on 5 continents². The wide variety of people Palfinger Inc. brings together allows them to stay up to date on any technology from any part of the world. Palfinger Inc. holds over 70 patents and develops technology such as the HPSC, High Performance Stability Control which automatically adjusts crane stability for safety reasons – the most advanced technology of its kind in the world.

Having advanced technology and safety systems is great, but the most important thing is for the crane to be operational and working. The reason why customers choose Palfinger is because of the company’s focus on professionalism and providing professionals with the tools they need. Palfinger Inc. has a slogan, ‘LIFETIME EXCELLENCE’ which provides customers a sense of security. From the beginning, Palfinger Inc. revolved around three principle brand values: efficiency, reliability, and innovation². The cranes are some of the most efficient in their class, due to their lightweight metal materials and their lifting capacity. Reliability is key, since harsh construction conditions will wear down any equipment. Palfinger Inc. provides chrome plating for longevity and machine accuracy and quality control testing every step of the way. In all of their many multinational plants, parts are thoroughly checked, tested and visually inspected. Innovation comes in the form of previously-mentioned research and development, which provides the company with the newest technologies.

Palfinger Inc. cares deeply about the environment. Palfinger Inc. plants have steadily lowered their energy consumption throughout the years. Their goal of 1.8% a year was achieved almost twice over in 2015 when they accomplished a 4.25% energy efficiency Increase³. The second focus is the efficient use of raw materials. Furthermore, Palfinger Inc. takes great care in where their waste goes, especially hazardous waste, which they treat plenty of on site. Palfinger cranes have a lightweight design due to the use of high strength composite materials. These synthetic materials lead the cranes to be lighter, which means less fuel consumption and better for the environment.

With all this information, why choose any other crane? That’s what Sibwest Inc. thought, so we chose the Palfinger PK40002EH crane. Our crane has a reach of 70 ft, and can lift 1 tonne or 2200 lb at its tip. As professionals, we only trust the most professional equipment, and Palfinger can deliver the right tools for us.

Our own Palfinger PK40002EH crane, ready for any job. Visit us at sibwest

Call to Action: follow and add Sibwest

linkedin.com/in/andrey-shurygin-34739421

facebook.com/sibwestinc/

twitter.com/IncSibwest
for more concrete related articles every Friday.

Citation
1. "About PALFINGER." PALFINGER. Palfinger, n.d. Web. 21 July 2016. <https://www.palfinger.com/en/emea/about-palfinger>.

2. PALFINGER - Lifetime Excellence. YouTube. PALFINGER AG, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 21 July 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlFh65ZLqoc>.

3. "Energy Efficiency." PALFINGER. Palfinger, n.d. Web. 21 July 2016. <https://www.palfinger.ag/en/sustainability/eco-efficiency-in-production/energy-efficiency>.

ICF and 21st Century Construction

How did a foam cooler re-invent 21^st century construction? It started from Werner Gregor in 1965, when he noticed a kid, packing a foam plastic cooler, which keeps the drinks cold, with sand for his sand castle (LLC, Summit Publishing). Shortly after, Werner Gregor started his company “Foam Form” in Oakville, Ontario. His observation catapulted ideas, which make constructing residential and commercial buildings faster, easier and cheaper. 

ICF stands for insulated concrete form, and was first patented in 1968. The popularity slowly grew through the 1970’s until today. As other construction materials got more expensive, such as lumber, ICF became an increasingly better economical solution. Modern ICF forms are extremely durable. Due to their concrete design vs. traditional wooden framing, ICF homes can resist high winds and floods. A terrifying, real life experience happened to the Sochacki family, in their coastal home in New Jersey, U.S.A., during hurricane Sandy on October 20, 2014. They hid in their ICF coastal home through the whole hurricane and came out unscratched (StrongHomes). The extremely high winds did only cosmetic damage to the house, and the huge waves and flooding which lifted and floated entire homes away, had no effect on Sochacki family (Quad-Lock). This is real world proof of ICF durability, which exceeds that of wood frame construction.

Furthermore, in Chicago, IL after testing ICF for the US Armed Forces, it exceeded all expectations. It was capable of withstanding a 50-pound military-grade TNT blast from as close as 6 feet (Build Green World). It suffered small cracks no more than 2 millimetres wide to the front face. While behind the wall, there was no deflection or structural damage to the wall. In another test, it took 4 shots from a Barret 50-calibre anti-materiel rifle to penetrate the wall (Precise Forms, Inc). This is due to the expanded polystyrene insulation absorbing the impact as it compresses against the concrete wall. The concrete, which has great natural compression properties, then stops the impact. For most of us, this is more than enough durability and impact resistance for our homes. It is more than capable of protecting against flying debris during high winds or tornadoes.
  
ICF’s amazing properties come at a practical cost. The average $300,000 home, if built from ICF at an additional cost of $21,000, can save over $100 a month from its energy bill. This means that the additional cost of ICF will pay for itself before the average person pays off the mortgage for the house. In addition, an ICF home has great resale value, especially with green enthusiasts, who want to help out the environment and save on energy costs (Quad-Lock). ICF not only lowers your heating and cooling costs, but due to its incredible durability, also lowers your home insurance costs.

ICF stacked and reinforced, with concrete pumped into the form (Bukovy, Deborah).

Lowering your energy consumption is great for your wallet, but it is also great for the environment. Expanded polystyrene, which is used in ICF, is free from CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons), which are being phased out by the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer as of 2030 (The British Antarctic Study). Getting your home built from ICF is a step forward in the right direction for a greater economic and environmental pay-off.

Overall, concrete construction has taken a leap forward with ICF to help with construction time, durability, energy costs and environmental benefits. From sand to concrete – all this starting from a kid on the beach building sand castles.

Call to Action: follow and add Sibwest

linkedin.com/in/andrey-shurygin-34739421

facebook.com/sibwestinc/

twitter.com/IncSibwest
for more concrete related articles every Friday.

Dmitri Babisin - July 15, 2016

Citation

Build Green World. “BGW111 - ICF Servives 50lbs TNT Blast (blast Test).” YouTube. YouTube, 23 Mar. 2013. Web. 12 July 2016.
Bukovy, Deborah. Concrete Forms and Integral Wall. N.d. Concrete Homes: Affordable to Purchase and Maintain, Portland Cement Association, Portland USA. "Financial Analysis & Incentives for Insulated Concrete Forms." Quad-Lock. N.p., 1 Feb.

"Insulating Concrete Forms Come Under Fire (and Blast)." Quad-Lock. N.p., 27 May 2003. Web. 12 July 2016.

LLC, Summit Publishing. “History of ICFs.” ICF Builder. Feb. 2011. Web. 12 July 2016.
Precise Forms, Inc. “Bullet, Tornado, and Hurricane Resistant ICF Concrete Homes and Building Construction.” YouTube. YouTube, 28 Mar. 2013. Web. 12 July 2016.
“Resilient building construction: Insulated concrete forms.” Quad-Lock. 22 July 2015. Web. 12 July 2016.

StrongHomes. “Hurricane Sandy: A Story of Survival.” YouTube. YouTube, 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 July 2016.
The British Antarctic Study, et al. “CFCs.” The Ozone Hole. 2015. Web. 12 July 2016.

About Company

About Us

We have been fortunate that our experience and knowledge has given us a respected reputation amongst custom home builders and general contractors – “building quality structures … better & faster than the competition”.

The photos on the following pages illustrate the variety of work that Sibwest has either completed or is currently doing. An example of our keen interest in performing ‘custom work’ was the construction of this suspended deck within a custom built garage. We look forward to projects such as this since the detail and level of concrete finish is important to the customer. The photo below illustrates the exposed finish that was achieved and which met our customer’s satisfaction.

These photos are more examples of our capacity in the custom home building marketplace. Our interest to work on custom designs with irregular or custom shapes is unmatched.

Who are we …

Sibwest was created with a particular focus –

“build quality structures … better & faster”.

Sibwest has translated their concrete forming experiences into a business that focuses on concrete – new concrete works and restorations.  Sibwest’s past experience, working for well-established construction companies in the GTA, told them that there is another approach – “be customer focused”.    

“Being customer focused” has a particular meaning toSibwest.  From the Team’s past experiences they quickly understood that, as concrete forming and restoration contractors, they should be proactive – provide cost effective advice to their clients and “build quality structures … better & faster”. In doing just that, you build positive and lasting relationships that provide future opportunities – client references and repeat business. 

Labour & Equipment …

Sibwest has been formed around a core group of skilled and experienced team members.  This core group has worked together for a number of years – there’s a level of mutual respect, knowledge and experience.  Their experience and knowledge with various forming systems and restoration techniques is exceptional.  Together they can manage and execute a vast variety of projects based on their foundation of experiences.

Sibwest strongly believes that maintaining, and having access to, well equipped inventories of materials and machinery is very important to executing work effectively and contributing to their commitment:

“building quality structures … better & faster”