| Resistance to lateral pressure | Big Block 1600: 1,600 pounds per sq. ft. (76 kPa) which represents 80% of its breaking point.
Flex 850: 850 pounds per sq. ft. (41 kPa) which represents 70% of its breaking point.
| Many ICF systems are not clearly saying what are their lateral resistance to pressure (which rarely exceeds 800 pounds per sq. ft.) It is important to understand that a good resistance to lateral pressure is vital when the concrete is poured into the walls to avoid ICFs to break. |
| Rebar installation | With the Polycrete® FLEX 850 it is possible and easy to put in place the rebar prior to the ICF installation (see the picture section below). | The installation of rebar before the ICF installation is impossible or definitely not an easy task. |
| Assembly ties (spacers or web) | Polycrete® ICF are assembled with metallic assembly ties that keep the desired distance between the two panels. These Polycrete® ties are of varying length and are giving sturdiness to the ICF as well as increasing the fire resistance. The ties are designed such as they do not obstruct the flow of concrete during the pouring. | A majority of the other ICF systems is using spacers made of plastic. The design of those spacers is made such as the concrete doesn’t flow correctly into the walls during the pouring of concrete. Such a situation results in unwanted empty spaces. |
| Dimensions | One Big Block 1600 covers a wall surface of 16 sq. ft. (1.49 m2) | The majority of other ICF systems cover approximately 5.33 sq. ft (0.49 m2) of a wall. |
