Numeric Model: A 30′x60′ rancher with a walk out full basement; one basement walls is supporting  8′ of backfill with 7″cavity and the other walls are have5″cavity. The above grade walls have 4¼″cavity size. All ceiling heights are 9′; allow for a 10′ sliding door for the basement opening and allow 20% for openings on the main floor; concrete cost $75/yd; pumping$125/hr with a 4 hour min; labor at $50/hr (foreman $25, semi skilled labor $15, helper $10).

You increase your potential profit margin by using SUPER BLOCK SYSTEMS. The advantages described in the chart above and the estimate costs are derived from our experiences as a contractor in the Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) industry. Please call us if you'd like to discuss our cost model and why we our confident we can save you money on the cost of your next ICF job. One thing will be apparent to you once you have gained familiarity with our system....Super Block Systems are "Designed by a Contractor for a Contractor".

Size of Panel / Larger Block:
A larger Panel saves time and money because you are moving more square feet of wall surface with one block. For a 10-foot wall you need 6 courses using Super Block Systems and 7.5 courses using other companies.

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Variable Size Cavity:
This feature allows the architect, designer, engineer and builder to determine the thickness of wall needed instead of a limited size selection as with other systems. Using larger cavity sizes than what is needed cost material, labor and pumping time.

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Vary Perimeter Wall Size:
This feature will save you thousands dollars over the years. Not all walls around a perimeter need to the same thickness. Below grade walls supporting backfill as per engineering requirements generally need to be much thicker than other walls around the perimeter. Also, above grade walls not supporting floor joists, roof trusts or point loads can be thinner.

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Horizontal & Vertical Steel Bridges:
This System uses Horizontal & Vertical Steel Bridges to lock both directions. The Horizontal Steel Bridge locks the ends of the blocks together to eliminate spreading at vertical seams. The Vertical Steel Bridge locks the blocks on a vertical plane to prevent separation at the horizontal seams. The combination of these two steel bridges strengthens the joining of the blocks and helps make the wall straighter and stronger. This process is faster and far superior as compared to what is being done currently with other systems. In addition, if the wall needs to be broken down or change, these steel bridges enable the contractor to disassemble a wall very quickly with no damage to the blocks and to recover all items of construction.

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Glue and Zip Ties:
Glues are temperature sensitive, messy and hard to work with. Zip Ties are pricey and are hard to work with, especially engaging different courses of block. It is easy to over tighten and distort a portion of the wall. They foul the cavity space making it difficult for concrete flow. The ties must be cut if you disassemble a wall section.

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Shipping:
The increase in cost of shipping and the difficulty in handling some systems have made this a major item. The design and packaging of this block enables shipping over 7300 square feet of wall space and all associated materials per trailer load. The blocks will be bundle in 4-block and 3-block packages weighing less than 30 pounds to allow ease of unloading and repositioning around the job site.
Also, the packaging of the steel bridges and corners will weigh less that 30 pounds.

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Block Assembly:
Our two panel collapsible system needs assembling and is far more advantageous than an assembled block. This feature allows for a variable size cavity. Disassembled panels lower shipping cost per square foot because more material/trailer. Sometimes a construction site cannot accommodate a large truck and the contractor must drop ship or store panels at a different location and then transport material as needed to the jobsite. It is easier to store and move substantial amounts of disassembled block with a pickup and trailer. You can assemble the panels at the wall around objects such as structural components, electrical or plumbing items and through a prefabricated reinforcement cage. It is easier to cut one panel and adjust for an irregular footings or irremovable objects than to cut an assembled block. The ability to collapse the block enables the contractor to have his people assemble material during bad weather in a hospitable environment.

This collapsible feature helps a worker on scaffolding to store more blocks in strategic locations to free up support personnel.

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Ease to Build With:
The simple two-panel design allows for a very quick learning curve. The tongues and grooves associated with the block enables a person to assemble a wall with little or no gaps at the seams.
They fit together with minimal effort. The easy to learn and use universal corner adds a degree of flexibility not found with any other system.

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Matching Dimensional Lumber:
For large developments or projects with numerous openings a contractor can use a cavity size with the 5-inch dimension of the panels to match dimensional lumber for window and door bucks. This would be a big money saver in time and material.

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Waste:
These panels are larger and when a horizontal or a vertical cut is made more of the panel is remaining, therefore a greater probability of usable material. The right angle receiver with a bridge or wire enables the contractor to use remaining smaller pieces.

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Wider and longer Stud:
The plastic stud is 1-1/4" wide, having the same surface area of contact as a wooden or metal stud. When using external materials it is important not to have a gap between levels of block. The plastic stud run almost the entire length of the block, having 1/8" between one level to the next.

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Collapsible Block:
Assembled collapsible block is easier to move and takes up less space. A person on a scaffolding with the use of a rope can haul up 3 or 4 blocks at a time and position them up against the wall until needed.

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Build One Wall at a Time:
Being able to build one wall and brace it independent of adjoining walls enables the contractor to focus on one area at a time. This saves wasted movement of personnel, material and tools, adding to the job efficiency. This should minimize mistakes because of focus on one area of the project instead of 3 or 4 different functions.

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Flow of Concrete:
The interior of the panels is smooth and white. The contractor can see into the cavity. The concrete will flow past the metal bridges and re-bar with less restriction. This will result in a better mix of concrete getting deeper into the cavity. In other systems a rigorous path is taken which can cause segregation.

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Universal Corner:
It allows for varying a wall thickness around a perimeter and having a 90º internal or external corner or any angle you desire for the walls. You interface other building systems at these junctures including wood framing where it is easier and more desirable for certain aspects of construction.

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Steel Bridge:
Metal bridges made of wire versus plastic designs are more compatible with concrete for strength, fire rating, ease of concrete flow, flexibility of assembly and over all strength. If you must construct your reinforcement cage first because of size of steel, you can assemble this system around the rebar.
Because of openness of cavity, concrete flows better minimizing voids and give the pourer better vision into the wall during this process.

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Tongue and Groove:
Tongue and Groove is simple in design with little chance of getting clogged with concrete. Concrete is easily removed and enables both the metal and plastic panels to interface. There is better and easier seating of panels. They are simple alignment keys for studs. They allow easier finishing of the top course because there are no protrusions with the inside of the tongue. Some systems require time consuming use of tape to protect the tops of block and are difficult and time consuming to clean. Some blocks are difficult to seat and align properly with the course below. Our design allows quicker assembly of wall and a cleaner and smoother finish of top course.

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Smooth Interior:
Better visibility and flow of concrete into cavity. It is very easy to remove panel or panels if needed and wall looks cleaner and is easier to facilitate other aspects of construction.

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