Should I Build My Gable Walls With ICF or Just Frame Them?

July 7, 2022

ICFs make a suitable building material for gable walls, especially if the gable section is heated or the gable walls require high wind resistance. For example, a high vaulted ceiling in a great room is bound to accumulate rising heat, so blocking heat transfer with highly efficient ICFs is an excellent idea.

You should build your gable walls with Element ICFs if the gable section is heated or the gable walls require high wind resistance.

ICFs make a suitable building material for gable walls that enclose a heated section of the home. For example, a high vaulted ceiling in a great room is bound to accumulate rising heat, so blocking heat transfer with highly efficient ICFs is an excellent idea.

On the other hand, if the gable walls enclose an unheated attic, framing can suffice — there’s no need for the additional energy efficiency ICFs provide.

Likewise, ICF gable walls can provide much-needed lateral resistance in regions with strong winds. That’s because ICFs excel at withstanding high wind loads thanks to their reinforced concrete cores.

However, if high wind resistance isn’t a must, a simple gable end truss detail will do just fine.

How to Build Gable Walls With ICFs

There are two primary methods for building gable walls with ICFs:

Assemble the walls on the ground and hoist up. Most builders prefer this option as it’s generally the most straightforward.
Build the gable section in place. This option works best on smaller sites with tight access.

Below are a few tips to help you build ICF gable walls.

Use screws to attach 1×4 strips along the diagonal cuts you’ve made to the ICFs at the top of the gable section.
Attach plywood to the 1x4s to help contain the concrete during and after the pour. Or, you can use zip ties to help restrict the concrete flow during the pour.
Trowel from the bottom up after the pour.
Use scaffolding to brace the ICF gable walls. However, if you do so, make sure the staging is adequately braced to the floor system.
Have the roof attachment hardware ready, as it must be installed during the concrete pour or immediately after it.

Wrapping It Up

Using Element ICFs to construct gable walls makes sense when the gables enclose a heated space or have to withstand significant wind loads.

If you choose to build your gable walls with Element ICFs, we hope our tips above help you make the installation quick and straightforward.

The thickness of the concrete core and foam panels are exactly the same between Logix and Element ICF except for the 6"

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By using these products, you agree to assume all risks associated therewith. See LogixBrands.com/Disclaimer-General for a full copy of disclaimer. Important Disclaimer: Some of the images and videos contained herein are of projects built using Logix ICF (Element ICF’s predecessor) and are shown solely for illustrative purposes of an ICF system. The video and images contained herein, including, without limitation, any and all artist or architectural conceptual renderings, illustrations, plans, floor plans, specifications, features, facilities, dimensions, measurements and hardware depicted, or otherwise described herein, are based on Logix ICF^®, and may not be relied upon in connection with a build using Element ICF^®. No guarantee, warranty, or representation whatsoever is made that Element ICF^® will be available as depicted, or, if available, will be of the same type, size, quality, location, or nature as depicted or illustrated in the images and videos contained herein.

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