1995 | - Armchair research on subject of alternative building materials and methods yields
topic of insulating concrete forms (ICF's). PolySteel stands out due to product
capabilities and people behind it.
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1996 | - First experience with PolySteel is foundation for engineered steel building.
- Determine that optimal use of PolySteel potential lies in extending foundation
applications to above grade applications, subsequently initiate plans to become factory
authorized distributor.
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1997 | - Finalize distributorship agreement in time to introduce PolySteel at Lafayette area
Spring Shows. (Audience vaguely aware of ICF concept / potential.)
- Initiate plans to build own above and below grade PolySteel home in West Lafayette.
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1998 | - West Lafayette, Indiana: Break ground on our first PolySteel ICF home. (There are
many hats to wear in role as owner-builder.)
Learning opportunities abound including not tempting vandals by leaving ICF bundles
too close to road. They ignite kerosene within bundle of 36 forms but due to fire
retardant in PolySteel, only minimal damage occurs (about 1/2 bundle).
Several visitors to the project become customers over the next few years.
Our home later achieves a DOE/EPA  ENERGY STAR rating by
ENERGY RATED HOMES MIDWEST. (A first in this area.) This 3,564 s.f.
PolySteel home is projected to have annual heating costs of $628.00 and annual
cooling costs of $81.00 for an average monthly cost of $59.01! This is possible with
only an 80% efficient LP gas furnace. (Read on to see what happens when a high
efficiency 90%+ natural gas furnace is used. HINT: Dividing by two gets really close!!!)
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1999 | - Lafayette, Indiana: First "visitor-turned-customer" (and owner-builder) breaks ground
on 5,000 s.f. all PolySteel home. Home takes giant step into the "build it better" arena
utilizing all steel framing for interior partition walls, floor and roof systems.
Workmanship by owner-builder is first-class throughout setting high standard for
others to follow.
October write-up in Lafayette JOURNAL AND COURIER draws lots of attention,
visitors and future customers, too!
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2000 | - Indianapolis, Indiana: First year to exhibit in the Indianapolis Home Show (IHS).
- Central Indiana: Work with others to form industry promotion group to raise public
awareness of ICF above-grade construction. Group later becomes known as
INDIANA CONCRETE HOMES COUNCIL (ICHC).
- Rushville, Indiana: Mother Nature does not play favorites as straight-line winds hit
first all PolySteel home by contractor before trussed roof system is complete. Roof
system has to be replaced while PolySteel walls unfazed. Project is also first PolySteel
home to utilize geo-thermal heating and cooling.
- Greencastle, Indiana: Owner-builder constructs first all PolySteel home in the area.
Customer is also first to utilize Dietrich Trade-Ready® steel floor joist system.
- West Lafayette, Indiana: Begin to lay groundwork for FEMA / PROJECT IMPACT
Pilot Project.
Partner with FEMA, local EMA, American PolySteel and many others to raise public
awareness of Safe Rooms and disaster resistant construction methods using PolySteel
and to raise funds for the Community Warning System operated by the local EMA.
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2001 | - The future for above-grade ICF construction is looking better and better as more and
more consumers are becoming aware of the "Better Way To Build" with PolySteel.
- Zionsville, Indiana: Contractor builds first underground PolySteel shelter in the area.
- Gosport, Indiana: IHS visitor (and owner-builder) constructs first all PolySteel home
in the area.
- West Lafayette, Indiana: Break ground in July for Pilot Project in Stonehenge
subdivision. Home has first PolySteel and PanelDeck® Safe Room with design per
FEMA guidelines. Basement Safe Room doubles as a walk-in closet.
First PROJECT IMPACT Open House/Fund Raiser is in December with severe
weather alert radios as door prizes.
- Lafayette, Indiana: Very first "visitor-turned-customer" (and owner-builder) achieves
DOE/EPA - plus ENERGY STAR rating by ENERGY RATED
HOMES MIDWEST. (A first in this area.). His 5,000 s.f. PolySteel and steel frame
home is projected to have annual heating costs of $284.00 and annual cooling costs of
$102.00 for an average monthly cost of $32.17!!!
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2002 | - The year starts off positively but most everyone is apprehensive about the economy,
interest rates and the world situation in general. (Several customers abandon plans to
build altogether or postpone them indefinitely.)
- Burlington, Indiana: Contractor builds first all PolySteel home in the area for IHS
customer.
- Indianapolis, Indiana: WISH-TV8 broadcasts severe weather special featuring a
segment on PROJECT IMPACT Safe Room in West Lafayette, Indiana.
- West Lafayette, Indiana: Second PROJECT IMPACT Open House/Fund Raiser is in
May with additional severe weather alert radios as door prizes.
Pilot Project home achieves DOE/EPA - plus ENERGY STAR rating
by ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES MIDWEST. This 3,512 s.f. PolySteel home is
projected to have annual heating costs of $302.00 and annual cooling costs of $86.00
for an average monthly cost of $32.33!!!
- Tippecanoe County, Indiana: As a result of coordinating/participating with local EMA
on PROJECT IMPACT event, become a regular TEMA Volunteer.
- West Lafayette, Indiana: Contractor breaks ground on PolySteel home that features
most technologically advanced radiant heat system to date. While under construction,
this project catches much attention due to its uniqueness and its proximity to Purdue.
On a routine site visit, a graduate student stops to show her parents, who are visiting
from mainland China, this "unique" house under construction here. None of us finds a
suitable translation for "expanded polystyrene" but her parents' eyes open wide as they
understand steel and concrete and insulation. (Little do any of us know that within
two years, PolySteel will be in a large subdivision being developed outside the capital
city of Beijing.)
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2003 | - Looking back, this year is the one that the optimist looks forward to because things
have to get better and they do. There are a few foundation projects started around the
area and customers begin to put plans into action for next year.
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2004 | - Camden, Indiana: A 20+ year dream becomes a reality for a retiring lady. She, as an
owner-builder, her son and her contractor friend build an 1100+ s.f. PolySteel home in
the country. With a little technical support from her other son in California, they install
a radiant floor heat system. At the end of her project, she presents a "storybook" of
her home building experience to share with others contemplating their own projects.
- Bloomington, Indiana: IHS visitor (and owner-builder) constructs first all PolySteel
home in the area.
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2005 | - Noblesville, Indiana: Habitat for Humanity of Hamilton County (HFHHC) builds its
first ICF home in conjunction with the National Fall Expo in Indianapolis of the
Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA).
What a challenge! After considerable delays due to poor sub-soil conditions (site was
former dumping ground for an old foundry), the project moves forward to get back on
track for the EXPO. We have to compress the original eleven day schedule such that
top of footing to top of wall, including a complete floor system and the pour, only takes
seven days!
Hats off to the individuals at HFHHC!!!
To the Volunteer Coordinator for a tremendous effort,
To the Director and the Advisory Board of the Hamilton Chapter of HFH for
taking a chance on something a little out of the ordinary,
To the Tiger Team for all of your time over and above your "normal" call of
duty and
To all of the Volunteers for your enthusiasm and willingness to do for others,
We couldn't have done it without you!
- West Lafayette, Indiana: Pilot Project visitor (and owner-builder) breaks ground on all
PolySteel home in Fall. The rainy season sets in only allowing footers to go in before
delays force postponement on project until Spring. Walk-out style ranch will utilize
Dietrich Trade-Ready® steel floor joist system and Nova Brick® exterior wall
veneer.
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2006 | - and beyond. Your project perhaps?
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