... and our web-site will be updated to reflect corresponding product name changes, etc., as well. "PolySteel" products will now be known as ARXX Steel products. The "PolyPro" product is being replaced by the ARXX Edge product. (See www.arxx.com for more details at this time.)

Please, pardon our "e-dust" as we update our website. Stay tuned for further enhancements and thank you for visiting Performance Building Systems Of West Central Indiana.

ICF Wall Systems

PS-4000 Flat Wall

The PS-4000 flat wall form may be a more familiar form style but the similarities end there, as this form definitely has more to it!

  1. More familiar design
  2. More form strength
  3. More effective R-value
  4. More fire resistance
  5. More comfortable
  6. More sound attenuation
  7. More environmentally responsible
  8. More choices for more applications

1.  More familiar design

In this case, more means more wall area per form unit of the traditional flat wall style ICF. In fact, 50% more wall area per form than most other ICF's on the market! PolySteel PS-4000 forms are used to create a reinforced monolithic concrete wall sandwiched between two layers of expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation. This wall design is based on traditional solid wall construction. The EPS insulation provides an ideal curing environment for the concrete yielding up to 50% more compressive strength than traditional formed and stripped systems of similar size. Properly designed and constructed, PolySteel walls have the capability of withstanding winds in excess of 300 mph and the impact of airborne debris from an F-5 tornado. As reinforcing shear walls, PolySteel provides design strengths of 3,000 to 10,000 pounds per linear foot offering significant advantages in severe-weather and high-seismic areas.

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2.  More form strength

PS-4000 forms are held together with eight unique attachment and reinforcement members (ties) made of galvanized 11-gauge welded steel wire for maximum strength and long term durability. Each tie is further reinforced on both sides with a 1½"x21" galvanized 22-gauge steel attachment strip. These steel stud strips deliver superior strength and fire resistance for the secure attachment of wall coverings. They are 6 inches on center, recessed ½" below the surface of the EPS foam and are denoted by a pair of marker grooves along each side of the stud strip.

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3.  More effective R-value

It means more energy efficiency. The effective R-value of the PolySteel form system has three factored components: [1] the inherent R-value of the EPS, [2] the thermal mass of the concrete and [3] the enormous reduction in air leakage. PolySteel structures use 50-80% less energy to heat and cool as compared to traditional framed above-grade construction. This effective R-value ranges from R-30+ in northern Indiana to R-37 in southern Indiana for residential and R-50 in northern Indiana to well over R-50 in southern Indiana for commercial applications. (Note: A 2x6, R-19 fiberglass insulated wall only has an effective R-value of 13.7 due to low mass and higher air infiltration considerations.)

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4.  More fire resistance

PolySteel was the first and continues to be the only ICF to achieve a full 4-hour fire rating with no additional cladding.

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5.  More comfortable

The thermal mass of a PolySteel wall system buffers temperature fluctuations so there are no "hot" or "cold" spots from wall to wall or from floor to ceiling. Tests have shown the air infiltration through a PolySteel wall to be one-fourth that of conventional frame wall systems. For asthma and allergy sufferers, this means a cleaner, more controllable indoor air quality.

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6.  More sound attenuation

A sound transmission classification (STC) of 52+ versus an STC of 37 for frame wall construction means a quieter (8 to 10 times quieter), more peaceful indoor living environment by virtually eliminating outdoor noise.

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7.  More environmentally responsible

PolySteel forms are one of the most environmentally friendly, sustainable, "green" building products that you can use today. For every unit of energy (derived from petroleum) used to produce the expanded polystyrene (EPS), 30 units of energy are conserved every year, for decades and even centuries to come when used as insulation. The steel ties in PolySteel forms are made from recycled steel products and both the EPS and steel tie scraps are recyclable! Furthermore, there are no CFC's or HCFC's used or emitted during the manufacturing process.

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8.  More choices for more applications

Currently, the PS-4000 series is offered in two core sizes: 6" and 8" with outside dimensions of 11" and 13" respectively. Both sizes have 90° and 45° corners, an integral tongue and groove design and are left / right reversible. Both sizes are also available in half-heights (12" tall forms).

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