HOUSE BUILDING USING EUROMAC2

[alanspain]

I AM LOOKING TO BUILD IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS AND HAVE MADE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE EUROMAC2 SYSTEM,I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION ANYONE MAY HAVE ON THE SYSTEM,
INCLUDING GOOD AND BAD POINTS AND WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO HEAT A HOUSE LIKE THIS.

[John Flood]

Alan I have just finished Euromac 2 structure on my house. It is a good system - no question. Certainly more robust than any other on Irish market.
You do need to be careful about who you choose to build it.
I had a near miss with one guy (put my way by euromac!)who it turned out was not up to it when I checked out his credentials.Get references and ring them. Can give you my guys details if you want. Very good but programme can run away a bit.
Don't expect much decent technical back up from euromac but its not a problem if youve got the right guy lined up to build it. Its a help also if youre of a technical bent yourself but again if youre not dont worry - let your builder take the strain.

Think carefully about your roof. Euromac roof is expensive but could take alot of hassle out of things. I didnt go for it as wasnt suitable for my design. I had lots of roof windows. Went for cut roof which meant a good deal of thinking out exactly how the continuity would work.
If you are cladding with stone its not straightforward but not impossible by any means - again forethought required. Otherwise mechanically applied render is no problem but use people who have rendered ICF before as its not the same as the usual set up. Your experienced ICF builder will know about that and recommend those who do it.

Raft foundation is ideal for the system and simplifies alot of stuff at that stage. Also means you can build in a bog if you wish (near enough!)

First floor - I went hollocore slabs and structural screed in keeping with solid nature of construction. Choose your hollocore people well.
I am also using some roofspace as living quarters so great for noise dampening if one possesses kids. Euromac floor seems good too but could be expensive by comparison.

Pick good windows - stay clear of most if not all irish manufacturers unfortunately. Think germany, austria, poland and uvalues of sub 1.1 frame and glass combined. Dont sit your windows on concrete or stone cills - big cold bridge. Better to use alu cills made up and powdercoated.
Window sits directly on ICF. Can provide names if you wish.
Euromac have a related company called energyglaze.ie but I wouldnt rate those ones. Can provide list if you want.

Heat recovery - yes you need it. ICF has a tendency to sweat and because the idea is airtight construction you need good ventilation that does not depend on opening windows. homeventilation.co.uk are cheapest I found but not sure how good it is.
UFH off ground source heat pump would be a good fit albeit expensive enough. Could combine solar with it but may be overcomplicating things unneccessarily.

In general I can definitely recommend euromac2. For insulation, sound and solid construction its there.

[John Flood]

and another thing - old heinbloed waxes on about euromac under the heatpumps sections even though it is quite clear he doesnt know what he's on about so don't be influenced by that in any shape or form.
He worries about the boxes blowing away! Utter scutter is the term that springs to mind...............

[foamcutter]

Dont sit your windows on concrete or stone cills - big cold bridge. Better to use alu cills made up and powdercoated.

Another alternative is a custom designed rendered high density polystyrene. It's a product that we are being asked for more frequently.

Not trying to sell here just inform people of the alternatives for cold bridging at windows etc.

[Paul Stoate]

We are builders of Euromac2 in England and Northern Ireland.We have found the system great.We can provide any technical backup you need.Feel free to contact us on our e mail or visit our website at www.denstoneconstruction.com.We are keen to promote the system as we feel it is a solution to the increase in energy costs and construction costs.