Foster’s Daily Democrat, Dover, New Hampshire

Friday, August 31, 2001

Rochester's Groen Builders Using New Material for Energy-Efficient Foundations
By JENNIFER HIGGINS, Democrat Staff Writer

BARRINGTON — It may look like it should be keeping your sodas cool in the summer heat, but a special foundation will keep the Marecks warm all winter long.

On Stone Farm Road, off Province Road, stood a foundation that looked very strange to passers-by, according to owner Tom Mareck. It was stark white.

"It reminded me of a cooler," Carolyn Mareck said, laughing.

When the Marecks designed their new home, their watchwords were "energy efficient."  Many of the windows, including full-sized ones in the basement, are oriented to collect the most sun.  Beneath the floor is a "heat sink," or 12 inches of stone to retain heat gathered throughout the day.

When the contractors were unable to pour a traditional foundation because of time and labor constraints, Fenton Groen of Groen Builders, who the Marecks contracted, said he began searching for a solution he and his son could construct.  Groen said he had first heard about the new foundation during a conference in Atlanta in February.  Groen said he was very excited to try it at the time, and so jumped on the opportunity.

The insulated concrete form foundation is twice as effective as a standard wall in insulating the home, according to Groen.  Other benefits include moderate sound proofing, it is less drafty and is very durable.

"It should be toasty," Tom said.

The only disadvantage to this type of foundation is that it can occasionally "blow-out" or crack, Groen said, adding that he had not had that problem with the Marecks’ home.

"The proof will come when they move in. The basement will probably be the warmest room in the house," Groen said.

Tom said that he had heard of the technique before but had not originally considered it because he believed it would be too expensive.

The insulted concrete form foundation is approximately 50 percent more than a traditional one, Groen said.  Most of the cost is because of the fact that the foundation takes two to three times longer to construct.  Should a person want a finished basement, however, the extra cost for the insulation and framing that is used on a traditional foundation is comparable to the extra price for the insulated concrete form foundation.
And the insulated concrete forms save heat much more efficiently, Groen added.

The foundation is made by pouring cement into a hollow wall-like form of plastic foam. The wall is made of interlocking plastic foam blocks, similar to packing material but much denser, according to Groen.

The Marecks said that they wanted the house be a traditional-looking New England home and did not have to change any of their plans because of the new foundation.

The foundation is very flexible in terms of design, according to Groen, who added that it can have stucco, vinyl siding or almost any treatment done to it.

Making foundations and entire homes from insulated concrete forms may be relatively new in the Northeast, but Groen said it is very popular in states such as Minnesota, Texas and Florida.  It is very successful in those states because it is naturally hurricane resistant, impervious to bugs and rot, and reduces drafts.

The foundation is also used heavily in Europe, and whole houses made from the forms are particularly common in Sweden, Groen added.

The foundation is, however, very uncommon in the Northeast because it is relatively new technology, Groen said, adding that the Marecks’ house is only the second in Barrington to use it.

Groen said he is negotiating the cost and design for two entire houses using the insulated concrete forms that will be in the area.

"I think it’s going to catch on — especially if a contractor starts using it. I think people just don’t know about it," Tom said.

Groen Builders is located at 41 Chapman Drive in Rochester. Their telephone is 332-6551.