Plaster over ICF and AAC

Plaster over ICF and AAC

ICF installers and designers like to say they can match any look or style of home. It’s true that insulated concrete forms can accommodate nearly any exterior finish. Textured acrylic finishes, stuccos, brick, stone, and siding can easily be applied. Until recently, though, interior wall finish options were limited. Due to national fire codes, nearly everyone installed regular gypsum drywall with a sprayed-on texture. But in the last few years, a number of companies have developed products that make finishing the interior of ICF walls easier, faster, and more cost effective than ever before.

In 2013, we applied stucco to the Bend Oregon Cascades Academy (tumalo Campus) to help accent the postmodern architecture. The project called for an energy efficient approach and involved applying a special weather barrier materal, and other modern energy effiiciency enhancing products.  Then, we applied traditional cement based stucco with  Parex elastameric textured finish. The project combined traditional materials with modern design precision, and shows off our ability to excel at innovative applications.

Designers and contractors can now offer an unlimited variety of styles, textures, and colors on the interior walls as well. What’s more, these options are often healthier and more durable.“It’s no secret that many ICF pros regard drywall as a problem material,” says Andrew Dennis, president of GigaCrete. “Gypsum board is fragile, and ceiling installation is laborious and time-consuming. In addition, paper-lined drywall… supports growth of damaging mold and mildew, creating a health risk for occupants.”