What exactly does American Insulock make?

American Insulock makes two things:

We produce INSULOCK blocks in Mesa Arizona

We manufacture and sell the equipment to make INSULOCK blocks worldwide.  It is our mission to sell equipment to every city in the US and Canada. 

 What do I need to do to become an INSULOCK distributor?

Purchase one of our molding machines.  You will be able to produce the INSULOCK blocks and sell them.  We will train you and help you set up a profitable company that you own and operate.  The equipment is made in Mesa Arizona.  We will build it to your specifications and then install it at your location.  Territories can be arranged. 

What about building codes?  Is this an approved product?

The INSULOCK block is classified as an ICF (insulated concrete form).  The INSULOCK block is generally used to build houses or structures that generally require structural engineering.  A stamp from the structural engineer is all that is necessary to be approved by local building departments.

The ICC (US) and CSA (Canada) number is issued after a product is tested.  The testing evaluation is then available by using an assigned number.  Local building departments use these evaluation numbers only as a guide.  It is not uncommon for a local building department to require the builder to have the project approved by a structural engineer.  The cost of having the plans approved by a structural engineer are minimal. 

What is the description of the INSULOCK block?

The INSULOCK molding system makes an 8” X 8” X32” long “STANDARD” polyurethane block.  Each block is made using a 2 pound density foam.  The foam has a Class 1 fire rating.  It has a closes cell structure.

What about other block shapes that I need?

All kinds of shapes can be made using the “STANDARD” block.  The most commonly used are:

the “bond beam” block which is made by cutting the webs from between the cores at the top of the standard block,

and the “lintel” block which is made by cutting the webs from between the cores at the bottom of the standard block

What about 90 degree corners?

Corners are formed with the standard INSULOCK block.  They are formed by removing the tongue from one end of the block and placing the tongue-less end to the side of the block of the opposite leg of the corner.  The next course of block is assembled in the opposite manner creating an interlocking corner.

What about 45 degree corners and other odd shapes?

Any angle can be made simply by cutting the blocks using a mitre box.  Even round shapes can be made from the standard block.

How much concrete does the INSULOCK system use and what type should I use?

We recommend that the concrete be made using ¼” pea-gravel, 3000 psi cement, mixed at a 6” slump.

Concrete can be ready mix or field mixed.  One cubic yard of concrete will fill approximately 20 cores at a height of 8 feet.  If cores are filled on 2 foot intervals, one yard of concrete will build approximately 34 running feet of wall, including the bond beam.

The concrete mix can be pumped using a 2” hose.

What type of finishes can I attach?

All standard interior and exterior finished can be attached to the INSULOCK blocks using several systems.

There are several method uses for attaching finishes.  A wooden or metal nailing strip, installed vertically on the wall with long nails or screws, extending through the block wall into empty cores at location where cement is to be poured is a simple system.

Wall board can be installed with adhesive. Or, it can be installed by putting the nailing strips inside the core with two or three foam screws (fender washers on screws) holding then steady and in place until the wall board is installed.

Wall board can also be installed by ordering the standard block that has the patented “INSULOCK SCREW STRIP” already molded into the block.  The screw strips are flush with the outside of the block.  The strips are 1 ½” wide and are on 16” centers.  The strips are on the inside and outside of the block.

All exterior finishes can be installed using the above described methods.

What about plumbing?

Empty cores can be used as plumbing chases, but copper fittings are difficult to sweat within the tight confines of the core.  Normally, plumbing is handled very similarly to concrete block construction with plumbing coming up through the floors in close proximity to the walls and to be hidden by cabinets.  In the cases where plumbing does need to run vertically up (or down) the wall, the inside sections of empty cores can be cut out, the plumbing pipes put in place, after which the cut-out section of foam can be replaced.  If the run needs to run horizontally, a channel of appropriate width can be routed as needed.

If nailing strips are in place, exterior to the block, the ¾” thickness reduces the depth of channel needed in most cases.

 How much REBAR will I need to use?

Building design, engineering and local building codes will dictate the amount, size and location of all rebar.  Seismic active areas will all require rebar usage depending upon their zone, but each zone will require different amounts and sizes.  The building plans should detail the exact placement, size, and number of each rebar needed.