I am a do it yourself builder. I grew up a builder\'s son, helped build well over one hundred custom homes, and decided engineering was a better calling. During my adult life I built an adobe home in Peralta, NM. My first experience with insulated concrete forms was with Bob Porter of Foam Form in 1979. His forms I used as stem walls and built-in insulation. I have used many different insulated concrete forms from half a dozen different manufacturers. Other projects include a 2400 square foot garage with upstairs living quarters with Western Insulfoam, a 6000 square foot physicians office building in Cortez, CO, and a 1600 square foot garage in Rico, CO for a local physician.

I met Felix Marti at the Montezuma County Home Builders Fair in probably 2006. I was impressed with his display of Nudura ICFs and bought the entire display for inclusion in a home that we were planning to build in Dolores, CO. One of the important features of the Nudura design is the vertical plastic ties that secure the block firmly to the one below. This, of course, prevents the form from floating up as concrete is poured. The 8 foot by 18 inch size of each block helped minimize assembly time.

Prior construction with other manufacturers’ ICFs required pouring concrete in four foot lifts to minimize float. The Nudura system allowed us to pour the entire exterior nine foot wall in a single pour for a 3500 square foot residence.  With over thirty years experience with ICF construction I can recommend Felix Marti and Nudura ICFs as the best expertise and products currently available, and the best and easiest to use that I have encountered. Felix remains a good friend and has offered many quality construction techniques for both builders like myself, and those in the trade as a living.

I heartily recommend both Nudura ICFs and Felix Marti.

Don Barkhurst, Retired engineer, Home builder