BuildBlock vs Amvic – An Unbiased Comparison
So You’ve Chosen ICF, Now What?
The brand war between ICF Manufacturers can get dirty. This series will be a side-by-side, unbiased comparison between ICF Brands so you can get the information you need without all the marketing speak, gathered and written by an actual human being.
Today, we will focus on BuildBlock and Amvic.
BuildBlock Building Systems
(866) 222-2575
BuildBlock Building Systems was formed in 2004 by founder Mike Garrett who led the company until 2017. He pioneered the use of ICFs in Oklahoma. Mike had been a top distributor for two other major ICF companies and spent more than 12 years in ICF construction and distribution and another 15 years in residential and small commercial construction.
Manufacturing Locations
CA, CO, FL, ID, MA, MD, MO, NC, OH, QC, SD, TX, WI, INT’L
Form Names
BuildBlock
BuildLock
GlobalBlock
Resources
This data comes primarily from the 2024 ICF Industry Comparison Chart published by ICF Builder.
Amvic Building System
(877) 470-9991
Amvic started with one clear purpose; to design, manufacture and distribute building material that enhances the comfort and performance of the building envelope. We have launched multiple energy-efficient products, available through our vast distribution network able to service and support your needs from the beginning of your project(s) to the end.
Manufacturing Locations
MO, UT, AB, ON, INT’L
Form Names
Amvic ICF R22
Amvic ICF R30
Resources
This data comes primarily from the 2024 ICF Industry Comparison Chart published by ICF Builder.
BuildBlock Form Specs
Dimensions
| Form Name | Length | Height | Core Sizes | Sq. ft. per cu. yd. (6″ core) | Wall Type (Screen / Waffle/ Flat / Modified Post and Beam) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BuildBlock | 48 | 16 | 4-8 | 54 | Flat |
| BuildLock | 48 | 16 | 4-12+ | 54 | Flat |
| GlobalBlock | 48 | 16 | 4-6 | 85 | Screen |
Ties
| Form Name | Style (Panel / Block / Hinge) | Material (Plastic / Steel / EPS) | Spacing (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BuildBlock | Block | Plastic | 6 inches |
| BuildLock | Block | Plastic | 6 inches |
| GlobalBlock | Block | EPS / Plastic | 12 inches |
Performance Data
| Form Name | Fire Rating (Hours) | Sound Attenuation | Sidewall Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| BuildBlock | 3-4 | 54 | 2.5 |
| BuildLock | 3-4 | 54 | 2.5 |
| GlobalBlock | N/A | 58 | Varies |
Amvic Form Specs
Dimensions
| Form Name | Length | Height | Core Sizes | Sq. ft. per cu. yd. (6″ core) | Wall Type (Screen / Waffle/ Flat / Modified Post and Beam) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amvic ICF R22 | 48 | 16 | 4-12 | 53 | Flat |
| Amvic ICF R30 | 48 | 16 | 6-8 | 53 | Flat |
Ties
| Form Name | Style (Panel / Block / Hinge) | Material (Plastic / Steel / EPS) | Spacing (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amvic ICF R22 | Block | Plastic | 6 inches |
| Amvic ICF R30 | Block | Plastic | 8 inches |
Performance Data
| Form Name | Fire Rating (Hours) | Sound Attenuation | Sidewall Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amvic ICF R22 | 3+ | 50+ | 2.5 |
| Amvic ICF R30 | 3+ | 50+ | 3.25 |
BuildBlock Building Considerations
| Form Name | Height Adjusters | Interlocking | Reversible | Brickledge | T-Blocks | 90° Corners | 45° Corner | Radius | Taper Top | End Caps | One-Sided Forming | In-Core Foam Inserts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BuildBlock | Made | Yes | Yes | Yes | Made | Yes | Yes | Yes & Made | Yes | Yes | 1-4+ | |
| BuildLock | Made | Yes | Yes | Yes | Made | Yes | Yes | Yes & Made | Yes | Yes | 1-4+ | |
| GlobalBlock | 4″ | Yes | Yes | Made | Yes | Made | Made | Yes |
Amvic Building Considerations
| Form Name | Height Adjusters | Interlocking | Reversible | Brickledge | T-Blocks | 90° Corners | 45° Corner | Radius | Taper Top | End Caps | One-Sided Forming | In-Core Foam Inserts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amvic ICF R22 | 4″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Made | Yes | |||
| Amvic ICF R30 | 4″ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Made | Yes | Yes | Made | Yes |
BuildBlock Code Approvals
| Form Name | ICC-ES | CCMC | Wisconsin | Florida | Miami-Dade | City of Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BuildBlock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BuildLock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GlobalBlock | Yes |
Amvic Code Approvals
| Form Name | ICC-ES | CCMC | Wisconsin | Florida | Miami-Dade | City of Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amvic ICF R22 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Amvic ICF R30 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
BuildBlock Support
| Form Name | CAD Details | BIM Library | Engineering Support | Training | Installation Help |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BuildBlock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BuildLock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GlobalBlock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Amvic Support
| Form Name | CAD Details | BIM Library | Engineering Support | Training | Installation Help |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amvic ICF R22 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Amvic ICF R22 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |