The owner of Stitt Energy Systems, Orlo Stitt, has built some homes with ICFs "to the roof". I.E.,all the exterier walls are concrete and rebar. His current home is constructed this way. However, the materials cost is higher than conventional or SIP walls. I personally did not see the advantage for my needs. The SIPs are tight and very well insulated. We will have "Hardy Board" as the covering over the SIPs. This is rated the same as masonary as far as fire insurance is concerned. Orlo has this over the ICF/Concrete walls on his house.
Basements are the norm, at least in Missouri. Actually, our new place is like a two story with the "upper story" on the bottom. The main level has the Kitchen, Great Room, Master Suite, Guest Room, Mud/Laundry room, and Guest Bath. The lower level, not basement please, has the Recreation room, another Guest Room, Bath, Safe Room/Library, and Work Shop. The lot slopes, so three sides of the lower level is above grade. Only the East side is below grade. Lot's of large windows too.
We have some serious storms in the midwest. The safe room has all it's walls made out of ICFs, just like the rest of the foundation. It will also have a concrete ceiling. So if bad weather threatens, that's where we'll sleep. My wife does not care for storms!
I've attached a photo of Orlo's house.
