By: Dale Mullikin, Sales Representative - Architectural Products
I remember as a kid we would play a game based on the TV show Password. I think that gives away that I’m old! One time I was playing with my dad and I said, “BIG” and he thought for a while and said, “Tractor.” We lived on a farm in Iowa so it made sense to him, but I was looking for “SMALL.” Geofoam projects all across the nation seem so BIG. Checkout our website for projects like I-15, TraxWest Valley Lightrail, Millenium Park or Legacy Highway. They all are “BIG” Ge projects. Over the years I have been involved in more “SMALL” Geofoam projects than the big ones.
Geofoam is a lightweight structural fill material that can be used many different ways. They don’t have to all be big projects. Here are some great smaller uses: stadium seating in theaters, behind retaining walls, utility protection, green roofs, landscaping, elevation changes in buildings, filling voids of all sizes, steps or stoops.
Small Commercial Applications
I have worked with Steve Chmelar from Carroll Distribution on a number of steps and stoop projects. Steve says, ” In addition to the typical applications of supplying Geofoam for lightwieght structural fill, we have used Geofoam for floor leveling, structural stairways, and void materials in concrete construction. A surprisingly successful application has been the use of Geofoam as a replacement for frost-protected concrete foundations below stoops and entryways. By simply installing a solid block of Geofoam that measures from frost depth to bottom of the concrete slab. In less time than it would have taken to form and pour a concrete footing, the entire stoop could have been built.”
Geofoam: The Solution for Contractors
Sure they are small projects, but the contractors are finding out that Geofoam is a great solution to a problem that has existed for a long time. How do you deal with steps and and stoops in an easy, quick, economical way? How about using Geofoam? Attached are a couple pictures that show the use of Geofoam in this application.
So next time you come across a problem that needs fill, think of Geofoam whether it is BIG or SMALL project. I have not thought of a use for Geofoam involving a tractor, but give me time!
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