Belize wall-system comparison

Compare reinforced concrete block and Stelcor ICF.

Use one wall geometry to compare a standard reinforced CMU wall, the same CMU wall with added insulation, and Stelcor ICF. Quantities are calculated first; costs include only the current material rates shown below.

Planning model · BZ$ Current supplier rates are editable. Structural dimensions and reinforcement must be confirmed by the project engineer.

Project assumptions

Start with the exterior walls. This comparison does not estimate foundations, roofs, slabs, MEP, finishes or whole-building cost.

Exterior wall length / perimeter

Wall height per storey

Number of storeys

Window and door allowance

Outside corners

count

Exterior doors

count

Used only to allow for reinforced CMU jamb columns.

CMU block width

6-inch is the supplier’s common-use starting point; engineering governs.

ICF planning core

Confirm the actual Stelcor core and design with Stelcor and the engineer.

Quantity allowances

Visible planning assumptions from the research specification. They can be changed for the project.

CMU waste

ICF form waste

Concrete over-order

Upgraded-CMU insulation allowance

BZ$/ft²

Review and edit current material rates

Selected CMU block

BZ$/ea

Complete Stelcor ICF block

BZ$/ea

Large outside corner brace

BZ$/ea

Sand-and-gravel concrete mix

BZ$/yd³

Cement bag

Selected cement price

BZ$/bag

Cement dosage for site mix

bags/yd³

No default: the supplier confirmed bag sizes but not the approved mix ratio.

½-inch (#4) steel · 40 ft

BZ$/bar

¼-inch (#2) steel · 20 ft

BZ$/bar

The supplier’s “concrete mix” is sand and gravel combined—not delivered concrete. The material subtotal prices that aggregate separately and adds cement only after a project mix dosage is entered.

Side-by-side planning result

All three systems use the same net exterior wall area. The CMU columns and bond beam are included so block is not compared as infill units alone.

1,360 ft² · 126.3 m²

System A

Reinforced CMU

Structural columns and bond beam, partially grouted block infill, no added insulation.

CMU units—

RC columns—

Concrete / grout—

½-in steel · 40-ft bars—

¼-in stirrup steel · 20-ft bars—

CMU unit cost—

Reinforcement cost—

Concrete aggregate component—

Concrete cement componentPending mix

Known material subtotal—Before mortar, formwork, labour, finishes, delivery, GST and any pending concrete cement.

Mortar usage and cost remain project inputs; no Belize rule was supplied.

Thermal basis: no insulation is included. A Stelcor-specific comparison should not assign a tested R-value to local 6-inch CMU without assembly data.

System B

Thermally upgraded CMU

The same reinforced CMU wall plus a user-priced insulation strategy over the net wall area.

CMU units—

Insulation coverage—

Concrete / grout—

½-in steel · 40-ft bars—

Base CMU materials—

Insulation allowanceQuote required

Known material subtotal—Uses the same exclusions as System A; insulation is added only when a rate is entered.

Enter a supplied-and-installed insulation rate to complete this added line.

Thermal basis: performance depends on the selected insulation, continuity, fixings and finish. The tool does not invent an R-value.

System C

Stelcor ICF

Locally manufactured forms, galvanized corner braces, reinforced concrete core and continuous EPS faces.

Complete ICF blocks—

Included standard brackets—

Large outside corner braces—

Concrete core—

½-in steel · 40-ft bars—

ICF forms + corner braces—

Reinforcement cost—

Concrete aggregate component—

Concrete cement componentPending mix

Known material subtotal—Before labour, bucks, pump, finishes, termite detailing, delivery, GST and pending concrete cement.

The selected core thickness and reinforcement are planning inputs, not a structural design.

Thermal basis: continuous EPS is included, but Stelcor-specific certified assembly values are not claimed by this calculator.

What the subtotal means

It is the sum of the priced units shown: CMU or ICF forms, reinforcement, concrete aggregate, optional cement dosage and optional CMU insulation. It is not an installed wall price.

Hurricane comparison

Properly reinforced CMU and reinforced ICF can both form robust wall systems. Roof-to-wall connections, openings and the complete load path remain critical and require engineering.

Current Belize rates

Defaults use the supplied BZ price list: 6-inch block BZ$3.40, concrete mix BZ$95/yd³, Progreso 42.5 kg cement BZ$25, ½-inch steel BZ$44/40 ft and ¼-inch steel BZ$7/20 ft.

Preliminary planning comparison only. Quantities rely on visible assumptions and do not establish structural adequacy. Ballpark mode does not quantify opening lintels. Costs exclude mortar unless separately quoted, labour, formwork timber, finishes, drainage planes, bucks, termite treatment, pumping, delivery, remote-location premiums, GST, contingency, foundations, roofs, slabs and professional fees. Have Stelcor and the project engineer review the drawings and specifications before ordering or construction.

Send your plans for a detailed comparison

Related tools and guidance: Stelcor ICF quantity calculator · ICF vs concrete block in the Caribbean.