Some info on the blocks
The blocks I have used in the build are made of about two thirds compressed sawdust/wood-chip the remainder is sand and a little cement. This waste product gives the blocks their insulation and reduced weight when compared with concrete or stone blocks.
They are an Aussie invention and have been available for about ten years now. The use of sawdust/wood-chip in the block helps tie up waste carbon making the blocks very Eco-friendly.
They are made locally by small operations mostly by hand. This creates jobs locally and keeps transportation costs down. The blocks are not kiln fired like clay bricks instead they are dried in air by the sun.
The blocks look like sandstone or mud brick as each block is handmade and unique.
The blocks can be nailed or sawn like wood and they have good thermal mass and insulation properties. These pictures show cut blocks and illustrates just how much wood particles are in each block.
A major advantage of the Timbercrete blocks are their fire rating. They are one of the most fire proof building products available in Australia. The blocks were fire tested by the CSIRO. The test involved bricking up the opening to a furnace. The furnace was then run at 1200 degrees C.
After 2 hours the furnace reached 1075 degrees C at that point the other side of the blocks had reached 40 degrees C (an increase of 17 degrees in 2 hrs). After an amazing 4 hours of testing the furnace reached 1175 degrees C and the unexposed face of the block reached 75 degrees C !
You can see the report in full at http://www.timbercrete.com.au/documents/reports/Fire%20Test-%20load%20bearing-%20%20Report%2
0&%20Chart.pdf
More info on the blocks can be found at http://www.timbercrete.com.au/
They are an Aussie invention and have been available for about ten years now. The use of sawdust/wood-chip in the block helps tie up waste carbon making the blocks very Eco-friendly.
They are made locally by small operations mostly by hand. This creates jobs locally and keeps transportation costs down. The blocks are not kiln fired like clay bricks instead they are dried in air by the sun.
The blocks look like sandstone or mud brick as each block is handmade and unique.
The blocks can be nailed or sawn like wood and they have good thermal mass and insulation properties. These pictures show cut blocks and illustrates just how much wood particles are in each block.
A major advantage of the Timbercrete blocks are their fire rating. They are one of the most fire proof building products available in Australia. The blocks were fire tested by the CSIRO. The test involved bricking up the opening to a furnace. The furnace was then run at 1200 degrees C.
After 2 hours the furnace reached 1075 degrees C at that point the other side of the blocks had reached 40 degrees C (an increase of 17 degrees in 2 hrs). After an amazing 4 hours of testing the furnace reached 1175 degrees C and the unexposed face of the block reached 75 degrees C !
You can see the report in full at http://www.timbercrete.com.au/documents/reports/Fire%20Test-%20load%20bearing-%20%20Report%2
0&%20Chart.pdf
More info on the blocks can be found at http://www.timbercrete.com.au/
posted by Ramsey at
3:21 PM
3 Comments:
Thanks for that link Ramsey, there is a South Australia supplier there. These blocks look great, I can see that their fire rating would be useful up in the Hills area here.
Those blocks are fantastic - i've never seen them here in WA though i guess they must be around. I totally admire your skills there Ramsey - theplace is looking amazing.
Thanks for the nice comments. It is very much a small step by step process.
The new wetter conditions could easily give me an ulcer with re-scheduling everyone and thing but I have decided to just roll with it all.
The frogs in the dam sing so loud at night it is rewarding to hear them so happy after such a long dry period.
I think Timbercrete is now available in WA.
Cheers to next time!
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