Gents,
Could one of you nice US blokes check in a local hardware store to see if you can buy Hebel and/or Ecoblocks? They are made there…
Ecoblock… http://www.eco-block.com/about/default.aspx and Hebel… http://www.xella-usa.com/html/us/en/index.php but I need to know if they are reasonably readily available as I’ve been asked to do a GR article on them IF! folks can buy them.
Didn’t someone say a couple weeks ago that they were sold only in Australia?
That’s why I posted the US links. They are made and sold in the US
These are considered “specialty construction”. You can’t go out and buy these at a local store, they are only available direct from the manufacturers and to my knowlwdge they are made to order and shipped direct to your construction site by the maker. I havent seen these ever offered at a local hardware store or chain like Home Depot or Orchard Hardware Supply. You might be able to get these from a concrete specialty company but I’d bet a dime they order them from the manufacturer.
Only where code allows. They get used some for building basements below grade, but not a lot of stuff allowed above grade.
Phil, There is a contractor here in York Pa who just built his own home using this system. I’ll have to find out which brand he used and his products availability. I’ll try to contact him by the weekend. Personnally thought it is a great product. With a R-50 value he can heat with a candle.
And for Steve this house is entirely above grade.
Edit. just went back to the links and his home was of the ECO type block
Never seen them in the DC / Baltimore area. The only place I have seen similar products is on home DIY shows like “This Old House”. This is what they are using on their current project - http://www.logixicf.com/
-Brian
I have seen this done here locally as well and is a very slick system.
However Phil I’m not sure exactly what your after?
You can purchase T&G sheets of say 2" thick stuff at Home Depot. What are you building or writing about for GR?
Not that I’m trying to steal your technique’s (you can steal mine I don’t care) but perhaps there is other terminology for what your after?
Never mind I forgot about this
http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=11955
David Marconi said:
Phil, There is a contractor here in York Pa who just built his own home using this system. I'll have to find out which brand he used and his products availability. I'll try to contact him by the weekend. Personnally thought it is a great product. With a R-50 value he can heat with a candle. And for Steve this house is entirely above grade.Edit. just went back to the links and his home was of the ECO type block
Where I’m at, local codes frown on new ideas. Seems I always pick places to live that are somewhat behind…
There was an article in GR a year or two ago on using Precision Board - http://www.precisionboard.com/
Offered in sheets or kits from these guys - http://www.rainbowridgekits.com/
-Brian
Yea Steve we have some of the same great minds around here, who just know that their way is your way too.
These are available in Arizona, and made in Safford, and a place in Tucson too.
They are known as ‘Rastra’, and becoming very popular because of their HUGE R-value.
http://www.rastra.com/
Glued together with low expansion foam, and filled with concrete, usually pumped due to height. Very sturdy staff.
What would these Eco-blocks be used for on a garden railroad?
Precision Board was used in the article in GR for building buildings. I talked to the manufacturer and even though it’s made in Orange County we would have to drive past them and go to the San Diego area to get any and then there might be a quantity I would have to buy. It also takes a special glue but I think it would hold up well outdoors.
Victor Smith said:Victor, I guess you missed this. Ralph
What would these Eco-blocks be used for on a garden railroad?
http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=11955
When I think Eco-block, I’m thinking these:
(http://www.polycon.com.au/documents/Image/1235704896.jpg)
…and I’m thinking insulated block walls and foundations
Phil not carried locally have to be ordered. Didn’t find out if a minimum order is required.
But as was pointed out Foam sheet is available.
Vic, thems the things have been used around here above grade as posted
Victor Smith said:
When I think Eco-block, I’m thinking these:(http://www.polycon.com.au/documents/Image/1235704896.jpg)
…and I’m thinking insulated block walls and foundations
Yeah Vic, As Dave M stated were on the same page however terminology varies and if you look at Home Depots site they call the foam insulation board ECO stuff. This is why I asked what the purpose was and posted his other link. If he is just building structures and doing an article on such there is no reason for the thickness of the Eco -Block. Which is a very neat system(for home foundations) but I still like my stacked limestone with clay lime mortar…wish i had a 25’ deep basement like the Munsters did!
Phil Creer said:Mr Creer - I have done some research on your behalf, for which I will ask no payment, and found THIS -
Gents, Could one of you nice US blokes check in a local hardware store to see if you can buy Hebel and/or Ecoblocks? They are made there... Ecoblock... [url]http://www.eco-block.com/about/default.aspx[/url] and Hebel... [url]http://www.xella-usa.com/html/us/en/index.php[/url] but I need to know if they are reasonably readily available as I've been asked to do a GR article on them IF! folks can buy them.
ECO-Block UK Ltd
Address
ECO-Block UK Ltd
Baileys Down Farm
Parnholt Lane
Braishfield Romsey
Hampshire
SO51 0QT
Tel: +44 (0)1794 368657
Email: [email protected]
The panels of sheeting are 4 feet by 1.5 feet, and according to the guy I spoge at, they have just received two container-loads. Details are on the company web-site, BTW.
Next question, please.
tac
www.ovgrs.org.
Still no easily accessible source around here that I know of. I will check again. I always wanted to try working with the blocks myself.
Jon.