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We recommend Post & Beam frames as load bearing structure for Mud brick or Straw bale outside walls. Ready machined kits available now makes this structure easy accessible for owner builders with proper guidance. Timber Frames have the advantage that you build the frame and roof first giving shelter to build the walls. Advantages as well as disadvantages compared to other materials: |
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AAC Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (Ytong and CSR Hebel) |
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We recommend AAC Bricks for solid load bearing and non load bearing outside walls. Ease of use with a cement based glue make them ideal for owner builders. Ž Medium embodied energy Ž Long lifespan in all weather condition Ž Able to breathe Ž Non toxic Ž Low weight Ž High sound and thermal insulation Ž Excellent fire resistance, particularly suited for fire rated applications. Ž Very flexible in design, colour and surface finishes Ž Easy shaped with hand tools Ž Medium thermal mass
With proper advice and support anybody can successfully build with AAC blocks. |
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BUILDING MATERIALS BACK ► |
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Mud brick or Adobe
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We recommend Mud brick for solid load bearing and non load bearing inside walls.
With proper advice and support anybody with reasonable fitness and healthy back can successfully produce & build with Mud brick. |
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Straw bale
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We recommend Straw bale building for non load bearing outside walls. Ease of use makes them ideal for owner builders if all recommended precautions are followed. A load bearing frame might be necessary to comply with local building codes. Straw bale has advantages as well as disadvantages compared to other materials:
Ž Low in embodied energy (apart from some renders) Ž Use of natural resources and minimal use of manufactured products Ž Good sound absorption Ž Insulation properties excellent Ž Low thermal mass (apart from render) Ž Ability to "breathe" Ž Easily worked (weight restriction) Ž Flexibility in design/colour/surface finishes Ž Medium weight, recommended for people with reasonable back and strength only Ž Long lifespan only if protected from weather/moisture (moulds & rot) Ž Prone to attract vermin if straw still contains seed
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Post & Beam (Fachwerk) frames
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Solid Log homes
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Pleas scroll to the topic you are interested in! |
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We recommend Solid Log Homes
Ready machined kits available now makes this structure easy accessible for owner builders with proper guidance. The whole house is pre machined in a workshop and assembly on site is relatively easy. |
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Ž Low in embodied energy Ž Use of natural resources and minimal use of manufactured products Ž Excellent structural integrity in a fire & earthquake situation. In most cases better than steel and timber stud frames. Ž Complimentary building technique to straw bale and mud brick through the natural aspect and the structural aspect (the walls do not have to be structural). Ž Short assembly time on site as all joinery is completely finished and test assembled in a workshop prior to transport to the site. Ž Long life span. Build for the future. Ž Internal walls are rarely structural giving a greater choice of location. Ž Opportunity to use renewable and recycled building materials. Ž Readily suitable for owner builders
Our sister company Sustainable Building Resources Pty Ltd supplies ready to assemble traditional frames for any given design. |
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Ž Low in embodied energy Ž Use of natural resources and minimal use of manufactured products Ž Excellent structural integrity in a fire & earthquake situation. In most cases better than steel and timber stud frames. Ž Short assembly time on site as all joinery is completely finished and test assembled in a workshop prior to transport to the site. Ž Long life span. Build for the future. Ž Internal walls are rarely structural giving a greater choice of location. Ž Well insulating with the added bonus of high thermal storage capacity of timber Ž Readily suitable for owner builders
Our sister company Sustainable Building Resources Pty Ltd supplies custom designed ready to assemble solid log homes.
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