Browse Forums General Discussion Re: Building material - Foam 2Apr 15, 2009 11:48 pm define foam, can you be a bit more specific? 2nd-Fix | Blog Building with Desyn Homes previously with the insolvent [url=https://www.facebook.com/7NewsAdelaide/videos/1162546323776021/]Endeavour Homes[/url] Re: Building material - Foam 3Apr 16, 2009 7:43 am Do you mean the foam blocks they use to construct the walls and then put concrete or something in? 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: Building material - Foam 4Apr 16, 2009 8:16 am If u mean foam with render - We would be using the Unitex system for certain external walls in our new home. We learnt about this recently but know friends who have used - They were happy http://www.unitex.com.au Regards Re: Building material - Foam 5Apr 16, 2009 9:13 am Things to consider when using unitex: (1) Put flashings on to stud wall prior to putting polystyrene on (2) Fixing anything to polystyrene is almost impossible, such as downpipe clips etc (3) Leave recommended margin from flashings to under side of poly otherwise it will suck up the water (4) Damages easily (5) Make sure the external walls have been straightened properly before installtion as you will spot the defects (6) Good insulation (7) Not that high on the security side of things (8) Not recommended in bushfire areas, gives off gas when burnt and quite flammable (9) Easy to install, good to work with as it is very light (10) More stable than blueboard in the same application, not as much movement when fixed as per manufacturers recommendations But don't be scared off these are just things we have come acros over the years of installing this stuff. Cheers Ben LEADING THE WAY IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION BUILDERSEDGE PTY LTD Re: Building material - Foam 7Apr 16, 2009 11:08 am My parents have built their entire home out of unitex except for the floors. Only thing to be careful with - the coating that goes on the outside doesn't seem to hold colour all that well. They can't guarantee that the colour will last a certain amount of years. Lighter colours seem to be ok - but a feature external wall of my parents' home is deep purple - the wall gets afternoon sun - and now that wall is almost lavendar/lilac - the sun has faded the product significantly. Unitex have said that they "are not in the paint business" - so won't guarantee the steadfastness of colour. Mum is trying to get them to come out and look at it but it's been like pulling teeth. The stuff was easy to use and looks great though. After 4 years - we're in! Re: Building material - Foam 8Apr 16, 2009 1:58 pm Ben, Appreciate the pointers, thanks. I was a bit worried about using that as a building material but now I know a bit more, I think it should do fine. Thanks again. K BUILDERSEDGE Things to consider when using unitex: (1) Put flashings on to stud wall prior to putting polystyrene on (2) Fixing anything to polystyrene is almost impossible, such as downpipe clips etc (3) Leave recommended margin from flashings to under side of poly otherwise it will suck up the water (4) Damages easily (5) Make sure the external walls have been straightened properly before installtion as you will spot the defects (6) Good insulation (7) Not that high on the security side of things (8) Not recommended in bushfire areas, gives off gas when burnt and quite flammable (9) Easy to install, good to work with as it is very light (10) More stable than blueboard in the same application, not as much movement when fixed as per manufacturers recommendations But don't be scared off these are just things we have come acros over the years of installing this stuff. Cheers Ben Re: Building material - Foam 9Apr 16, 2009 6:58 pm I'll take that into consideration as well. I need the colour to match the existing building so it blinds in. Mind you, it's an older style 1960 comission home so the fading colour might even work better. Thanks. Ka stonecutter1309 My parents have built their entire home out of unitex except for the floors. Only thing to be careful with - the coating that goes on the outside doesn't seem to hold colour all that well. They can't guarantee that the colour will last a certain amount of years. Lighter colours seem to be ok - but a feature external wall of my parents' home is deep purple - the wall gets afternoon sun - and now that wall is almost lavendar/lilac - the sun has faded the product significantly. Unitex have said that they "are not in the paint business" - so won't guarantee the steadfastness of colour. Mum is trying to get them to come out and look at it but it's been like pulling teeth. The stuff was easy to use and looks great though. Re: Building material - Foam 10Apr 16, 2009 7:10 pm I was shown this foam stuff yesterday by a builder and I'm not 100% sure it is strong enough, I reckon a solid kick and you will have your foot inside someones bedroom. Have a look at the stuff first then decide. Re: Building material - Foam 11Apr 16, 2009 8:08 pm Lam I was shown this foam stuff yesterday by a builder and I'm not 100% sure it is strong enough, I reckon a solid kick and you will have your foot inside someones bedroom. Have a look at the stuff first then decide. Try kicking it again once it's been rendered. JB Re: Building material - Foam 12Apr 16, 2009 11:05 pm James Bond Lam I was shown this foam stuff yesterday by a builder and I'm not 100% sure it is strong enough, I reckon a solid kick and you will have your foot inside someones bedroom. Have a look at the stuff first then decide. Try kicking it again once it's been rendered. JB Does rendering it make it much stronger? I didn't know that, I wouldn't mind having the side of the house against the side fence done with that as it is much cheaper and it is also west facing. Will have to enquire about it again. Re: Building material - Foam 13Apr 17, 2009 8:59 am Lam Does rendering it make it much stronger? I didn't know that, I wouldn't mind having the side of the house against the side fence done with that as it is much cheaper and it is also west facing. Will have to enquire about it again. Rendering makes it very strong. Once its rendered you could damage it with a hammer, but then you can do that to concrete too. JB Oh no! I would use a can of expandable foam ( there are some that will take render) then cut it back and render over the top 1 4242 There is nothing in the various codes and standards that puts this requirement on the builder to do. I think that is what you are asking. Don't waste time trying to get… 5 2442 Different to what others have said but thanks for that insight. 2 5235 |