Product category:
Bricks, Blocks and Lintels
News Release from: Thermalite | Subject: Thin Joint Masonry system
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 22 September 2004
Block Work From Floor To Roof In 9 Days
Independent tests have revealed that the use of Large Format blocks in thin joint construction can lead to at least a 50% time reduction, compared with the use of aggregate blocks.
Completing the block work from floor to roof on a new house, completely unaided, in just nine days would test the skills of even the most experienced builder However, by using Thermalite's Thin Joint Masonry system, novice builder, Stuart Norbron, was able to achieve this feat, despite having never previously laid a block in his life
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 22 Jul 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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A car sprayer by trade, Stuart traded his paint for a trowel when he swapped careers to pursue a future in construction by establishing his own building company, Vonart, and setting out to build three brand new detached houses on the site where he used to work.
With no prior building experience, Stuart required high quality products that could be laid quickly, were easily handled and were cost effective.
To meet these demands, Stuart specified 666m2 of Thermalite's innovative Large Format Shield blocks, together with Trenchblock and Floorblock products for use in all three houses.
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Designed to offer considerable gains in productivity, combined with superior insulation properties, Large Format Shield blocks were used throughout the inner leaf of the wall cavities.
With dimensions of 440 x 430mm, the product is the equivalent size of two normal concrete blocks but with a weight of less than 20kg.
This results in faster build times whilst still complying with the Health and Safety Executive manual handling guidelines.
Independent tests have revealed that the use of Large Format blocks in thin joint construction can lead to at least a 50% time reduction, compared with the use of aggregate blocks.
Thermalite's innovative Tongue and Groove Trenchblock was specified for use in the foundations of all three houses.
For speed of use, the joints easily slot together in one simple process and, by joining the blocks together in this way, the perp-ends do not require mortaring, providing a much quicker method of construction.
Standard Trenchblock construction has already been proven to halve build-time, but with Thermalite's Tongue and Groove blocks, housebuilders can gain a further 25% time saving.
Stuart saved yet more time by installing Thermalite's Floorblock system, a lightweight insulating floor block specifically designed for use with all proprietary inverted T-Beams.
The system allows for easy and quick installation, whilst providing a strong, thermally efficient surface.
Installed throughout both the ground and first floors of all three buildings the products were also specified because of their effective sound proofing qualities.
Stuart commented: "As a novice, taking on a project to build three four bedroom houses was a pretty daunting task but I chose Thermalite's Trenchblocks as they were easy to lay very quickly.
Again Shield blocks were specified because I could lay them myself relatively easily and quickly - whilst cost for cost they were the best option for me.
Ultimatly, Thermalite's products were also chosen to cover a lot of ground quickly, so quickly in fact that I finished the entire block work in only nine days.".
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