Is Tech Block environmentally friendly?
Tech
Block is one of the most environmentally friendly exterior wall systems
available. Not only do Tech Block walls reduce the energy needed
to heat and cool buildings (which helps conserve natural resources and
reduces global warming), but the basic ingredients of the blocks (cement,
polystyrene, and OSB) are each environmentally friendly in their own right.
Cement comes from limestone, and has long been accepted as a clean, non-polluting
building material. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is an essentially inert
material, the manufacture of which uses no CFCs or HCFCs. The EPS
used in Tech Blocks is reclaimed from other manufacturing processes.
Because it is not biodegradable and doesn't break down unless exposed to
sunlight, the use of EPS in Tech Blocks saves the landfill space that would
be needed to contain this long lasting material.
OSB
is made from wood left over from the making of framing lumber. When
a mill uses the scrap wood left over from the milling of trees for framing
lumber to make OSB, it can double the yield from those trees. This
is not only a more efficient use of wood, but because of the superior strength
of OSB compared to standard plywood and dimensional lumber, this can actually
reduce the amount of material needed to build a given structure.
Our
best scientists have been telling us that the damage we are doing to our
environment has the potential of becoming a catastrophe on a scale that
can only be exceeded by a nuclear winter. In the final analysis it
is the responsibility of each individual to help avert such an outcome.
We know that our product is essentially waterproof, fireproof, termite
proof and sound proof, but the quality we are most proud of is our product's
positive impact on the environment. We hope this will be a factor
when you choose construction materials for your building project.
How well is the "Attachment Layer" bonded to the block?
The
attachment layer (OSB) is attached to the blocks with a ton
and a half of bonding force. It provides an attachment layer on the
interior surface of the wall sufficient to support drywall, and is also
strong enough to act as backing for cabinetry, heavy decorative items,
towel racks, etc.
How much does a block weigh?
A
regular Tech Block weighs about 85 pounds, and our corner and header blocks
weigh significantly less.
Are the blocks glued together?
No.
Tech Blocks are dry stacked (no mortar like between bricks), aligned,
plumbed then filled with "grout" (a soupy concrete mix). However, once the concrete grout is
pumped into the vertical and horizontal channels formed by the blocks,
the blocks become tightly bonded together. It should be noted that
where there is a seam between blocks that is visible from either side,
there is a grout channel behind the seam. This completely eliminates
air infiltration through the wall.
How much does it cost to use Tech Blocks?
Wall
systems are priced by the square foot [of wall, not the square footage
of the building being erected]. In order to have a fair comparison,
it is assumed that any walls being compared are completed to the stage
where they are ready for other trades, usually rough plumbing and/or electrical,
then drywall, on the inside, and stucco or some masonry-based product like
cultured stone on the outside. Our installed price is about $2.00
per square foot more than the usual 2 x 6 wood stud wall, and is about
even with masonry CMU block construction.
The
differences are these: we have about twice the insulation and none
of the fire and termite problems that wood walls have, and we have about
seven times the insulation that block walls have. These are important
advantages because they result in continuous and everlasting savings in
reduced energy and maintenance costs.
It
should also be noted that the above comparisons don't take into consideration
the tremendous cost savings that can be attained by using our blocks for
stem walls (see the WetSet Method).
For a full quote call or visit the plant at
650-B Anderson Road, Hawkinsville, Georgia 31036. or call Phone: (478) 892-3464.
Retail Price is currently $30 per block (48"x16") with OSB attachment layer.
Contractors receive
a contractor discount (call for details 478-892-3464).
Installed price will
vary slightly depending upon who installs the block. Tech Block of Georgia
has install crews available to install the blocks. Owner/builders save
the added labor cost by installing the blocks themselves. Click here for
downloadable Installation Manual.
How much concrete is used in a Tech Block wall?
One
of the advantages of the Tech Block design is the efficient use of concrete.
It takes approximately 1 yard of concrete to fill the horizontal and vertical
channels in 35 Tech Blocks (about 0.03 yds/block), or about 1 yard/175
sq. ft. of wall. This is an approximate figure as corner blocks use
a little less concrete than regular blocks, and header blocks use a little
more.
Wall length times
height = square feet
square feet divided
by 175 = #cubic yards of concrete to fill cores and channels (we add 10%
for safety measure).
How is electrical wiring and plumbing run?
Tech
Blocks are very easy to cut using standard wood cutting tools. Typically,
for electrical wiring a horizontal channel is cut into the interior wall
surface (OSB side) an inch or two above or below a horizontal block seam.
This way the block seam acts as the other cut. The cut is usually
made using a circular saw with the blade set to penetrate about an inch,
and after making the cut a claw hammer can be used to pop the piece of
OSB off the block. Electrical wiring can then be placed in the resulting
channel. The channel should be covered with a strip of 18 guage steel
to prevent drywall screw penetration of the wiring.
Plumbing
chases can be run similarly to electrical wiring. Since plumbing
pipe will usually require a larger channel to be cut into the blocks, the
circular saw blade should be set to penetrate deeper. The block material
behind the OSB can be easily removed using a claw hammer, chain saw, etc.
Between each 6" vertical grout channel there is an 18" space that is 3
5/8" deep that can be removed to accommodate vertical pipe runs.
It is also easy to run pipe from exterior to interior directly through
the blocks and in between the grout channels.