Hidden Secrets

In preparation for the next stage of our building project we've been religiously rereading the Timbercrete building manual. As a result, it occurred to me that there are a few things that the casual observer may not realise are hidden inside a well built "TC" wall.  Here's just three:

DPC

Source: Timbercrete building manual

The Timbercrete manual recommends the use of galvanised flashing over a termite deterring coating. This structure, called a damp proof course (DPC), forms the base on which the bricks are laid.

Source: Timbercrete building manual

Threaded rod

Each wall incorporates vertical threaded rods that help hold down the roof. (Note to self: holding a roof up is not usually as big a challenge as holding it down.) Each rod is a couple of metres long with a hook at the bottom so it won't pull out of the brickwork. We will have about 20 of these rods.

Hoop iron

Source: Timbercrete building manual

The bricks on every second course (or row) have a steel strap joining them together. For our 1,100 brick project we will need 300 metres of strap and about 1,400 screws to attach it.

TIMBERCRETE - love it

We chose to build our house with a product called Timbercrete.  Their website is amazingly useful and, based on our experience, true to its word.  I really can’t praise the product or the company enough. 

For example, when I was drafting up the house plans (which I did in Microsoft Word - but that’s another post perhaps)  I emailed a copy to Timbercrete for their input.  They came back with some ideas which greatly simplified the brick laying and reduced waste.  Based on my plans they also estimated how many bricks we’d need, including bricks with power points already installed, bricks for lintels, bricks with horizontal and vertical service channels and even half bricks.  The wastage was incredibly small and their estimate very accurate. 

As for how it looks….love it.