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SIREWALLS Made of Rammed Earth Offer Many Benefits Over Concrete
February 2, 2009
A newcomer to World of Concrete, SIREWALL will undoubtedly command attention from top architects and innovative builders. SIREWALL’s beautiful lines, stunning hues and award-winning projects will turn heads and beg the question – why feature rammed earth at World of Concrete?
Stabilized, Insulated Rammed Earth, SIREWALL, is typically 18″ to 24″ thick, stabilized with rebar and has 4″ of rigid insulation hidden in the centre of the wall. These eye-catching walls have the strength and beauty of sedimentary sandstone inside and out, with hidden insulation in the middle. No snapties, no strapties, just uninterrupted beauty. SIREWALLS have a distinctive, visceral connection to the earth that are not only stunning focal points, they are solid foundations with thermal mass beyond any other.
SIREWALLS have impressive environmental benefits, inherent in the efficient use of earth and the soil blending approach. SIREWALL uses soils that are, at most, put through a three quarter inch screen to remove the big bits. Unlike concrete, SIREWALL uses clay as a free binder and silt as a microfiller. Both help to improve ductility and strength over time when used in moderation. Heating and cooling is efficient and there is little or no maintenance with SIREWALLS. The materials are non-toxic and do not require chemical sealants or treatments.
SIREWALL uses 6 – 10% cement by weight while concrete uses 20% – 30% by weight. Although the amount of material in a SIREWALL is typically a little over double the material in a concrete wall because the SIREWALL is thicker, the amount of cement in a SIREWALL is still less.
SIREWALLS bring more than double the mass to a building, which then more than doubles the benefits of the thermal and humidity flywheels. Further, since the bending moment goes up with the cube of the wall thickness, for SIREWALLS and concrete walls of the same thickness, the SIREWALL is 13.5 times as strong. Most importantly, the SIREWALL insulates 13 times more than a concrete wall of the same thickness. SIREWALL has R33 for a 24″ wall and concrete has R24 for 24″.
Until recently, SIREWALL Founder and environmental builder Meror Krayenhoff thought he would continue to build rammed earth homes on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, make a great living and retire there with his family. With mass awareness on environmental issues and demand for green building alternatives on the rise, Meror realized that SIREWALL had the potential to develop a new standard for healthy, efficient homes and buildings – a standard that could be proudly shared with like-minded visionaries around the globe.
With its ecological and health benefits, combined with beauty and durability, SIREWALLS are ideal for commercial buildings and residential homes that will create a lasting legacy.
At World of Concrete, meet the SIREWALL team at booth # S22338, South Hall Lev. 2.
For photos and additional information, please contact:
Diana Mulvey, Tel: 604-340-1847 www.sirewall.com