Why Insulated Concrete is Superior

Strength

Walls of 136mm thick 30MPA concrete reinforced at 600mm centres vertically and horizontally with D12 steel bars plus steel studs at 140mm centres. Interior walls concrete without the insulation or normal 90×45 timbers. Reinforced concrete structures rare in many locations worldwide are often the only ones remaining after server natural disasters. Earthquake resistance is considerable and specific to each design and location should you wish for more.

Warmth

Having the huge mass of concrete on the warm side of the wall is the secret to a cool summer home and retaining winter warmth, boosted by substantial ceiling insulation and double glazing careful design and orientation can mean no artificial heating is required at all.

Durability

Other then aesthetic maintenance of plaster and paint coatings your concrete home will serve many generations. The concrete is behind four water resistant layers, is water proof itself and the steel galvanised or embedded. The 50 year New Zealand building code structural durability requirement is easily and confidently exceeded.

Disadvantages

Changes and alterations are difficult and expensive. The completed structure is heavy but still well within most soil bearing capacities and like any timber building, subject to testing ground bearing capacity and foundation design.

More Advantages

Fire Resistance

Accredited Australian tests of a standard 150mm wall panel complete with electrical conduits and plugs showed no failure at the completion of a 240 minute fire test of a structurally loaded panel. No steel, timber, concrete block or brick structure comes close.

Quiet

Virtually sound proof to airborne sound and very resistant to structural sound.

Void Free

No voids or cavities to support insects, vermin or pests.

Less Maintenance

No plaster board linings to damage means longer life with less maintenance.

Versatile

Computer designed and prefabricated with every wall also a beam allows flexibility in uses and architectural design.

Speed of Construction

Prefabricated and labelled panels from shop drawings ensure fast on site erection without the cost of cranes. Framing, cladding, insulation, bracing and lining form the lightweight panel with services, reinforcing and concrete placed on site. Fewer sub trades reduces cost and errors while increasing productivity.

For more information visit AFS™ Structural Wall System