Papercrete

[Cyngbaeld]

Anybody try this? I'm thinking of using it to spray under the mobile home for insulation.

[Freeholder]

I've got a little book on papercrete, but because it requires a mechanical mixer and I don't have the tools or the know-how to make one, I set the idea aside. It might be good for insulating underneath a MH, though. In fact, once you had the equipment and a little experience, you might be able to completely enclose your MH in papercrete! That would really cut down on your heating and AC bills!

Kathleen

[Snowdancer]

I've been looking into it for my next project. I haven't tried building with it yet but did make a couple test blocks which seem very sturdy.

Here's some links you might like.

http://www.zianet.com/papercrete/

Building your own papercrete mixer cheaply & a lot of info for the beginner.

http://www.livinginpaper.org/

[Cyngbaeld]

Yes, I actually have most of the mixer already. I have an old pull behind, homemade (not by me!) mower that was made from an old vehicle axle. All I need is the tank. I was thinking of enclosing the whole mobile home with papercrete and putting a roof across it with more insulation and full length porches front and back. Just don't have the $ for it right now.

[Snowdancer]

Originally Posted by Cyngbaeld

Yes, I actually have most of the mixer already. I have an old pull behind, homemade (not by me!) mower that was made from an old vehicle axle. All I need is the tank. I was thinking of enclosing the whole mobile home with papercrete and putting a roof across it with more insulation and full length porches front and back. Just don't have the $ for it right now.

That sounds like it would be both practical and pretty. I love the idea of those full length porches.
Good Luck and please post a picture diary when you do start the project.

[Cyngbaeld]

Thanks, I will!

[Shrek]

being paper, you have to treat it to prevent termite infestation due to the high cellulose cotent , termite swarms love it.

[Snowdancer]

Originally Posted by Shrek

being paper, you have to treat it to prevent termite infestation due to the high cellulose cotent , termite swarms love it.

Shrek, would that be an additive while making the papercrete or something applied externally after the project is done?

[lmnde]

My understanding that the portland cement with borax added to the paper crete makes it pretty much insect proof and also flame retardent. The "in living paper" website - link above in previous post - has a lot of info to offer as well as several links to other related webpages.

[Cyngbaeld]

Termites won't touch it because of the cement mixed in.

[WayneR]

Have read on several sites that papercrete,containing cellulose,will also absorb moisture and is unsuitable for damp locations. The above site shows it being used in areas of normally low humidity

Wanted to use the material to make a floor in an outbuilding w/ reinforcement,vapour barrier,sealant. Has anyone used it for that purpose and has it held up? Thanks

[Cyngbaeld]

I wouldn't use it for a floor or anyplace it would sit in water. It won't absorb humidity from air any more than other building materials.

[DayBird]

HGTV has a program called "Look What I Did"

Yesterday, on the show, a lady had used paper mache and made flagstones to cover her bathroom floor with. Used more papermache in a different color to grout with. She covered it in a couple of coats of poly and reseals it yearly.

off topic, I know, but just a thought...

[Jim-mi]

I'm remembering reading of the "house walls" made of papercrete and then a stucco coat applied ---to seal and waterproff.

I got a regular concrete mixer at a gay-rodge sale--about $40. I'm going to use it and pour the crete into forms and make some "blocks" . . . . .don't know why that wont work.

stay tuned . . . .

[michelleIL]

This seems like an interesting way to build a home, but I'm wondering about the insect issue as well as moisture, but then again, moisture happend even with the best materials.
Michelle

[Jim West]

You might want ask at the link. Lot's of good info. Jim


http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/
Green Home Building: Index

[TxGypsy]

I hate to even post this because I'm sure I'll get booed but here goes. I've seen a real honest to goodness papercrete structure. A fairly large one. It's in a desert environment. However it had been raining right before I saw it. It felt like a wet sponge. Definately not something to instill feelings of safety. There were cracks in a LOT of places....some of them could be safety/structural issues. This building was done by a fellow that is quite active in the papercrete circles and has had numerous articles written about his place. I had been considering papercrete until I went and looked.....no way, no how would I consider building out of it. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Cyngbaeld]

Thanks, TxGypsy! Did that house have a foundation that wasn't papercrete? What kind of roof did it have?

[Freeholder]

IMO, you should use the same rules of construction with papercrete as with cob -- good hat and good shoes. In other words, build a good foundation, and put a good, WIDE roof on, with at least three feet of overhang all around.

That said, even without the overhangs, I see no reason why papercrete wouldn't work for what Kim originally asked about, insulation underneath her MH.

Kathleen

[TxGypsy]

I wish I had paid a bit more attention. After a few minutes I knew it wasn't for me so I didn't study it as closely as would have otherwise. I'm not real sure on the foundation but the roof was domes made out of papercrete. Some of the walkways were papercrete so the foundation might have been papercrete also, but I'm not positive. If it was that would be one reason for the cracks. Foundations aren't a good area to experiment with.