Hebel Block by Xella is Loaded with Long-Term Benefits

The exterior of the home is being constructed out of Hebel block, a form of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), manufactured by Xella.

It costs more than our typical construction methods, but once you consider its benefits you are likely to conclude as we did that it provides a better long-term value.  Indeed, in our interview with the novice installer, Rusty Parker, he was so impressed with the product that he has decided to use it for his addition on his own home.

Its key benefits include:

1. Fire-Resistant. It is non-combustible and fire resistant for up to 4 hours of direct exposure – the highest rating possible – protecting both life and property.

2. Sound Proof. It performs as a sound insulator, providing a quiet and pleasant place to relax.

3. Insulation. There is no need for additional insulation. Hebel block is the only insulator needed in our climate. This saves us up front (from not having to purchase insulation) and down the road.

4. Flexibility. Unlike concrete block, AAC is solid, lightweight and can be easily cut. This opens up design possibilities that concrete block does not offer.

5. Water-Resistant. Hebel block joints are 1/8″ thick and continuous across the head joint and bed joint, meaning there is no pathway for water intrusion.

6. Impact Resistant. AAC blocks successfully passed the large missile impact test (06-009 ASTM report) and can sustain winds up to 150 mph.

7. Mold and Pest Resistant. Solid single wythe construction with Hebel products leaves no void spaces for mold or pest to infiltrate.

8. Eco-friendly Manufacturing Process. Hebel takes great care in producing its products. From manufacturing to the building site there is no pollution from Hebel products. Hebel products do not produce any V.O.C.’s (volatile organic compounds). Hebel also recycles steam created from autoclaving their products and reclaims trimmings from every mold and uses them in subsequent molds.

Xella is providing the AAC for our project. David Miller has been our company representative, and both he and the technical staff have helped us with the project since the product is relatively new in our region. If you are interested in learning more, I suggest you watch the video, read the remaining information below, visit their web site, and contact David at david.miller@xella.com.

Note that AAC was invented in 1923 in Europe, and is commonly referenced as Hebel block because of the innovations that Josef Hebel brought to the product in the 1940s. It has been very popular in Europe for use, but has only recently been introduced in the U.S.

Hebel/Xella’s AAC plant is located in Adel, Georgia—- the largest autoclave plant in North America. It is about 3 hours from our job site.

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Basement Wall

Bluwood Adds Life to Home

Bluwood Framing of Basement Walls for AAC and Insulation

We treated our lumber with Bluwood in order to increase the durability of the home. Bluwood protects the lumber against mold, fungus, moisture and termites. The treatment is non-toxic, and it is considered environmentally-friendly because it increases the longevity of the structure—- the longer the structure lasts, the longer it stays out of the landfill. To learn more about Bluwood, please listen to the video or give Chuck Micelli a call at 334.354.2539 or e-mail him at chuck@edgefieldlumber.com. Edgefield Lumber is the exclusive supplier in our region.

Re-using Concrete Block Waste

Recycled Concrete for Basement Posts

While installing the basement beams, we re-used the concrete block waste at the base of the beams before pouring the concrete at the base. This prevented the concrete block material from being hauled off to the land fill.

The Foundation

 

Foundation Completed

The 2008 EnergyKey Demonstration Home at the Waters has been rising up over the past several months. 

The first issue we faced as how to deal with a treeless sloping lot.  We decided to design the home so that it would accommodate a basement.

We’re building the 2008 EnergyKey Demonstration Home.

Welcome to Alabama Greenhouse, where we’ll be chronicling the construction of the 2008 EnergyKey Demonstration Home and what we hope will be the state’s first LEED-certified private residence. Located just outside Montgomery in a growing Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) called The Waters, the home is a collaborative effort between the developer, the builder Parker Bros. Construction, and the Home Builders Association of Alabama.

In the coming months, we’ll bring you all kinds of news, photos and video to introduce you to the ideas and challenges associated with green building — the materials and products, the construction methods and, perhaps most importantly, the results.

For now, though, let’s start with a rendering of the home itself. This is the dream. Let’s get started.