There are many choices to make when embarking on a new build and I am so glad that we chose to use Nexcem Blocks. Part of our decision-making in choosing materials for our build was about our carbon footprint. Nexcem blocks seemed like a good choice because you need less concrete with them than with comparable products.
Our builder was unsure about them at first because he had never used them before, but he was quickly won over by how easy they are to use. They require only wood-working construction tools – saws and screws – making them easy to cut to size and odd angled corners relatively easy to create. They come in easy lifting lengths. No specialized masonry skills are required. The blocks just sit one on top of the other and they interlock one end to the next one. To level, all you need are wood shims! All this meant that my partner and I, relatively unskilled labourers, could do this too. It was a very satisfying part of the build.
Finally, we got excellent and timely support from Vipul Acharya – engineer, technical information, sales, and general helpful person at Nexcem.
Two things I would have done differently:
First, I would have tied each of the two walls together at every layer rather than just the top layer to make the walls an integral whole. (Our house is double framed making the walls 18″ wide which meant we needed a double brick foundation wall as well).
Second, I would have used an actual membrane on the outside of the wall rather than just a paint-on bitumen product because I think a membrane would add durability for the life of the wall.
Nexcem – a great choice
