Papercrete School Stands up to Typhoon
Many have asked how papercrete would hold up in a tropical climate. I must admit I have not had any real answers for them because I am in a desert environment and have not heard from anyone who has used papercrete in a humid area.
This morning as I was doing some web surfing on papercrete (no one to my knowledge has used it for a surf board either) I came across this YouTube video about a couple in Taiwan who built a papercrete school house.
What really caught my attention was the comment that they coated their walls with a silicon sealer to protect then from rain.
Since I am planning a papercrete roof I am interested in ways to seal it if I need to some day. I plan to just leave it unsealed and see what happens. I know from experience that papercrete blocks left out in the weather for 3 years showed no sign of deterioration. In fact they seem keep getting stronger.
The problem comes in when the blocks are left to sit in water or when water is allowed to puddle and remain on the surface. Papercrete is highly hydrophilic which means it loves to suck up water. So the trick to making the roof withstand the effects of rain and snow will be to make sure there is an adequate roof pitch and that there are no low areas where water will sit long enough to be absorbed.
So here is a short video about a couple in Taiwan who built a schoolhouse in a tropical environment. Not only has it withstood rain and humidity, it withstood the effects of a typhoon with no ill effects!
Also take note of his comments about his foundation and the savings he will realize by not having to buy fiberglass insulation.
Papercrete School Stands up to Typhoon
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