Man building three-story home made of ’98% air’ reveals what it’s like
A bizarre construction technique that claims to have economic and environmental benefits is aiding in building a man's dream home.
A company claims to have the perfect solution to solving the cost and sustainability issues of building a home in the most bizarre way.
A man in Jonestown, Texas has taken a company up on their pledge to build a home without using wood, brick or insulation.
Strata International Group Inc. is the Phoenix-based company that claims to have a groundbreaking technique that would save homeowners money on energy and construction costs.
Aaron Rowsell, who is having the company build him his home, admitted he thought the process would draw looks from his neighbors.
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However, he did say he first heard of homes being built with foam about 20 years ago and hopes it can help him build his dream home.
“I thought the neighbors might think I might be a little crazy when the truck load of foam showed up,” Rowsell said speaking to KXAN.
“You just shake your head at how they are putting a four foot by four foot beam that two or three guys are carrying whereas traditionally you would have a crane out here putting that thing into place.
“I’m excited for them to cut out this window and be able to take in this full view."
The technology the company employs means that Rowsell’s entire home, minus the foundation, can be built using the foam material which are made up of 98 percent air.
Instead of using a saw, the company's vice president, Amir Saebi, showed how they shape the material to get it how they want.
Using a kind of hot knife, the foam can be shaped how the builders want. Then when they want to connect pieces it uses a liquid foam to glue them together.
When all the foam is properly installed, the company adds its patented concrete solution on the exterior and interior of the home, acting as a hard shell for the foam.
Saebi also added that it is a great insulator and can be great for keeping costs down in labor and construction. He noted that 4 or 5 workers can construct the home rather than an entire team of builders.
The company’s website is also quite proud of the environmental benefits and has insisted their method addresses these environmental concerns.
“At Strata, we understand the importance of sustainability," the website reads. "As climate change and deforestation threaten our planet, it is more important than ever to embrace new technologies and methods that will sustain humanity long into the future."
"The SABS™ system uses no wood in the construction of our homes, and significantly decreases the amount of energy footprint on any build site.
"We developed this system to give people a safe, energy efficient, sustainable green home that the Earth can afford.”
Not quite sold myself, but hey, what do I know about home building?
Gerrard Kaonga