Is Du-Al concrete block construction good for a house
Hunter8it
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I found a house today that is a great value (great land, great location, great price) that is concrete block (Du-Al) and Steel beam construction. Steel beams supported on the block walls, concrete floors, ceilings and roof. It is old, but an open concept with few interior walls. To me it looks solid as a bunker and nothing but potential but I am not experienced with this construction technique. Is there anything I need to be concerned with? I think it is sitting on the market because it is unfamiliar to most people. I am really tempted but would appreciate input or comments from anyone that is familar with this type of construction. Thanks!
Replies
I'd never heard of Du-Al before. I gather it's a fiber-cement product. It doesn't appear that anyone is currently selling it, so it apparently never "caught on".
The few references I see mostly state that it's "concrete filled" (ie, "grouted"), so one assumes that if your property is made this way it would be quite strong, even if the block itself is not especially robust.
I participated in a Habitat build in Denver back about 18 years ago, using a pre-colored dry-stack modular block (I suppose it could have been Du-Al) that is rebarred and grouted (like ICF) and I was impressed with the quality of the construction -- a house built with that stuff would last a lifetime with minimal maintenance.
This is all I have on the concrete blocks.
Do you actually have the pamphlet, or just that image? It COULD be the dry-stacked stuff I saw in Denver, but the image is too fuzzy to tell.
They were made in Edmonton, A
Its probably a bit late to send a reply .. but I worked in the Du-Al Block factory in Edmonton, Alberta, Canuckland .. back in the 1970's. From memory it was invented by a feller from Europe .. and combined cement and sawdust in the block manufacturing process. It made for a very strong block but could be drilled with a normal drill bit .. screwed and nailed like timber .. and finished like a regular cement block. They were quite large .. like at least 15 or 18 inches tall and 24 inches long. They had good insulation properties .. not sure why they never caught on .. probably too good of an idea for those pre energy crunch days !!
Need Info
Hey Fijibrian,
Do you have any literature or manuals for this product? I am dealing with the same "Du-al" floor, i'm wondering if I can pour an additional 2" of concrete on top for in slab heating? Or do you know anyone in Edmonton who would have info?
Thanks,