Introduction
SmartBlockPlus™ from American ConForm® Industries
SmartBlock
is one of the most powerful and innovative concepts to arrive in the building materials
industry in many years.
forms are made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), they are an insulating, stay-in-place
formwork that speeds construction and yields a superior finished wall. In the most
basic use of concrete in construction, using SmartBlockPlus accomplishes in one step
what normally requires numerous steps: it simultaneously acts as the forming system
for placing concrete, the structural system for above and below grade walls, as
superior stay-in-place insulation, sound suppression and as the substrate for exterior
and interior finishing materials.
The building process is simple: stack the block, lay rebar, brace the wall and pour
concrete. Four-foot lifts are recommended with a 3/8" aggregate at a 6" slump. Jobs
go more quickly, with less waste and lower costs.
SmartBlockPlus forms are great for forming smooth, plumb walls. However, SmartBlock's
special design is also versatile: arches and radius walls, for example, can be designed
and built with ease. The only tools required for special designs are a handsaw and
tape.
Stuccos, waterproofing, drywall, siding and other finishes can be applied directly
to the foam surface, allowing the complete range of design options available with
traditional building techniques.
As for the finished structure, SmartBlockPlus forms combine the strength and safety
of concrete walls with the high quality insulation of EPS foam, yielding buildings
and homes that are safer, sounder and stronger.
And just a word about the environment: SmartBlockPlus forms do not utilize CFCs in any
step of production. Lumber use (and expense) during construction is dramatically
reduced, and any lumber used for bracing can be re-used on other parts of the job.
And SmartBlockPlus forms are non-toxic and inert. SmartBlockPlus forms are not only the
safest choice for the environment, but also the smartest choice for builders and
homeowners. In short, SmartBlockPlus means strength, speed and comfort.
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