Grancrete : Spray-Form Building
February 7th, 2005 | Filed under: Architecture, Building Tech, Fabrication Tech, Materials | 226 Comments »
Grancrete (pdf) by Argonne offers a step up from the spray-forming concrete products like Shotcrete available today. The ceramic composite of locally available, biodegradable ingredients is stronger than concrete. Since the material is sprayed onto a simple frame made of Styrofoam or locally woven fibers, we know the process offers a wide architectural formal vocabulary, allowing multiple translations of the material into its specific local customs. The material is currently going through its final testing prior to worldwide distribution for cheap housing.
via World Science : World changing
I am thinking of building a Grancrete house here in Ventura County, Southern California. The local building department will probably be resistant to this new way. Can you suggest how I might help them to see the light? Where is the best source for styrofoam? The cheapest, most irregular-surfaced kind is also the best for adhesion of the crete.
Joseph Gilbert (805) 646-7686
I am a builder in Southampton, NY. Last November I spoke on the phone with Jim Paul, the co-developer of Grancrete. Here are some things I recall from our conversation that you may find helpful.
- Grancrete thermochemically bonds to styrofoam. The bond is stronger than the styrofoam itself, and a low density foam is preferable to high density. Being that it is a chemical bond, I doubt that an irregular surface would provide any advantage.
- Jim Paul’s comapany, Casa Grande, was still refining the design of the modified shotcrete pump required to apply Grancrete. The cost of this pump might be $20,000 to $25,000.
- Casa Grande was going to attempt to obtain building code approval for Grancrete in Dade County, Florida. Apparently this building code is among the strictest in the country.
Jim promised he would contact me when a public demonstration was scheduled, but I have not yet heard from him. Back in October and November there was a flurry of news releases about Grancrete because of the award, but since then I have not been able to find any additional hard info, and I do a Highbeam web search daily. I think that Grancrete, combined with specially designed SIPs or ICFs, could be the biggest innovation in residential building since dimensional stud framing was developed.
If you have not already done so, check out Structural Insulated Panels, or Insulated Concrete Forms to locate a source for structural styrofoam. I visited a website a few months ago that gave a very detailed description of building a floating dock using very large blocks of styrofoam that were custom made at a nearby styrofoam plant. I recall that this was somewhere in Maine. Maybe there is such a facility in Ventura County.
Thank you Jeff for stepping in with some great references. I hope the last comment helps out Joseph. Sorry I can’t help much. Please send me images of the house. I’m very interested in seeing how people are using the properties Grancrete to their advantage.
I would very much like to be kept up to date on the progress of this new building system. I live in GA and would like to participate in any testing or construction projects that may be needed in the future. I’m a licensed contractor in CA, and also in GA.
Joseph or Jeff,
Any more info either of you come up with please share. I will do the same.
I e-mailed popular science as they recently ran an article on Grancrete.
Not a whole lot more info to go off of as of right now.
Brad G. brad_grandorff@removethis.yahoo.com
727-644-5516
To Jim Paul:
Please let me know when and wheree you will have a demonistration of the Grancrete construction.
I am in remodeling and construction in Southern and Central Ohio, and am very interested in your Grancrete construction process.
Please contact me when you have a demonistration or model available.
Vic Luneborg
8470 Wright Rd.
Hillsboro, OH 45133
(o) 937-840-9825
(f) 937-840-9826
(c) 937-402-7553
Interesting stuff. Would like to keep up with the development and demonstrations.
I am interested in getting a franchise for Grancrete and I was wondering if this is possible at this time and what would be the investment consist of here in the Midwest. I look forward to your answer.
Sincerely,
Hugh L. Richardson
hugh@airtowater.com
This development is very exciting and might prove to be the ultimate solution the world has needed for so very long. It’s interesting that the Grancrete site is emphasizing the 3rd World nature of their product. They will experience great pressures due to the radical advance that has the potential to revolutionize the building industry in the USA. I’ll be watching developments with intense interest!
I have been looking at the Aerated Autoclaved Concrete blocks for a building material in Wisconsin, but this material also sounds interesting. I ran a yellow pages search of Mechanicsville, VA and it does not list Casa Grande LLC. Is this business still functioning? How can I contact the firm?
Grancrete sounds VERY interesting.
I just got off the phone with Jim Paul. He said that he expects to have a manufacturing plant up and running by the middle of next month, at which time he will license some large construction firms in his area (Virginia, Maryland) to use Grancrete. Any projects that these firms use Grancrete on will serve as the demo. He also said that the design of the pump/sprayer is nearly complete – they are still refining the nozzle and hose. A new development, which maybe is mentioned in the Popular Science article, is the ability to apply Grancrete by hand trowel. Previously it was thought that this product set up too fast, but I guess they have somehow worked that out. I did not ask about building code approval, but seeing as they expect to started building with Grancrete, I’;; assume they have made headway with that.
What about remodeling an existing grancrete home? Will you be able to cut into the wall to add an electrical line or plumbing fixture?
Will Grancrete work as a foundation for a conventional house? It seems a styrafoam frame covered with Grancrete would provide a great foundation system for a stick built home. Please advise.
A very interesting new concept in low cost housing. I would be interested in franchise possibilities for Mecico
At $10 a square foot, I would love to build a spec house out of this stuff, who do I need to call; I finance home builders in Houston, TX and I am sure I can talk one of my builders in to doing this for me.
I am interested in being a dealer and useing the product in my const. company.
I would like to know when this would be available to buy for construction work. Information about a dealer distribution for Idaho & Eastern Oregon, would be appreciated as well. Thanks
hello everone,
we’re people providing solutions, struggling with termite infestation and high wind and rain, in louisiana…..switching to steel frrame….
if the construction equipment is portable and fairly non-location restricted, remote industrial comm, analytical, metering/measurement, power and storage bldg. capability
the realty high cost bubble, needs bursting….
504-398-3431
The product sounds great! I saw an article in this months Popular Science.
Would be interested in a franchine or dealer opportunity.
After reading the article in Popular Science, I attempted to perform additional research. Not much more out there, but the concept/product is worth embracing. I would gladly agree to the build of a model using Grancrete provided it gets past the Dade Co, FL process.
Ok, I’m excited.. I am an ICF builder in the Phoenix valley, this sounds like it could be the missing link to a perfect union of an ICF and concrete (substitute) system! Is there a training/distributor list yet? Good job guys!
Crosspointe Construction LLC
480.797.5763
I’m very interested in this product. When it is available, could you email me the information on purchasing. I work for an electrical and hvac contractor, would like to know r-values, recommendd approach to running electric in walls, etc. Looks awesome.
p.s. – Looks like a great alternative to custom sheds . . .
I have some builders that are wanting to build a concrete house. This would be a better way to go! Interested in a low-E building and storm proof. Can colors be mixed in with Grancrete? When will Grancrete and pump be ready?
I am a licensed General Contractor and Construction Engineer. I am interested in becoming a franchisee and using this product. I have the same questions as per above: More information!!
Dallas Thompson, Calif Lic #344256
140 S Dolliver #20
Pismo Beach, Ca 93449
I’m very interested in Grancrete. Will Grancrete work as on grade foundation and slab for a ICF house?
I would like to know when this would be available for home construction work, as we are building in TN and would like to participate in any testing or construction projects.
Read that Casa Grande LLC of Mechanicsville, VA was going to attempt to obtain building code approval for Grancrete in Dade County, Florida. What is the latest on obtaining Dade County, FL approval ?
Grancrete seems to me to be a very interesting product, and could be a ideal material for Dome home construction. Can this material also be used in boat hull construction, and if not, why not?
This stuff sounds great! Would love to find out more …
Thanks
Let me offer some further information and observations.
I doubt that anyone who is authorized to offer a Grancrete license or franchise is reading this blog. Jim Paul and his company Casa Grande expect to be making their product available by mid-May, and they also plan to have a web site operational in the near future.
A bag of Grancrete might cost about $23. One bag plus an equal part of sand will cover 20 sq. ft. at the recommended thickness of 1/2″. It can be applied at that thickness directly to the styrofoam substrate in one step, either by hand trowel or sprayer. It can be colored and a wide range of textures are possible – you can make your own unglazed tiles, possibly with a glass smooth finish. (Salmon colored Grancrete stucco walls and homemade terracota Grancrete roof tiles for that Tuscan look!)
The Grancrete to styrofoam bond is thermochemical, so there should be no problem with water or moisture getting in between the two materials because the two materials become joined as one. It is also claimed that Grancrete (over stryofoam) needs no reinforcement, will not crack, and cold joints need no special treatment – the bond at a cold joint is equally as strong as anywhere else, and if subsequent batches are mixed exactly the same the joint should also be invisible. As far as I can see, this product overcomes some major problems with other stucco systems, whether cementious or synthetic, at a lower finished cost.
I believe that Old World building styles offer some very attractive options for using stucco over a modern system like ICF. With some creativity and ingenuity it may very well be possible to create with Grancrete an authentic Tuscan or Spanish Colonial flavor for the same price as a Neo-victorian covered in Hardiplank. Further combined with a building process such as that advocated by the architect Christopher Alexander, it could just simply revolutionize the way we build, and the way our buildings look and feel! (Please pardon this “blue sky” stuff.)
My background is carpentry and woodworking, so I do not know if Grancrete can cost effectively replace concrete in all situations. I have only had a few brief conversations with Jim Paul, and we did not get into discussing Grancrete for slabs, foundations, etc. We did discuss using it to fill an ICF wall. It might be the way to go in a waffle grid type of ICF, especially if you’re already set up with the mixer/pump on site to spray the walls. It’s my hope that Grancrete would not need rebar in an ICF wall, but that is only speculation on my part.
One possibility that I find especially attractive would be to create sprayed in place Structural Insulated Panels. This is essentially what Argonne National Lab is describing at their website, but given how long it has taken some local building departments, such as mine, to accept SIPs as stand alone components for exterior, load bearing walls, it might be awhile before we can get a building permit to stand up some styrofoam panels and spray on Grancrete.
I’m interested in purchasing a franchise for Montana (or elsewhere). Ready to move from selling dirt to selling something that will bring construction costs down. Would like to see a demo, or a DVD. With my marketing background, I would also be interested in representing Grancrete for your company. Any interest?
TC
tcook@centric.net
I am interested in using Grancrete in Minnesota. I can think of a few other application than what I have read and would enjoy discussing the possibilities with you.
Home # 218 435 6378
Cell # 612 360 7049
I would be interested in building a spec home. I have a lot and an architect who would be willing to give it a go. the location would be in the Capital District of NY. If the price points are accurate it could help with real affordable housing. When available please advise.
Interested in investment
As Jeff had mentioned, I too find the possibility of placing Styrofoam and spraying on Grancrete to build structures without any secondary support quite enticing. This would mean the long awaited merging of skin and structure would bring a whole new language of form from the digital realm to reality.
NIO‘s Amazing Whale Jaw gives a little taste of what could be done. Their bus shelter outside Amsterdam is built with polyester skin over CNC cut polystyrene foam. more. . .
To Jim Paul,
We are very interested in your product for the Mexican Market, we can offer great market oportunities for your product nationwide.
How can we get in touch with you? Can we get more information on Grancrete?
Eugenio Riojas
(52)55 18493143 Mexico City.
As the rest of you, I am also interested in this product. This may unlock the doors for a lot of people to obtain affordable housing
Gary Lewis
We want to distribute your product.We are an affiliate of GE and have 200 salesmen selling building materials already.
Can you contact me directly at 310 454 0544 or office 323 581 5200
Ike
President
Love too get more info.
Pls see some Alsa products today at 1PM on HGTV
FX Sheeting from The Alsa Corporation
Metal that handles like paper
Ike Banoun
President
My email is logic368@gmail.com. We need builders to build a grancrete home for us. Any information on builders for this material? When will the grancrete website be up?
would love to get any more info on this product or distributership–thanks–pete
Please keep me updated on any new info to this product. Very Interesting!
Brad
Carl Junction, MO
Please keep me informed on the status of this product in relationship to building permits approved to use it for residential purposes. Also more details on foundation/load bearing walls would bw good.
Steve
SC
This sounds too good to be true. I’m in the concrete industry and would like to learn more about grancrete. Whats the workability like? Whats the recemended slump? How can it be delivered in bulk? Is there retarder admix? Anything or everything about this product would be great. I’m an entrepreneur from Connecticut interested in a business opportunity.
I’m very interested please let me know if there will any thing cost to the bay area (California) in the future. Have any attemps been made to see if this process will make past buildong codes?
I READ THE ARTICLE AND AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PRODUCT WOULD LIKE INFO WHEN AVAILABLE (NORTHRIDGE, CA )
REGARDS
TOM
I am a small contractor in the Charlotte, NC area.
The reply by Jeff Flanagan above said a $23 bag might cover 20 sq ft. of one side of wall. This gives a cost of about $1.15/sq ft for one side of wall, or about $2.30/sq ft just for the grancrete for walls only. If you have a 30′ x 40′ house with 8′ high walls (140 linear feet) and an equal amount of interior walls (140 lin ft), you would have 280 lin ft x 8′ = 2240 sq ft of wall. The cost of only the grancrete for the walls would be $2.30 x 2240 = $5152. This does not include styrofoam, labor (maybe union labor), equipment, floor, roof, landscaping, paint, finish, doors, windows, wiring, plumbing, HVAC, land, insurance, financing, permits, etc, and the details and mistakes involved in working with a new material. For a house to cost only $10/sq ft as the article in Pop Sci, a 1200 sq ft house would cost $12,000. It looks like from the above wall estimate that the cost for the grancrete and styrofoam wall materials alone might cost $12,000.
Building such a house in the US might actually cost more than $150/sq ft.
In undevoped countries with free labor and land and goverment subsidies, (and maybe US aid), a house with no wiring or heat or plumbing could be built for $10/sq ft, but maybe so could a stick built house.
I’d like to see more details before getting too excited about it.
Best wishes.
I’m very interested to know if this Co. is public (for investment) and if they have gotten building code aproval. I am also a contractor and am interested in applying this to commercial buildings as well as residential. As above Mr. Harmon is correct, there is much information needed to round out the cost of using this product before we get much further, but it really looks promissing and would like any information from the company or Mr. Paul as soon as possible.
I spoke with Jim Paul this morning, and asked him about posting his contact info here.
He suggested that I just let you all know that he will have a web site available within the next three weeks, and the address is to be grancrete.net.
I also inquired about building code approvals. He said they have been approvedl in other countries, but nothing here in the US yet. He mentioned he was still specifically focused on getting approval in Dade County FL.
It seems that the plan now is to release the product and let those of us who are willing to experiment with it try and get local building code approvals. Oi!
Although the road ahead for Grancrete seems murky, and it is not as cheap as it first appeared to be (thank you Tommy Harmon), I personally hold a lot of hope for it. We really need something like this.
I hope we can all gather again at GRANCRETE,NET!
Sincerely,
Jeff
ICF manufacturer’s rep. interested in Grancrete distribution for Canada.
I’m very interested in this material as a exterior and interior coating for a geodesic dome structure. Would be very interested in test results and building permit success for Dade County, FL. How does material hold up to moisture? Does it change properties if in standing water? More information on application equipment would be very helpful as well.
Facinating stuff. Would like to know how well this material can be shaped or shelled. Am interested in constructing a swimming pool made of Grancrete.
Karl Arend
karlcecilea@aol.com
Denison, TX
Buildings are one thing (and a very GOOD thing) but I’m thinking this product will likely impact an number of other industries as well.
You have to wonder how much a 1″ x (12″x12″) square of this stuff will weigh once it’s cured? (1″ = 2 sides @ 1/2″ minimum thickness per). And, how thin can the mess or foam substraight be?
This will be fun to watch, play and experiment with.
…who knows!
what is the life expectancy for this product …the pantheon in rome is only 200 psi cpncrete and it has stood for 1800 years or so …does this product have simular rates of deteration , or does this materal have any side affects for contact with other materals…. thanks
To Joseph Gilbert
A good place to further research EPS that might work well with Grancrete is http://geofoam.syr.edu/GRC_AboutGRC.asp
Tell me more! I am a Realtor in the DFW area and would love to be able to offer affordable housing that would appreciate in value instead of just wearing out and depreciating. Feel free to email any additional info to themetroplexrealtor@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
John
I have a dome house in N. Tex that is leaking terribly. It has a spray on foam insulation, would Grancrete bond with it? Must know more now!
Is Jim Paul still looking for a web designer or a web hosting company? I offer a great service with a 99.98% guaranteed website uptime (thats both server AND network), something no other web host offers. I would be interested in helping him out with both of these services, though it sounds like with all the hype he might need a dedicated server! Could you have him contact me Jeff Flanagan? – webmaster@tadevelopers.com – Thanks!
I am an architect in University Place, Washington, USA
Very interesting and promising material/system. I will be interesting to see how this developes. It would also exciting to take part in it’s evolution.
I’m wondering what the physical properties of the material are. What is the compressive strength, strength in tension–there seems to be some question as to whether it needs reinforcement like concrete.
I am 15 years old, I heard about Grancrete in the Popular Science magazine. My family is in the process of moving to Washington state. We will be building a house on our own. We haven’t seen a lot of houses out there with basements, but my parents find it necessary to have one. How well would Grancrete work for a basement/foundation under a house. It rains quite a bit out there, will that be a problem? My dad is a building official and is quite busy so I’m looking into it for him.
tdsmith84@sbcglobal.net
The article in Popular Science is quite interesting. I do a lot of home improvements and have always wanted to know of a better way to put up inexpensive buildings. What I have read so far about Grancrete is very promising, not only in building better houses, but also much, much cheaper ones. Houses here in California are so stratospheric that something like this can bring the costs down to where more people can afford it. I am not a contractor, but have some money to want to invest in something like this. Can this material be used instead of gunnite for swimming pools?
hi!
my name is Peter, I heard about Grancrete in the Popular Science magazine, and I would like to get involved in selling Grancrete in New Hampshite or/and Maine. Please, could you let me know what should I do to get involved? thank you.
Peter
Peter_peter_NH@Yahoo.com
Rather funny… from all these comments you might get the impression that:
1. this is grancrete’s website. The dude’s probably never even been here, so stop being stupid posting your personal contact information here – wait until his official website comes online at grancrete.net, then go contact him there.
2. from nearly every interview of this inventor that I have read, he gives the impression that he is more interested in providing housing for the third-world than making tons of money… but most of you posting here seem to be slobbering over this as a way to make tons of money. I am sure there will be plenty of chances to franchise this and that, but I suspect you are wasting your time trying to entice this man to call you “as soon as possible!” because you would like to make a lot of money investing or franchising or selling or hosting his website, whatever. Sheesh, how ’bout you post ideas on how you can help fund a non-profit organization to bring this material to those who need it first? Oh, wait, that wouldn’t make you any money… Nevermind!
Here’s an idea, how about each of you that want to sell or distribute or build with grancrete, promise to build 2 houses for every one you get paid for, and then donate the extra one to Habitat for Humanity. That kind of proposal to Jim might get his attention sooner than “We want to distribute your product. We are [some big name] and have 200 salesmen … ” and we can make lots and lots and lots of money for us both!
Jim, please excuse my fellow Americans of their greed. I hope you can stay focused on changing the Third World before you tackle the retirement homes in Florida.
the funny clown prefers housing terrorists for free, rather the entrepenuer continuing success, inline with the rest of the free world. what an idiot….
Hi
Does someone know how I can get in touch with Jim Paul?
Please email me at jkamens@anndorll.com
Thanks
Josh
There is a better alternative that will shortly be approved by ICC. Home underconstruction in AZ utilzing this GFRC/EPS combination SOLD before it was completely under roof.
Tom
I spoke to ChemCrest who makes GFRC. EPS has been discontinued.
They said it isnt used to build a house like Grancrete.
Joshua,
On the contrary, this material is one of the main components utilized in this construction technology. Let me know if you need additional details. Tom
Tom
I would love more info
My email is jkamens@anndorll.com
Josh
What is GFRC? Also, I can no longer resist saying this – Jim Paul is in the White Pages under “Jim Paul”.
Hey “Fuul”:
There’s nothing greedy about jumping on an opportunity. It’s pretty arrogant of you to assume that businesses and entrepreneurs never donate their time or money. And guess what, “Fuul”, without profits theirs nothing left over to donate to the less fortunate.
How much time and money have you ever donated you liberal dope….
Does anyone know if Jim Paul checks this site?
If anyone speaks with him, can you ask him if he handles distribution rights overseas or is it done through Argonne Laboratories’ Tech Transfer department?
Thanks
Josh
Way to go Bill Hart. Glad to see you put profits where they belong.
After we feed and house ourselves and our families then we feed and house the poor.
Without profits there would be no charity.
Thanks again.
Vic Luneborg
ccfarm@cinci.rr.com
Am working on a coastal subdivision down here in the state of Michoacan Mexico and we would love to experiment with grancrete on the coconut fiber block walls that we plan to use for wall construction. Jim or whoever….please contact me. Our pacific coast subdivision will have approximately 25 one acre and 15 half acre lots…and our construction plans are to begin building in early October of 05. Please let me hear from you. Sincerely john h higgins
Would like to be kept informed as to the progress and the distribution of the grancrete line. Will there be any distributor areas open?
does grancrete come in an aerosol can of do you need to have a large device to apply it? whats the cheapest method of applying it?
very excited about grancrete and the possiblities (that are endless).
have an old metal frame for a small building (30×15) sitting on the property, which we will be using as our first experiment (need a studio). being an artist i’ve also been thinking about foam sculpture, and architectural details sprayed in grancrete. i also work in construction (currently metal buildings)…it makes me laugh every time i think about working with styrofoam vs. metal!
i fell in love with strawbale construction over five years ago. i loved it’s natural simplicity & the idea that “anyone” could build their own home (like lego)…this is even better!!! people can start with small projects like dog houses, sheds, & garages to build up there confidence, and then the sky is the limit.
i keep thinking about disney world…everything there is made out of foam. it gives a great range of ideas. the wonderful thing about styrofoam is it’s easy to make it look like anything…wood, beams, stone, etc…with nothing more than a utility knife and a rasp…you can create a hobbit home or a castle.
it’s frustating now with so little info online, but i can’t wait to watch it explode, and see the pic’s of everyones work! this is going to be fun!!!
p.s. i also like the fact that it’s affordable. there’s so much cut out by the system…no facade, insulation, drywall, and little framing. no load from a roof, etc. it’s brillant!
Kim,
I very much enjoyed your comments – I too am fascinated by the architectural illusion that is Disneyworld, and I am eagerly looking forward to working with Grancrete and seeing what others can do with it as well. I don’t know if you have read some of the previous comments here, but it was pointed out that Grancrete will not be nearly as cheap as Argonne’s press releases indicate, so the cost of it may limit its applications.
In my area (Southampton NY) construction costs for a conventionally wood framed residence run around $130 – $150 sq.ft. A prefab home of comparable quality and size goes for about $100 sq.ft. I’m hoping that foam and Grancrete will enable me to compete with the prefab system, while providing greater energy efficiency and design flexibility.
Geofoam, a type of low density EPS that comes in very large sizes might work very well with Grancrete. It is currently used in highway construction and similar projects. Right now I’m wondering if Grancrete will adhere to polyurethane foam as well as it does to EPS. I have not yet compared the costs/properities of polyurethane and EPS, but the polyurethane can be sprayed in place as well as cast in a small shop with a relatively small investment in equipment. There is even a company that markets a polyurethane made from soybeans! That is seriously Green. With polyurethane one could make one’s own ICF blocks, and maybe even cost effectively create custom shapes and sizes.
For those who would like to build houses with concrete. I know of a wall and roof system call Tridipanel. If you like more information write me at pjcad1@msn.com
I am a builder in the Omaha, NE area and would very much like more information regarding Grancrete as soon as it’s available.
Folks,
I appreciate the enthusiasim regarding Grancrete but if it is as good as you all believe it to be/hope to be, then why has this technology not taken off over the past year??? It appears that this may be more wishfull thinking than reality???
Tom,
Grancrete is not yet on the market, and until Argonne National Lab received an R&D award for it about seven months ago, the general public had never heard of it.
Hello:
I’d be interested in putting up houses in WI and FL using this technology, when it becomes available.
Thanks,
Don Steger
608 335 5290
ya know even if this stuff ends up costing the same as regular wood framed housing wouldn’t it be worth it for the ease of application and the fire resistance and the fact that you are saving the 44 trees that are harvested just to frame the average new home (2080 sqft). That figure doesn’t include the roof or any decks or the cabinets.
Am interested in a distributorship when this innovation is ready after the tests scheduled. Am in the central northern area of Ohio, would like to export it to Hawai’i as well (termite problem).
I work with homeless in dallas tx. I also have proporty that could be utilized for low cost housing for the most disinfranchised citizens. Housing needs for minimum wage earners is not available. Please contact me as your enterprise matures
thanks
Is it possible to invest in your company at this time?
I am interesting in possibly investing in/stock purchases of Grancrete.
I am interested in grancrete from an investment standpoint. Franchise information, equipment purchases, stocks, etc… Further information and details of how serious investors could capitalize on this invention would be welcomed.
i am iterested in grancrete an investmeent in prod. DOORS.
The cost of a building is not in the walls . It is the cost of permits , land . elect , plumbing , etc. . I live in southern California , my home is valued at $700,000 (1800 sq ft), the walls are 2×4 covered with tar paper ,1 layer of chickenwire & spayed on stucco. no sheathing at all.The interior is 1/2 ” drywall .Even at todays prices that is less then 50 cents a square foot. most of the labor here is imported & inexpensive.
I think Grancrete is a grand idea , but its value is in energy savings , and ease of use , not material costs .
There are many good foam panel systems out there like tridipanel.com , solarcrete.com , monotech.com etc. . There are also concrete sprayers.that can be rented . I’m developing one that should cost less than $300 plus the cost of a mixer & air compressor .
Rdr5@adelphia.net
I am very interested in grancrete and would like to be advised of any dealer opportunites or to be advised as the where I can buy grancrete to do my own experiments.
I am a builder in Montana and think it would be a great product due to its potential insulation advantages.
I’m ready to get started on an experimental house, Just let me know how to get involved.
People!
Clue one. 1/2′ coat on two sides of styrofoam. How much weight do you think that’s going to handle? Answer: A styrofoam roof with two 1/2″ coats of grancrete.
Clue two: having difficulty with application process?
With all the spotcrete and blown crete products available, there should be some basic tech unless there’s some specific, undescribed feature that prevents using the developed tools.
OK, so the grancrete bonds chemically with the styrofoam, is it actually required? Or is it ok to blow onto rocksheet as a finish?
there are many applications waiting to test this material and yet the owners are either dragging their feet or have some notion that this material is so revolutionary that the can’t trust anyone to help them commercialize it without getting screwed out of the perceived billions it is worth….
Or maybe a serious flaw was discovered in testing…
P.S. – for Bill Hart
Entrepreneurship is more respectable when the drooling over middleman profits aren’t so obvious. Show some real value add if you don’t want to be perceived as a money-grubbing capitalist bloodsucker. Why should I consider your charitable donations to be any more insightful or useful than anyone else’s? Fuul has the right idea if not a feasible execution. Americans are globally notorious for their lack of respectable business manners and boy won’t that just suck when China decides to forclose on us. You think Russia had it bad when their gov’t collapsed? Their people didn’t have guns in every other home….
I am curious about this product as well. Working in Architecture in Arizona, everything new here is foam and stucco anyhow. All greedy American comments considered, how do you think they will finance the costs to build in impoverished areas? Only the greedy Americans who make money in the first place will be able to donate and support this project. Sorry but its true.
Back to my origional thoughts here though, I wonder how this would work for the 3rd world if you applied preformed Igloo shapes or Nautilus shell type forms instead of flat pannels? These could stack for shipping or be formed on site with a few forms and a basic foam spray system. With the extended entrance you could eliminate the NEED for a standard door. I would like to point out that a fire pit and smoke hole will also be a probable requirment too in 3rd would application. How fire resistant is the matierial? Will prolonged flame exposure melt the foam INSIDE the wall? I look forward to when this becomes an available product and seeing what it is really capable of.
I realise this is not their web site, but it seems to be a good sounding board for people interested in seeing this product make its debut.
Plse onpass this message to Mr Jim Paul.
Dear Mr Paul,
This may be a case of “synchronicity”.
As I see it, your invention (Grancrete) was developed in 2004. Hurricane Ivan, which devastated the island of Grenada, where I have been living for 19 years, also happened in 2004 (7th September). It left this paradise of an island looking like a war zone. Much help is coming on stream but people’s housing is still the main priority and the next “hurricane season” is virtually upon us.
Unlike the much more tragic Indian Ocean tsunami of 26th December 2004 (which claimed many more lives) , our disaster devastated the entire island, including its infrastructurre and, more specifically, around 85% of its homes. Whereas the Indiain Ocean countries affected by the tsunami (which affected the peripheral ocean fronted communities , our hurricane wrecked an entire country’s infrastructure. Government buildings, schools, hospitals, fire departments, precious heritage assets, churches – all were affected buy this exceptional Category Five hurricane.
Please let me have your telephone number so I can call you and suggest a mutually beneficient approach which could provide much relevant publicity for your product and much needed, privately funded, support for our island. I am sure that in the fullness of time, your efforts wiht the UN will meet with acknowledgement and maybe even support but our need is timed as of NOW and privately funded initiatives are what we need at this time.
With good wishes,
John E Albanie
This a fasinating product. We are developers in Atlanta and I’m curious about it’s artistic design opportunities as well as it’s structural properties. Does anyone know how the tests are going and when production begins?
B”H
Any trials of grancrete plus foam in desert climates?
Like everyone else, I want more information. Want to build in Davie, Fl. so strength to withstand hurricanes is a must and insulation from sun is very important.
Have you ever considered that you can try to make Grancrete by yourself?
Get the ingrediëns try to make it. The inventors claims that it is simple.
Making it is for free as long you don’t try to sell it.
But may it is just a HOAX.
Greetings: Steven from Holland
What type of ductility are we talking here? From the article, if this stuff definetley does deal with ceramic polymers, this will make the structure of this grandcrete itself very very brittle… furthermore, even if it has the compressive strenght of “cement”, i doubt it could ever achieve the compressive strenght of even the worst portland cement concrete mix for one very simple reasons… IT HAS NO AGGRIGATES IN IT! If you look the structure of styrofoam, the air void content is quite simply way too much for a good compressive mix. Dont even get me started on finding practical ways to adequetley reinforce it with tension steel… the only way i see that happening is pouring the styrofoam while spraying this miracle polymer stuff on to have a good bond between the steel and concrete, which is so damn impractical it’s not even funny… I can see this only as a way to maybe replace expensive insulation or a lazy way out of building a concrete canoe… but load berring capacity… forget about it!!!
Dr. V Commyrove, structural civil engineering, U of Chicago
I find it interesting to read the posts, we have the first group interested in their personal enrichment (which I support wholeheartedly) and the second group scolding the “doers” of our country for not blindly following their “do-goodism” desires.
I know our “capitalists” have the ability, ingenuity and willingness to use this product in ways that will amaze us. I believe if they chose not to get involved and instead said to you ‘do gooders’, “Call us when you have everything figured out, the flaws eliminated and you have finished saving the world by building them houses with this stuff and then we’ll start working on getting rich on it” that NOTHING would ever happen. Sooo….
Just because this IS an open forum, I’d like to propose a challenge: Do Gooders, please propose a FEASIBLE project here in the states, rally your troops around it, mobilize your entire “save the planet” commrades, and lay out a noble and achievable goal. Post it here and then encourage these evil capitalists to take the idea improve it and take it to fruition. All the while, staying involved in the process so that the end result is something y’all can support.
We’ll wait while you come up with the post that generates that really good idea.
While we wait for that to materialize, please don’t harangue us on our desire to go and and change the world where we live, making it a better place for those we serve and making a buck in the process.
I’m involved with a group who is trying to establish an ecovillage on an island in southwest British Columbia, Canada.
Unfortunately, “BC” stands for “bring cash”. Land is horribly expensive here, and we’re struggling with ways we can deal with market-driven land prices by using free labor and local or recycled materials to do development.
A major goal of our group is to provide low-cost, sustainable housing for local people, since local islanders are forced out of their own homes by part-year tourists and “MacMansion” builders and their hobby farms.
So consider this an opportunity for the “capitalists” to get together with the “do gooders”. We’re looking for people with about half the value of an average North American suburban house to put into this project, which will secure a site for doing all sorts of sustainable, alternative building techniques, including cob, straw bale, and hopefully, grancrete.
Do you have a styrofoam/grancrete builder in S.W. South Carolina that would be willing to look at some plans for construction? Thanks, drmac
What are the material properties for Grancrete? Does this material behave in a manner consistent with concrete i.e. compressive loads, low tensile strength, weight curing properties etc.? Could you forward any test data? Does it permit layering and does this increase in thickness increase its performance? Is it biased toward thin shell construction?
Thank you
I manufacture CNC and manual hotwire machines used to cut foam and would like to be of help if I can.
I would like to see more information. When will the production start?
Our cost of finished concrete block houses is about $20 per sq. feet here.
Our company is interested in marketing this material/technology in East Africa.
Peter Arno, you’re comment on concrete block houses @ $20/s.f. caught my eye. Where are you? (I see that you want to market the material/technology in East Africa so you must be located there.)
I designed a house here in the Puget Sound, near Seattle, WA, USA, with a concrete block daylight basement. The builders here wouldn’t budge below their $100/s.f. for that. The upper floor was wood frame and they wanted even more–$120+.
Did you read all of the other posts here? It doesn’t look like this is the panacea for all building cost problems. Probably the spray equipment costs and the styrofoam costs would be big for you there.
Has anyone seen any comparison information on similar products such as Litracon or Dryvit? (the latter is getting a lot of press on application problems & moisture)
A chart perhaps with columns comparing price, weight, tensile strength, construction prep & installation time etc would be great.
Color me skeptical, but as excited as I am about this new technology, is it too good be true?
For Example; Popular Science was touting it last mo. at $10/sq ft. Is it going up already before it hits the market?
This is very similar to a patented system that I found on the web in January. Looks exactly the same comparing the sites.
http://www.monotech.com
Thoughts?
Grancrete.net is now available.
Thanks Jeff.
Link. [Grancrete.net]
Where , and cost of Grancrete
i can’t find this silly website. what did it say?
Please contact me with any information on upcoming demonstrations and how to purchase these materials. I am Amazed with the idea of afordable homes for people, and cant even start to imagine the creative(forming) side of the styrofoam. I’m curious if these structures are able to go up two or more stories? Please contact me it will be very appreciated.
Paul (310) 908-7726 pauloak76@msn.com
I,ve read all the comments so far—most people do need to do more datas mining. as the matrix in a composite”grancrete probably is a vary good product. I can see some vary good applications for this product–you’ve only scratched the surface—I’m not mentioning any more since the hungry capitalists are listening. I’m interested to keep myself from being disenfranchised. The capitalisted are busy taking “everything from me that I’ve spent thirty odd years building—you are not taking any more!!!!!
P.S. the “commune thing in B.C. sounds intertesting—I’d like to take the technology to the third world–but they don’t like americans. Just the money.
Thanx for reading a disabled note.
a soon to be extinct breed.
kragbron
kragborn wrote: “P.S. the “commune thing in B.C. sounds intertesting—I’d like to take the technology to the third world–but they don’t like americans.”
Well, let’s get started, then! We’re negotiating the purchase of a lovely 70 acre site with a stream that was running about 100kW the day we measured it.
More at the [url=http://www.IslandSeeds.org]SEEDS[/url] website.
More at the SEEDS website.
(Ugh. No BBCode, no HTML, no obvious instructions on the page — how do you put links on here?)
Ah, HTML works, it just doesn’t show up in the preview. (What good is such a preview?
is this product on the market?
The codes for storage sheds is a bit less restrictive than for house .
Potable units would be interesting to develop.
Potable? You gonna make a teapot like Tacoma’s Java Jive? Only a plumber would try that. Maybe you mean “portable”. ;>) dh
Who knows how to purchase the spray equipment? I hear their like $20,000 to $30,000. Doesn’t sound right to me. Hey Jon Steinmen if I purchase all the Equipment and Materials lets build some custum homes in B.C.
Paul Mells wrote: “Hey Jon Steinmen if I purchase all the Equipment and Materials lets build some custum homes in B.C.”
You’re on! When do you want to get started?
Just wanted to add my two cents about this wonderful product called Grancrete. Seems to me that if they designed the structures based on Buckminster R. Fuller’s Geodesic Domes they could then have a hurricane/earthquake proof home. Aluminum struts could be used to hold the styrofoam in place while the Grancrete is sprayed on. Also the styrofoam can be had cheap if not for free from your local spa store. Those spa covers are made from it and they usually have problems dumping the old covers at the local landfills. Grancrete might solve another problem by using up the excess styrofoam found in these landfills.
Anyone who would like to work on a eco-project we are building close to Chetumal Mexico who has experance working with the soy polymers or this type of materals . This project will be built from recycled products,plastic and foam and maybe some grancrete if the cost is no tto much for shipping.
This project will be the poto type for severalother project we have planned.
please contact me at ecodoc8@fastmail.fm
Someone was asking for a proposal that would simultaneously please those inclined to assist in areas of less fortunate housing circumstances as well as provide new opportunities to improve construction among the more fortunate. Consider this:
Grancrete’s probable strong points:
A. Bonds well to EPS
B. Stable in wide ranges of environments
C. Lower cost, simple application
D. Permanent, low maintenance
E. Fire barrier characteristics
It seems that since grancrete may excel to a lesser degree over concrete as a load bearing material and exhibits all the characteristics of a great coating, perhaps we would get more mileage if we purposely select equally innovative structures to amplify its true character.
My proposal is to test grancrete on a structure we designed originally for humanitarian purposes but who’s technological concepts will quickly find plenty of structure applications in more developed countries including their housing markets.
The first structure we propose for grancrete is what we affectionately call “The Roundcastle Dome� (also now exists in oval and other shapes)
We can’t find much of anything ordinary about the two story Roundcastle Dome. Its Computer driven CNC cut Baltic Birch internal plywood frame is filled with hot-wire cut styro-foam panels, both of which are high speed processes and material that already exist in most larger cities around the globe. All the openings created by the frame from top to bottom are filled with EPS, that stuff that grancrete likes. Since the 3d equal vector load distribution frame with ultra strong patented vertex connectors offer incredible structural substance and no span exceeds 4 ft., its likely that only 1/4 inch coating or less will be ample in most applications. Most of the “hot wire cutâ€? EPS panels filling the frame are 4 ft.x 4ft. squares, an unusual event in geodesic shape purposely designed to accommodate lots of window door and internal petitioning options. 4 ft. x 4ft. x 4″ panels are a 100% efficient use of the foam on 60% of its surface area,. The other 40% is a 95%+ efficient use in a cutting layout for the mosaic of polygon panels that complete the structures covering. Additionally this shape easily stretches to any length in 4 ft increments, width changes in 4 ft increments and other shape variations with minor CNC programming and no additional vertex connector tooling costs. For lower cost structures perhaps covering the frame with wire mesh, a polyester scrim or even fabric with grancrete may be sufficient.
Tools required:
A. A few hours, a cordless screwdriver and an 19 ft scaffold (Two stories) for the internal assembly of the frame
B. Bread knife to trim the Urethane foamed pie shaped slot joints bonding the EPS panels to frame struts they lock into.
C. Spray gun for grancrete
D. A forth grade education. (Optional roller skates for the 900 sq.ft. Available floor space)
If you want pictures and info and If you like the direction this is going perhaps we get some of that mystical grancrete material and we look for places to prove the proposition……….Russ Scott 801-604-4128 Scott2616@msn.com
I have been monitoring this site for the past four to six weeks and want to congratulate those of you who have taken time to contribute your insight and those of you who have shared your enthusiasm about this promising product known as Grancrete.
As you are probably aware, there have been a number of unsuccessful attempts over the past 15+ years to adhere a cementious-based material to polystyrene without the aid of additional “screen� or “rebar� support within or outside of the load bearing walls of the structure. In addition, one can only expect to face continued resistance from local building departments because none of these materials and/or technologies has been approved by a nationally recognized building code organization for use in habitable construction.
My friends, things are about to change and I challenged you to make a choice. You can choose to continue to envision the future or you can become an integral part in changing the future.
I have personally spoken to a number of you over the past week about a new product that will change the face and direction of both residential and non-inhabitable construction as we know it today.
Within the next four to six weeks, the first residential structure located in a master-planned subdivision utilizing this product will be unveiled to the public. Since this event will be limited to a handful of guests, I would like to extend an invitation to all of you who would like to see this residential unit and to learn more about how you could become directly involved in the future growth and profitability of this product.
If you have any interest, you will need to contact me at this email address so that I may forward you some additional questions, if necessary, and a Non-Disclosure Agreement for your review and execution. I will not be able to give you any further details about the date and location of the next event until the agreement has been signed.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Mr. Costello
You mention that there have been a number of unsuccessful attempts over the past 15+ years to adhere a cementious-based material to polystyrene.
Hasnt Monotech International based in Texas succeeded in doing this with a product that is better than Grancrete and already commercialized?
Josh
Mr. Costello,
What email address?
Tom Costello’s email address is advantageresourcegroup@hotmail.com
To Mr. T. Costello:
Please help me telling me if there’s a way to get this product.
We’re a construction company on Juarez Mex. (border with El Paso,TX) dedicated to build low cost housing and we’re interested on testing the product.
Unfortunatelly I’ve been trying to contact GRANCRETE Customer service even Mr. Jim Paul by E-mail, fax and also voice mail and I havn’t success.
I’ll really appreciate if you can help me on this matter.
Regards.
M.Loera
GRUPO YVASA
CD. Juarez, Chih. MEX.
Mr. Loera,
The product is not available for use or distribution by an unlicensed third party.
At this juncture, in order to expedite your request, you will need to become a licensee in order to use and/or apply this product.
Would like application for licensing to package in the Pacific Northwest.
I am interested in test data. I am familiar with the ASTM test methods for concrete. Has any one made cylinders and done compressive tests? Are there any ASTM test methods or standards that are specific to Grandcrete? Has any one made a beam and tested flexural strength? What about exposure and effects of UV light on the material. Freeze thaw cycle damage potential? Would air entrainment be a good thing or bad? Can light weight aggregates be used for roofing? Would be material perform well in a cast in place method like concrete? What is the modulus of the material like, similar or better than concrete? What is the expansion rate for Grandcrete? The only real estimate of material performance that I’ve read is “twice as strong as concrete” If the material isn’t the emperors new clothes, I would like to see ASTM standards established and what the performance of the material over time would be like. If the glass slipper fits, this will be a ball. If it doesn’t, we could all have pumpkin on our faces.
Though I’d add my 6d nails worth here. I’ve been building in 3rd world countries for over 16 years now. I’m currently in Nicaragua. This product seems more hype than fact right now. I took a look at Grancrete’s website and it does not seem to be a practical solution for myself down here. One of the lessons that I’ve learned as a non profit builder is that to not reinvent the wheel. (Now I’m only speaking about 3rd world building). I have always found that research and an eyeball for local building techniques works best. Usually the materials are available as well. Even 3rd world countries can make brick, rammed earth, ect. The question is, though, what can you do with it with some help from creativity.
All ex-pat builders have seen at least 100 “new, improved, cheaper” ways to build a home. Unfortunately they revolved more around money transfer scemes than actual money savings.
Paul
I am building a house out of an arched metal building. I am very interested in using the foam/grancrete process for the end walls. I am also wondering about spraying the building with foam on the outside and covering that with grancrete. Where can I keep up with the progress of Grancrete?
keith and all those others that wants to get involved, here is the official website. If one does their web homework, one will find products that are very similar to this one at lower costs.
http://www.grancrete.net/index_12.htm
Regarding Grancrete. No response from emails, no returned calls from voice mail, when I finally get Jim Paul on the phone all he says is “everything is on the website” (there is NOTHING on the website, and all Scott says via email is fill out a licensce application. I don’t think these guys are ready. Really need to get their customer service skills together. I am VERY skeptical so far, be careful.
Paul would you be more specific ?
“one will find products that are very similar to this one at lower costs.” Ive found many references , but no one actually willing to sell me some . I’d very greatfull for the info on where to purchase .
Thanks for your time
Ron rdr5@adelphia.net
TO STEVE:
TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME WITH THIS GUYS!!!!
IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I WANT TO GET SOME SAMPLES TO TEST OR EVALUATE BUT NOTHING HAPPENS.
To Ron…….. I am currently on a remote site so my answer will be brief. Somewhere on this page a fellow made reference to several products that I went and looked up. One firm is currently selling product in Texas. I think it was at monotech.com Now I will admit that all of these products do use cement as an ingredient, but all bind to foam cores and the Terxas company has a price sheet online.
Manuel and Steve…..As for the company being busy, you can imagine the number of calls from those looking for additional info. Just look at this site. heady days for someone that sees mega dollars ahead. Actually, I’m quite surprised that the head guy answers the phone.
If you watch the video that is on the site, it pretty much says it all if you know what you are watching. If you have never worked with SIP or foam core panels, then you will be wondering about such things as loads, wind, water, ect. Specs for foam core panels are offered by a number of sites on the web. There is a national organization devoted to it as the method is relatively new. Many providers are still looking for builders. I have a bin full of samples back in the states. I expect that Grancrete’s numbers will fall somewhere around everyone elses.
Since I am offshore, the product held interest until I worked the figures and discovered that it would run me 3-6 times more to build a home than using locally produced materials. (reference Jeff Flanagan
April 15th, 2005 at 3:15 pm and Tommy Harmon Contracting
April 18th, 2005 at 12:18 pm articles) I found the common theme was savings in labor costs. Since this is not a factor to me in my current location, it lacks appeal.
The pump used on the video looked like the same type used for shotcrete, so there’s one hell of a cost unless you can rent one.
Other variations of the theme are tridipanel.com , solarcrete.com
As for the $10 home, forget it unless your code allows for 3rd world style homes! LOL
Paul
Thank you everyone I’m moving and will am unable to keep rdr5@adelphia.net . If anyone wants to contact me they can thru Ron@ELECTRICMOTORWHEEL.COM
This blog has been interesting and educational . All of you individually and as a group created and own this (blog) Grancrete was the catalyst, but this can be made into something larger. weather Grancrete grows or withers. We should be more helpful and less cryptic, with each other, and Grancrete.
Obviously the $10 per foot house in the US is unrealistic , but the concept of geopolmer cement is a sound concept with many applications .
If this is to move forward we need to be more organized .
1/ those who want to invest should get togther and either find a formulation
a real supplier. Or find out what Grancrete needs to go forward . It coud as simple as a professional manager .
2/ Those who want to build with this need to organize and seriously investagate codes and structual realities. and share with each other.
3/ Those who want to investagate practical application technology ( this includes myself ) should push and support 1 & 2 to get going to drive this forward.
4/ to all the crackpots, and dreamers, keep needeling us (the boring practical ones) and presenting every goofy idea, because one of you will come up with a great idea.(maybe you already have) Or at least keep the rest of us entertained .
5/ As to Grancrete and thier inability to supply . Don’t be so hard on them, they are atempting to do a noble thing. Build affordable housing for the less fortunate. The press got a hold of this and distorted the facts and the hard realities were ignored inorder to create a better story. All this attention pushed a small company to far to fast . I don’t know any of these people, but I imagine they are doing the best they can with limited resources. The excessive publicity has made demands on them that would strain any new small company. They should be commended not condemed .
Well I better get off my soapbox before I stumble . I just want to thank each and everyone of you for your time and thoughts. This is a great idea, that needs to be nurtured, as a group we can do that.
Ron
Hello. I want to use grancrete to build a club house. Where can I find and buy grancrete? Where can I find styrofoam. How thick will the styrofoam have to be again?
Thx,
Griffin Dewitt AZ
Hello,
I am in eco consulting business and interested to know more about grancrete. Kindly e-mail me the info at: ghazi@ecosustainablevillage.com OR http://www.esvf.us
Thanks
Ghazi Khan
For Griffin………… First find out if your local building code allows this sort of construction. Foam boards can be purchased from quality building supply places. 1″ board is what is used on the grancrete web site. One buys grancrete straight from the company web site. ( I make the assumption that you have read this web site) Pump not included.
For Ghazi…….. Please read the posts on this web site. The web site address appears in several places. Or do the web search. PLENTY of info out there now about the product. Curious as to why an eco consulting business would be interested in this particular product. Can’t be because of the costs.
Paul
Free housing to the masses!
Silly Capitalists.
Hello Paul
As a consulting company we keep an eye on various developments. Our customers come from various backgrounds and require to analyse their own ideas with the current trends. Sometimes we ask various vendors to come up with a hybrid technology by combining techniques to achieve a favorable outcome as desired by our customers. Thanks for your input.
Ghazi Khan
How well will this goop hold in hot, humid Caribbean climates with loads of wind and rain? I’m planning my dream bohio village (30 homes) in Boriken and I’ld like to consider your product. Kindly send spec and details and suppliers and everything else I need to know to be convinced this isn’t a croock. I’ll pay postage and handling-
Roger Hernandez, P.O. Box 88, Adjuntas, Puerto Rico 00601.
This forum has NOTHING to do with grancrete except to talk about it. I would suggest going to grancrete’s website and contacting the marketing boys directly.
As for “How well will this goop hold in hot, humid Caribbean climates with loads of wind and rain?” It’s a ceramic. Should do well. Won’t be cheap though! Their website suggest that it is the answer to the world’s building needs.
I appear to be a bit of a late-comer to the “Grancrete world,” having only recently heard about it from a pastor friend in Tulsa, OK. and a another from Nigeria. I work in the environmental field and the potential of this product is exciting to me. I would like very much to informed of any future information, progress or activity related to Grancrete. Thank you.
ken……….best place for you to go to is grancrete’s official website. See June 21st post.
I would like more information on this product, including suppliers, tools needed or companies that apply this product.
Tad…….. why are you looking for it here? try grancrete.net
please send me some your movies through
box tt 270
tema new town
ghana
we are a housing charity that really needs this product. the housing boom has certainly raised prices our contractors can get thus pushing our end house prices much to high for the working poor. the grancrete product if as advertised will help a whole class of people our charity tries to service.
Am Product Design Professional.
I have 2 potential apps:
1) Children’s museum (KidSenses) for quickie BUT DURABLE constructs.
2) Custom tub.
Need to hand-trowel but also await sprayer close to Western North Carolina.
I appreciate being included in this conversation….
Paul,
What other construction methods were you referring to as less expensive because of local labor/materials? I want to build charity housing in Mexico and am looking for the least expensive/longest lasting/most versatile/efficient solution.
Thanks!
Bryan
Bryan
The methods I use are as follows if concrete block is unavailable. In Nicaragua I use the locally made brick. It stands up quite well even after the earthquakes we have had down here. I would stay away from such materials as adobe, unless you have past experience with it. I would bet that you have a brick maker around there somewhere. Look over their operation and get samples to examine.
Example—— In Nica a 15×20 block structure runs about 1,200 USD completed in minimal fashion. About 3,000 USD to “nice ” fashion.
Brick runs 1/2 this rate here and has been used for years in the area I am at.
If wood is not an option, look to see what the most common material is and find its source.
If I can be of any help let me know.
Charles………. Unfortunately, grancrete is not the material for housing for the working poor unless cost is no factor and the structures are sold at a loss. The building codes see to that. The stories carried a lot of hype and little substance.
Cheers!
Gentlemen,
While researching this type of building material I’ve ran across your forum. So far, I think that I’ll be going with this product
http://www.monotech.com/
It sounds nearly the same to me.
Hi,
I have designed an inexpensive substructure (less than 1000 dollars) out of double wall cardboard. It is a 24′ dia geaodesic dome and would be a perfect place to try out the grancrete. It is 452 sq feet of floor space and easy to build. If anyone is interested post a comment and I will try to get a website up soon.
Robert, please get a website up! I’m interested in your cardboard geodome!
robert, please let me know when your website is up. i like this idea!
Would this be good for basements with foam block outer shell I am a builder in Montana .
Hello,
I’m also interested in more Grancrete product information.
I think this is a great idea & have other uses besides just sprayon.
Does this product give off any harmful fumes during or after harding?
I would like to purchase some of this product to test my idea.
Where is it made & how protable is this material.
How expandable is this product?
Can grancrete be mixed onsite with a cement mixer type steup?
Please email me with any more information this product.
Thanks Tony T,
Orlando, Florida
I live in NW Arkansas a rapidly growing area, I am a ex builder and I am
currently a real estate appraiser.. I would be interested in more information
i would like more information on Grancrete. i am planning to build a home in the near future and would like to look into the possibility of building a grancrete home.
Deco Asphalt co.offer Stamped Decorative Asphalt partnership for installation. any body interested can find out about the benefits and cost by contacting me at info@decoasphalt.com. We are in Los Angeles.
A Popular Science magazine brief described grancrete as being derived from a cement designed for encasing nuclear materials. This sounds a lot like “geopolymer cement”, which I first read about in an article out of “The World & I” magazine back in the 1980′s. Geopolymer cement is much stronger than regular portland cement, much more crack-resistant and radiation resistant, and is actually water-repellent. Hmmm…
Dear all,
Are there anyone who has real experience on Grancrete?
Paul,
I tend to agree with your points , if the concept of the material is just to save labor, it’s useless coz the labor cost in the 3rd contries is cheap. Did you see any great idea that can add creativity into the local earth products, sand, soil etc?
I am willing to be updated with the real progress of the material.
Characterized as a environmentally safe, biochemical habitable, ceramic tough, quick dry, earthquake, hurricane and extreme weather resistant along with superior load bearing structural capacity has all the ingredients for incredible design capabilities and credible cost saving advantages.
However they have a WEB site you can’t get to, everyone has questions and no one replies with positive results of demonstrations. No one seems to have a clue of its existence and looking at all the hype it seems to be another Internet hoax. I just cannot let the possibility be brushed aside because after all it has been kicking around for a while in all the home building and scientific magazines so there must be some merit to the stories. I suspect all the SIP and IFC manufactures along with the lumber giants and whatever labor unions they threaten are beating them to death with all the legal technicalities they can muster up. You got anything real please do let me know – I live in New Hampshire but can travel. Coffylovr@aol.com
Keep me posted, please. Thanks.
can grancrete be sprayed on an old log barn to keep it from falling down.also can it be sprayed on an old roof to keep it from leaking.
Richard Merritt: Why not? The spray can idea is great for small leaks, don’t you think? Even a squirt bottle MIGHT work. Or just plaster it on. TRY it. Why sit and wonder when you can find out for yourself? Then let us all know how you fared.
fuul (April 25): Where did you learn your “math”? I’d like to know how you are able to build 2 houses with the money you get from building one.
I saw the article in popular science as well. I would like to be kept updated on this building material. I have a project that I could apply this type of product outside of the US.
Grancrete – Spray on Concrete
Spray Grancrete over a frame of Styrofoam, metal, wood — even woven sugarcane stalks — and in 20 minutes you have a waterproof, fire-resistant structure that has more than twice the strength of traditional concrete and can withstand extr…
What is a GEODETIC Dome? I know what a geodeSic dome is, but geodeTic? Never heard of it.
Where can I order a catalog for product costs, etc… Please reply.
rjhnyc@nyc.rr.com immediately.
Where can I order a catalog for product costs, etc… Please reply.
rjhnyc@nyc.rr.com immediately.
Grancrete should adhere to eps ,and polyurethane foams the same.Ive built eps structures ,and polyurethane structures abroad, and in ca.The fact that you can use salt water, in your mix,makes it alot easier.
In 3rd world countries you can easily build for 10.00 aft.With a R-30 of both types of foams.Monolithic structures are always coated with 2.0″ thickness of gunite ,or shotcrete.In 3rd world countrys, concrete pumps are hard to come by.Monolithic structures except much more abuse, than conventional bldg practices.The mono structures can also be easily made to float.
michael Airform Enterprises
It has been a while since I dropped in on this conversation, but now that I have started working with Grancrete I am trying to find an online forum of people working with this product.
The surface created with Grancrete is amazing – it reminds me of quarry tile. It seems very hard, dense and strong, with good adhesion to the EPS. It also seems to work equally well with beach sand or washed sand.
On the downside, I find it very difficult to apply manually to a vertical surface, and am still trying to develop a workable technique – hence my wish to find others who are working with Grancrete. Also, the cost seems to be about $4 square ft. just for the Grancrete. Not cheap.
I think Grancrete will make an outstanding siding and roof coating material if Grancrete LLC has developed a pump/sprayer that really works. Otherwise I would say it might only be useful for casting in a mold, or as a floor coating.
Check out Gigacrete, apparently it is a working form of this material already pre-fab’d with metal structural supports.
I caught the enthusiasm that seems to be the common theme when
people 1st discover these new materials. However as I started to look for more information I was disappointed not finding any evidence of anyone using the materials in the real world.
Is it possible to obtain a small quanity to experiment with?
Jeff, yours is about the only post I have seen where someone has actually
woked with this stuff. I would like to talk with if possible. Please contact me.
Rob
10 years ago I got excited about strawbale construction since a pal told me she’d built her NM home for $10K. I went to the city building code desk and asked if I could build a little house o’ straw here. They laughingly replied they didn’t care if I built it from old used tires or wine bottles as long as it met state and local standards for wind sheer/resistance, load and weight capacities, and zoning regulations for that neighborhood, etc etc. But finding land proved to be the real headache for me since I really want a view of the lake I live near and all the view areas are so-o-o pricey. Now I’m considering a Frankenstein house with a strawbale kitchen, a Grancrete living room, a geodesic dome bathroom, and a yurt-like bedroom (plz see rainieryurts.com). Should be kewel and get my name in the papers, har har. Now if only I can find that affordable view lot. I think we all know that housing is one of the major issues for the survival of the entire planet. God bless all who are working to help, even by talking about it.
I have tried to contact grancrete also. I live about five hours from there. I may drive up and buy a few bags in order to play with the material. Also, I have spoken with the owner of gigacrete and ordered some of his material. It is certainly VERY strong stuff. None of this product is cheap, but, when compared labor wise and material wise with regular framing, it becomes much more affordable. If any of you has gotten hold of grancrete or used the stuff please post here. Thanks.
Michael Lambing
I wanted to alert everyone that we are just finalizing the new corporations, Grancrete Inc., that will be totally responsible for the manufacture and marketing of grancrete materials. Grancrete Inc. has a very experienced management team, including Jim Paul, that will initiate and manage all of the future operations with this unique and innovative product. We are just completing several necessary testing protocols on grancrete and hope to have final data by mid February. The company plans to initiate distributorship licenses to selected markets in the US and other countries very soon. Currently small samples of grancrete (50 lb buckets or bags) can be purchased for trials. For additional information, please contact me at jselph@grancrete.net or call 919-597-2500 and leave a message.
Regards,
Jeff Selph
Executive VP Operations & Business Development
Grancrete Inc.
I would like to know of any investment opportunities in this company.
Lawrence
Lawrence,
Investments in Grancrete Inc. are still available. Let me know your interest.
Jeff Selph
Grancrete Inc.
Hey Jeff,
Just wanted an update on the sprayer. How is it coming along?
I am very interested in this type of home. We lost most of our manufactured home here in florida due to hurricane wilma and due to the skyrocketing realestate here are unable to even think about a regular home at $350,000 and up. We have decided that if we are hit again this season and have substantial damage to our home we cannot put our three children thru this again so we are thinking about relocating to texas. Although I am quite happy here. If anyone knows of a test home or a home built with this stuff either in Fl or Texas please e-mail me jusforsean@comcast.net. Thanks in advance In need of an affordable home option!
folks,
does anyone know about the type of cement used by gigacrete or it uses just the same as grancrete material.
wtrjy
I work with Gigacrete and can assure you it is available for sale. I would answer all non-proprietary questions anyone wishes to ask.
Jonathan Hampton
jonathan@gigacrete.com
Anyone interested and combing forces and coming up with any ideas? I’m willing and able. I have generated several schmatics and frames and buildings in mind, even houses. Also thaught of default plans?…Rob
please send me more info or contact me.I have ben working on something very simular thank you.
I have a craft house I want to build. Where can I buy grancrete?
I have mixed up small batches of grancrete to bond granite fieldstone in order to rebuild a stone wall. Using small handful-sized amounts that set in a couple of minutes (after turning quite hot to the touch), I simply make small invisible mortar joints on the top and bottom of each large stone. Within an hour I can hang from the wall nearly perpendicular to its face.
I’m convinced the material will last a long time due to its similarity to geopolymers. Is anyone else here familiar with Joseph Davidovits’ theory as to how the pyramids at Giza were built?
Very interested if viable economically and time-saving.what is the fomula mix?any chance of a demo here in malaysia.?Pls send more info.
Well something with this isn’t quite right. The very 1st post on this subject is back in March of last year. The grancrete website STILL says production to start the week of June 12, 2005. I am not sure what the hold up is but something is not panning out like planned. I do believe this product has GREAT potential and I sure hope it becomes available in bulk soon.
Jason
send any updates as available.
hey jeff, could you apply grancrete to straw bale house,for much needed space for my farm animals and their food?
Can I get a catalog sent to my home address?
I have to agree with Jason’s post on 7/9. I’ve been monitoring this site since I first published a note well over a year ago. Looking back thru the blog Jeff Selph with Grancrete states on 2/3 that ‘ Grancrete Inc. has a very experienced management team’. I can’t say that I agree. We’ve been hearing promises of this great product coming to market with little or no result. While one could classify a management team that misses delivery dates by that far as ‘very experienced’ it might be hard to say that the experience of that team has been very successful. I still think the product has great potential even if the costs are going to be significantly higher than suggested by the Popular Science article that turned me onto Grancrete.
Katrina and the Gulf Coast………….Can anyone help?????????????????
http://grancrete.net/order_12.htm
It looks like its available to order..
Also, A few people mention how they have used it on this website
http://slaphog.com/hogblog/?p=59
Starting to build a home with a SIP panel ( Thermasteel ) a foam and steel panel. Can Grandcrete be used over the panel like stucco for its fire safety and more strength? Address Thermasteelcorp.com
Thanks for the help
i just talked to jim and paul and they said it is tough to work with, but think it could be used to repair the downed alien spacecraft languishing in a top secret hanger within the area 51 air base. could be troweled on. i’m excited! this could be it! also, we talked about the possibilites of infusing stem cells into the mixture to create a “rock man”, never leaking or cracking. he would be like the “thing” from the fantastic four series, but would be more likely to only help poor people in developing countries. also, jim invited me down to the manufacturing plant on swindale court in virginia tomorrow. i’m hoping to bring my camera in to get pics. i’ll keep you guys updated!
Testing models!!
I am interested in spraying Grancrete over an arched shell of sprayed 2 lb. biobased insulation, that rests on a steel frame. I think grancrete would be strong enough in an arched shape, coating the outside. This is much stronger and cheaper than a two sided flat panel. Also polystyrene is a lousy insulator due to its open cell, and chunky nature. 2.5″ of dense closed cell is roughly 3x better.
To get past the lack of engineering problem, I suggest that we build a sample arch and throw sand bags on it. This is how Frank L. Wright despensed with the inspectors in Chicago for his famous Johnson building with the flaring columns.
In Minnesota, here, the snow load is 50 lbs per sq ft. That’s about one sand bag per sq. ft. If the model supports this, then it doesn’t matter what any inspector or engineer says because it has been proven.
I want to build this sample 30′x1′ arch. Any helpers, advisors, investors, or takers?
call Loren 952-261-2637 cell 952-448-5863
I have worked with Grancrete and have successfully participated in its use on vertical wall applications and self leveling floor applications. I can tell you that this material will perform beautifully with the right equipment. We have demonstrated it as friendly as spraying in a gyp texture like manor. The achievement opens the door for many opportunities if performed properly.
We want to assisted in helping the application be properly performed. We are a trainer and contractor. Please call Ross at Energy Smart Solutions 214-663-4886 Central Time
Great news about Grancrete! The guys in charge of spearheading the operation at Grancrete Solutions Inc. will have a booth at the World Concrete Convention in Las Vegas. Lots of exciting things are about to happen, just check them out at http://www.youtube.com, search grancrete and see their new video. Contact me with questions.
This material sounds fantastic and if it is a strong as they claim it to be, I can see this type of material being used by the U.S. military in rapid construction and or hardening practices of buildings/revetments. I’m a Civil Engineer Contingency Training Instructor for the Air Force, so I see many different ideas just springing up in my head as I read through this thread. I will continue to visit this site so please provide updates whenever possible.
I have been using Grancrete in small outdoor projects with great success. Certainly it shows much promise for many other applications. As for larger projects–military, heavy construction–and such issues as cost savings over concrete and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, I highly suggest looking into geopolymers. There is a lot of fascinating technical information on this subject available on the internet.
Grancrete would be excellent for military applications. Filling in roadside bomb holes is a daily struggle for our troops in Iraq, and grancrete’s quick curing time would be excellent in getting them out of harms way very quickly. Say goodbye to the sand Hesco barriers they use for protection, because grancrete can prove 50 times as strong as explosion and small arms protection when coupled with sand, And there is plenty of sand there, let me tell ya. I have let Grancrete Solutions Inc. in Dallas, hear about my idea with that, and it seems that they allready have something in progress as far as that goes. I can’t wait to see.
Grancrete would be excellent for military applications. Filling in roadside bomb holes is a daily struggle for our troops in Iraq, and grancrete’s quick curing time would be excellent in getting them out of harms way very quickly. Say goodbye to the sand Hesco barriers they use for protection, because grancrete can prove 50 times as strong as explosion and small arms protection when coupled with sand, And there is plenty of sand there, let me tell ya. I have let Grancrete Solutions Inc. in Dallas, hear about my idea with that, and it seems that they allready have something in progress as far as that goes. I can’t wait to see.
We sent one of our guys to Vegas to the World of Concrete show. I understand that Grancrete will be holding a demonstration there. It will be great to find out what he has learned. And of course he will be asking questions so I will be happy to update depending on the information I get back.
There is a cementitious material that can be sprayed on to EPS that has been approved by ICC. Not sure if Grancrete has those types of credentials or not but if not, it will be a struggle to get this stuff through a muni department.
grancrete sounds nice but difficult to use and expensive. Plus as this forum shows, a lot of questions. What is the problem with applying a bonding agent to eps and than expanded metal mesh and trowelling cement onto the surface? It seems you would end up with the same structural integrity as a sip using cement board.
Anyone still reading this site have any updates on their esperiences with grancrete or gigacrete? Anyone know of any homemade mixes for geopolymers or anything else comparable and cheaper in price?
I am a former masonry and concrete contractor and have been looking for cheaper alternatives for 25+ years. Concrete is still hard to beat in terms material price but is labor intensive.
One thing I have learned in all this is if we’re going to really find a significantly cheaper better material/method were going to have to do it ourselves and spread it word of mouth. But most of us are too busy making and living and living life to put the time and research into doing it.
One thing is for sure anytime some company such as grancrete finds something then the coporate politics always seems to throw a wrench in the gears and or maybe it’s just greed as far as the cost savings not to mention building departments.
I have heard rumors the military has some sort of polymer mix they can mix with just about any soil and it is stronger then concrete. They supposedly use it to make quick runways and other hard surfaces but they don’t want to make it available to the public as it would destroy the building materials market for concrete and asphalt etc. as it is so cheap and easy blah blah. But you know how rumors go…
I understand you are located in Virginia. I would like to see some examples of your construction.
I’m hoping to test build a small (garage) structure using 8″ to 12″ geofoam with grancrete in the next year. I’d like to use the technique for some structures in the Bahamas. Due to terminites possibly nesting in the foam I want to use Borax impregnated geofoam.
One of issues I see is connection of panels, roofs etc. My current plan is to use long plastic/polyester screws, and use stainless steel screening bent around various connections – corners, cornices etc. Additionally I may run various strapping from foundations. I’m also anticipating some glue.
For window and door bucking, I’m looking to use all plastic/composite wood materials – again trying to avoid termites. I don’t want any wood in the house except in cabinets and furniture and even then the termites are sure to find that wood.
Some other possibilites for a geofoam/grancrete combo:
* geodesic domes. You could precut all the triangles, put up the dome in hours and spray. I believe you could do this without rebar. If desired, metal mesh could be fairly easily installed over the exterior. This would be much easier and cheaper than the air-form, spray foam, rebar, concrete monolithic dome technique. It would also be even better insulated. I’m thinking of 1ft thick geofoam for this.
* quonset hut structures of large size. Geofoam panels come in up to 3x4x16 ft panels. Cut the panels slightly to make a classic roman arch – with 4ft thick walls – and you could cover a football field. The foam is quite good in compression that is provided by the arch. You may want to add reinforcing metal, but perhaps only on the exterior where it would be easy to apply. For a football field of 180+ft wide x lets say by 380ft long, you’d need 24 arches each 16ft wide (1 block) , with each each comprised of about 94 blocks for a total of 2256 geofoam blocks. Though this is way too simplistic thinking and would require more engineering, its nontheless intriguing. Talk about superinsulation – 4 ft thick foam should be sufficient… Note that if you use the highest 2lb density geofoam (I’d anticipate multiple densities – high at base, low at top of arch), geofoam cost should be under $1.4million for this. I estimate 220K sq ft of 1″ to 2″ grancrete at about $400,000 not including labor – so lets say roughly $2million for the shell materials. Double that for labor, add $1.5million for the field itself, and for $5million you have a superinsulated football/soccer/lacrosse field house. Add another million and you might be able to include a track. Just a crazy estimate without sufficient engineering.
* Another fun idea – spray the grancrete around 3x4x16 geofoam blocks, then use grancrete to attach these together into a barge for a floating home.. Then use 8″ geofoam (3″ for interior walls) for building the house structure itself. Although Grancrete is waterproof, I might still consider coating the exterior with a spray-on/roll-on pickup bed liner material like DuraBak.
* Seems that geofoam and grancrete, again due to its waterproof nature, might be excellent for creating a ferro-cement boat. But you might be able to drop the “ferro”. Create your bulkheads out of geofoam, cover with a couple of layers of 1″ thick flexible EPS panel strips (with a fine layer of grancrete between?), use a very fine gunite sprayer to apply grancrete inside and out and you’ve got your boat. And its highly fire resistant. I’m thinking of a large catamaran…
I have worked extensivley with grancrete in exterior installations. My background is in stucco systems. What I have found is the product doesn’t fully live up to it’s claimes. we have had problems with cracking, color fadeing and delamination. I feel there needs to be more true testing in different enviorments (not a lab). We have also encountered problems with Grancrete standing behind the product the way we feel they should. I have a 13,000 sq. ft. project that is half finished and is stalled until spring in hopes that Grancrete can figure things out. Even with the problems my self and the homeowners hope to be able to continue to work with Grancrete but if we can’t get answers form them on why we are haveing the problems we will be forced to go back to synthetic or conventional stucco. we have been consulting grancrete before and during the project to apply the material the way they suggest.
For a product that has theoretically been available for 2 1/2 years, it’s surprisingly difficult to get. An hour of searching the web found nothing but dead “you can buy it now” links to the grancrete site. The material seems impressive, and I would of bought some today if I could of… If anyone from Grancrete LLC reads this, a couple of suggestions. If you “reorganize” your website, figure out how to deal with calls to old pages… it’s not too hard. Also, you have a product people want, it would be nice for you to sell it to them. None of your “distributors” have websites listed. I was able to determine one from the email address, but his site didn’t sell Grancrete. Maybe I’m just confused on the meaning of distributor?
FYI: http://brownhomes.org – Link to the “distibutor”
Jimi,
We do sell Grancrete and would be more than happy to sell you some or get you in contact with the distributor for your area. Please feel free to contact us at info@brownhomes.org or visit our website http://www.brownhomes.org and fill out our contact form and we will get right back to you, most likely the same day.
Grancrete has only been available to the public for just over a year and in that time has undergone some major growing pains. For example some of the initial compressive testing data put Grancrete at 6,880 PSI after 28 days under the original mixing instructions. Now with lessons learned and a better way of mixing Grancrete is now getting 12,590 PSI after only 3 days. Some valuable installation lessons learned are to mix Grancrete by hand with a drill mixer at a very high speed slowly adding the powder to the water. The amount of water used in the formula is very key to the final strength. The best performance comes when 18 to 22% water is used by weight on the “PC” formula and down as low as 11% on the “B” formula. We have also found that mesh is another key component to preventing check cracking. Currently the color fades during curing under direct sunlight. If used outdoors or where sunlight will affect the final color we recommend using a synthetic finish. There are still more lessons to be learned from Grancrete and the best way so far has been on the ground by people who recognize Grancrete’s ultimate potential in changing the way people build. Grancrete is moving in the right direction and has produced some beautiful homes, countertops, faux walls, fireplaces, bathrooms, floors and even as a fireproofing for steal. We feel that the surface of what Grancrete is capable of has only been scratched. We have a lot of on the ground experience with Grancrete and appreciate people like Plaster Jon who are willing to give Grancrete a chance and are sorry that things didn’t work out for him. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at info@brownhomes.org or visit us on the web at http://www.Brownhomes.org
I was one of the first fourm writters and yet to hear when I can be come your seller or partial product owner..When am I going to get more information from you guys? Please hurry many biological clocks are ticking and we want to enjoy our fruits of our investments…Proffessional Marketing, Robert
Robert, If you would like some information on Grancrete email us at info@brownhomes.org and we will get you the information you need or get you in contact with the right group.
I am a manufacturer of EPS in India and am interested in trying out Grancrete in Pune Maharashtra State. I am keen on a franchise arrangement. If interested you can contact me on polyfab_eps@vsnl.net.