Homasote
From MaterialProject.org, the free architectural material catalog
Contents |
Material analysis
MasterFormat Number: 00 00 00
Traditional uses
- exterior vertical sheathing
- sound control
- roof decking
- concrete forming
- expansion joint
- thermal insulation.[1]
Emerging uses / trends
- tack or cork board alternative
Finish and aesthetic qualities
- Homasote has a natural gray finish produced from the recycled paper and newspaper ink.
- It can be sanded on both sides to show a smooth, surface that can be used for display applications and requires no finishing. (Homasote product is called PINnacle). It can readily receive fabrics, wallcoverings, paint or dye.[2]
Surface forms / shapes
- Homasote is manufactured in 8'x12' sheets, but are cut to size for various products.
Cost analysis
- Price/ 4'x8' panel: $15-$25
- Price / SqFt: $.46-$.78
Material properties
Primary structural use
- Homasote is a good material for exterior vertical sheathing, and can be used in place of oriented strand board (OSB) or plywood.
Material performance
- Homasote is made of post consumer paper and newspaper, water, wax emulsion, and biocide.
- It is weather resistant, structural, insulating, and durable fiberboard.[3]
- Generally, it is 2 to 3 times stronger than the typical light density wood fiberboards.
Dimensional and opening restriction
- Manufactured in 8'x12' sheets, the product is cut to different sizes for various products.
Acoustic property
- Homasote has excellent sound dampening qualities that reduces ambient and through the structure sound.
Manufacturing process and assembly
- Product is made from post consumer paper and newspaper, where cardboard is removed and sold to other recyclers.
- Paper is moved on 6' wide conveyer system to giant hydropulper (steel cylindrical vat and blender), where paper is mixed with 18,000 gallons of 140 degree water, creating a gray slurry.
- A high speed roter keeps slurry in motion and pushes pieces of cellulose fiber pulp through a screen.
- Additional machinery removes non-paper materials.
- Small amounts of wax emulsion and biocide are added to slurry, which is them pumped into tanks to be molded into Homasote.
- The slurry is pumped into 8'x12' molds that shape the product by squeezing 25% of the water out.
- The mats are then moved onto rollers to giant presses where it receives 1,600 to 2,200 lbs/square inch of pressure, then moves into the enclosed dryer.
- The sheets are then ready to be cut into different sizes to be made into various Homasote products.
Environment and Life Safety
Environmental impact
- Primary material is post consumer paper and newspaper consisting of 250 tons processed per day.
- One ton of recycled newsprint conserves 300 cubic yards of landfill space.
- Homasote products conserve more than 1.37 million trees and eliminates 100 million pounds of solid waste products each year.
- The cardboard that is removed after the paper is received is then rebundled and sold to another recycler, since it cannot be used in the product.
- The water that is used in the making of the product, which is hundreds of thousands of gallons per day, is completely recycled in a closed loop system.[4]
Flammability rating
- Most Homasote products are flammable, but not explosive. Products include ComfortBase, 440 Homasote, 440 SoundBarrier, 4 Way Floor Deck, Burlap Panels, Easy Ply Roof Deck, Homex 300, Ice Deck, Nova Cork Panels, and Thermasote Nail Base Insulation.
- Fire retardent products available are DesignWall panels, Firestall Roof Deck, and N.C.F.R. Homasote and Wall Shield. However, they are flammable, but not explosive.
Coefficient of friction
- Homasote isn't used as a finished flooring material, so the COF has not be given
References
Notes
- ↑ http://www.homasote.com/typesofusers/Architects.aspx
- ↑ http://www.homasote.com/about.aspx
- ↑ http://www.homasote.com/products/
- ↑ http://www.homasote.com/Envioronment.aspx
Student contributions
- Janet Lasher, Spring 2010
