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Insulating concrete vs Homebrew Fireclay Mortar

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  • Insulating concrete vs Homebrew Fireclay Mortar

    Hi. After my son and my 3rd summer of working on this, we finally finished the dome (whew!) and have laid the insulating blanket and started on the layer of insulating concrete to cover the blanket. My question is this (and I've looked all over the PDF plans as well as the forum for an answer); before I go out and purchase more materials for the homebrew mortar, is insulating concrete a different product?

    Many thanks in advance for your feedback,

    Heather

  • #2
    Re: Insulating concrete vs Homebrew Fireclay Mortar

    Insulating concrete, or more commonly called Vermicrete is a mix of vermiculite and cement. You can use perlite if you can't find vermiculite.

    Ratio is 5:1 for the parts that need structural functions, all the way to 20:1 for the dome insulation.

    M.

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    • #3
      Re: Insulating concrete vs Homebrew Fireclay Mortar

      Fantastic! That will be so much easier. So, to confirm, 1 part of concrete to 20 parts vermiculite for covering the insulating blanket, then? Our plan was to finish with stucco or adobe.

      Many thanks, H

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      • #4
        Re: Insulating concrete vs Homebrew Fireclay Mortar

        Originally posted by HConrad View Post
        Fantastic! That will be so much easier. So, to confirm, 1 part of concrete to 20 parts vermiculite for covering the insulating blanket, then? Our plan was to finish with stucco or adobe.

        Many thanks, H
        No. 1 part of cement, not concrete.

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        • #5
          Re: Insulating concrete vs Homebrew Fireclay Mortar

          Right! Sorry - I was on my way out the door and was not thinking clearly. Again, many thanks! H

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          • #6
            Re: Insulating concrete vs Homebrew Fireclay Mortar

            If you use 20:1 you may have trouble with it not being firm enough. It only needs to be strong enough so that you can stucco against it. It will depend how thick you make the layer too. I find 10:1 works pretty well.
            Kindled with zeal and fired with passion.

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            • #7
              Re: Insulating concrete vs Homebrew Fireclay Mortar

              Thank you so very much! I really appreciate the feedback.

              -H

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