My previous comment was to teach you in as kind a way as I know how. It seems you didn't understand what I was trying to say. The poi t was that what you are making is styro foamcrete, NOT Styrofoam aircrete! Please consult professionals before making videos, not a mature hobbyists and experimenters.
This feller is such a gift to the YT world. If he wants to he can turn into the “Essential Craftsman” of the alternative building world. What a wonderful video.
Do you follow Essential Craftsman’s videos? I don’t know why I can’t remember his name, but he’s an incredible dude. He’s like the dad that we all wanted, but didn’t get.
Hi Stephen, I have been following alternative building methods for decades. You are doing a great job. I've added your concepts to mine and took them to a structural engineer and I am having great success. I have made some prototypes and am now getting ready to build my first tiny home. It will be 610 sqft. Sourcing eps has been a challenge. Appliance/furniture stores have been the best. dollar stores, not enough to spend the gas to get it. The unit I'm building has straight walls with pitch roof. 8" walls, 10" ceiling.
I love your ingenuity and drive to push this forward. While I'd likely never have the same drive you do to get to this point, I find it fascinating and hope work like this advances and drops material costs and options while making a better insulated wall.
Love your videos!... I am working with round spray concrete (Stucco) over Styrofoam .... Cattle panels for the reinforcing.... Your ideas stir the creative juices!... Thank you!
Love what you are doing, great concept, for the finish layer, I recommend, plastisized concrete, comes in many colors, and once cured, does not recognize water., I call this decorative concrete, you can make your structure look like brick, flagstone, or basically anything you can do on canvas. I have saved millions of lbs of concrete from making its way to landfills. You are the perfect person to bring this idea to life, I love it.
Don, you are going to have to help me understand this better. My understanding of plasticizers is that it is used as a water reducer in your concrete mix. Are you talking about something else?
Having been with Stephen on a visit and actually having helped (very little) him, and now seeing the finished Garden Shed, I can tell you I Works. I am actually doing some samples and hope to soon be able to start making a work space using this fantastic videos a a guide to get them up and running. Congrats my friend.
You are so lucky to have seen this built first hand. I would volunteer to work on a project like this. I'd learn so much more (that's what I did instead of going to film school). I'm looking forward to my own styro aircrete project 👍
Hi, someone mentioned Stephen's depth in his explanations and the way he tryes different options on what or how much to use of one material as opposed to another, well he is very thorough on his explanations of how and why one method is better than another. I could not have had a better school on Styroaircrete. Thank you my friend.
I have been mixing styrofoam ground up beads... using a small electric lawn mower upside down with a perforated Barrel on top to grind the pieces of free scrap styrofoam. Result is great no need for foam although I have used a phone and bead mixture also I am in Weldon California... thanks styro Crete is a great revolution in building!
The first coat of stucco is normally installed with a notched or toothed trowel creating a heavily ridged "Scratch Coat" which gives the second coat something to hang onto.
@@lighttheoryllc4337 Different countries, different decades, different ways...when I built in the 1990's we used chicken-wire installed with 3/8" spacers on the nails over 15 pound felt and metal lath on corners.
Looks awesome! I can't wait to get started on mine. 👍🏽 I'm going to go back and watch the vids you did for creating the foam and shredding the styrofoam. I am starting my test build next week.
Amazing. your trim is a great touch. I would love to do this as a modular, sort of spanish courtyard type deal where once I have enough land, family members could stake a claim, and build their own.
Your hats are a win by example, The present structure has some unique possibilities because of it shape. Consider repurposing any sheets of plexiglass scraps larger than 2 feet by 3 feet to create skylights at the building peak. Before cutting out any area between your wood structure do this. Heat the sheet of plexiglass to just short of 320 degree F and without burning yourself lift the area across the "exact" middle over a broom handle to gently fold it into an inverted V. Carry it up that ladder you have by gripping the strait broom stick not the plastic and lay it over the still unaltered roof peak area; Lay the very soft plastic over the peak using the broom handle, When its nice and square help it with gloves to attain the shape of roof surface close enough to later to be attached with silicon alone fully around its perimeter after you like the look of line scribbed on the roof of the skylight's desired opening. Only then cut out a "porthole" using an angle grinder. Be sure to be at least a full inch smaller in all places around the perimeter to make attaching with silicone easy. The plastic generally will last 8 years without degradation. If it ever needs replacement-.melt one again! Plexiglass scraps are often found as whole "storm windows" abandoned in great shape by those unable to find value in the labor of putting them up each fall. Plexiglass prices are high now but you have plenty of time to plan it out.
Looks great! Lanco makes a really good roof sealing product that's urethane based and has ceramic powder for maximum sun ray protection. I would be careful adding pigments to any elastomeric paint though as it might get warmer that way.
Excellent presentation Stephen. It would be very helpful if you could do a video going over your equipment setup. Specifically, what equipment you're using and why you chose it. I live in the southwest and an insulated building is a must. Thanks for your efforts.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEW PROCESS.TOO. IMO B REVIEWING SOME OF UR PAST PRJETS.. I LOST U FOR A MINUTE, CHANGED MY COMPUTER/LOST SOME OF MY FAVS.. BUT SO GLAD U POPPPED UP AGAIN.. I w/VIEWING FROM UR INITIAL DISCOVERIES/TESTS EARLY ON. GLAD TO SEE UR PRGRES. I FEEL CONFIDENT I CAN DIY SMALL PROJECTS TO START.. THEN BUILD ON THAT KNOWLEDGE. TY FOR SHARING~CO$T & MATERIALS TOO..I HV TO SAVE FUNDS FOR EA. OF MY PRJ. SO IT HELPS ME.RESPECT, MARGO-KC
Hello from LA(lower Alabama)! I have been researching building a gothic style house for the past year and ran across your styroaircrete building a few months back. I’m amazed at the cost savings and insulation properties!!! I’ll be waiting with baited breath on all of your updates about building codes especially but really the whole process.
@StephaniRocksCali Yes we are about to start releasing video from our first tiny house mold and share the journey as we attempt to scale up production! Stay tuned 
Thank you for posting Stephen! 👍 I've been eagerly waiting for this video 😍. It's awesome to see this build. You're an excellent instructor, I've learned so much from your videos 😊👍👍
@@AbundanceBuild I absolutely will take you up on that offer when I physically get started. 😊 I've been studying all different types of cost effective builds over the last few years from around the world and styrocrete is the best way to go. Nowadays when I see discarded Styrofoam, I see styrocrete 😁😊
I spent a long time working on lightweight concrete. May I suggest you build this differently. Build a form for a 4ft wall section. Then you can easily just make them all as individual sections. Then you tilt them up into place. One each side they lean into each other, and you seal the peak were they meet. The real advantage here is you can make them with a mold that has a texture for both the interior side and the exterior side. I used a brick pattern, so it looks like a brick building! The other key thing is to make it a sandwich material, use thin stucco on the inside and outside of the form, and the foam concrete in the middle. And you should make it thick, like 1ft thick so it has insulation value. Hope that helps.
Hi Murray, The idea is great but I tried molding panels and they are a lot of work to make. In addition they are very heavy. A 4x9 panel will weigh over 200 lbs. you have to move them around just to store them and then get them out to job site. For the DIYer pouring in place is way easier.
@@AbundanceBuild Great ideas here, Do you know how much a cubic foot weighs of styro-air Crete? I’m also wondering if you can mix the styrofoam into a 55 gallon barrel and stir with the foam mixer vs your big mixing machine? Leslie I was curious if you have a website where you store all of this data with supplies and specifications etc.? All the soupy awesomely helpful.
@@EmpoweredPercussion I saw someone mixing them in a 55 barrel, but there's also the aerocrete using glycerin-based soap. I think aerocrete may be better for forms like Murray was suggesting above.
@@EmpoweredPercussion Yes mixing styro aircrete in a 55 gallon drum works great. You can even make a barrel with interior mixing fins, put in on rollers and tumble the mix for 60 seconds and have it mixed.
@@stephenw1892 Any idea how much one cubic foot weighs? Also curious how much a 55 gallon tub of air Crete ways with and without Styrofoam? Ps: i’m curious About the Strength difference between aircreat and start aircreat? If we had a 4 foot long 8 foot thick rectangle of it and put weight on it with rebar inside, which one is stronger?
This is super cool. This would be amazing for a A frame home made with a metal structure. Concrete sheet rock style panel walls for exterior and fill with styrocrete. Love the Idea So much.
Excellent progress! Thank you for openly sharing your findings! I just bought a house and I'm thinking of using your techniques to build a man cave with an arched roof.
Great ideas! Excellent. Happy I found this channel. I'm on my way to Costa Rica to built a small house and I think I'm using this idea. I mean it is amazing! I used white glue as a powerful bonding, stops water and has a nice finish. I have experimented with paper made panels, almost like paper Mache, then I used a mix with plaster and the panels came and still are hard as rock. In fact I made a few flower vases with this technique, fill it up with water and it didn't leak. I made a candle holder and it didn't cause problems. I wonder if using white glue works as a bonding. I used it with cement, with clay ad the results were similar as with the paper
Thanks for your great info! I have completed my shredder and it works great. What to do think of using styroaircrete as a subfloor on grade for a radiant concrete slab?
@Stephen Williams I hope this isn't the last we hear from you.. I'd be interested to hear how the structure is holding up. Are there any cracks forming?
@@AbundanceBuild I seen a few videos with oil and diesel for fences and outside of sheds. I been wondering how U were going to do the end walls. I like to build one here in Australia, but local government is very strict. U need approve for a carport. Keep up the good videos mate
I have watched most of your videos. Can you create a single video for all of the aircrete recipes for each layer including the floor/foundation? Would this work if I sprayed a chicken run or carport frame? At what stage do you add the stucco or fiberglass mesh? This has been fascinating to watch. Do you have suggestions of where to source the styrofoam. It's been fun watching your journey - would love several new quick videos teaching us the layers/steps of putting the whole process together in the most simplified way. Thank you for sharing your knowledge - Brilliant!
How Aircrete Is Made Aircrete is made by mixing cement, lime, pulverized fuel ash, aluminum powder, and water. The chemical reaction catalyzed by the aluminum forms multiple air bubbles then dissolves, resulting in a very lightweight block. In aerated concrete, the "foam" is generated from a chemical reaction between aluminum powder and calcium hydroxide, an alkaline element formed when the cement is mixed with water. This reaction forms hydrogen bubbles that remain in the cement slurry. After setting, the aerated concrete is cut into blocks and autoclaved for extra strength. It has the strength and durability of traditional concrete, without the physical weight. It is NOT made with soap bubbles! (And it is very liquid at first, and will up to double in volume as is sets.)
An idea to go with this is solar landscaping lights worked into the roof to light the interior... or to finish the last 20” of the roof with translucent fiberglass panel or skylights...
Thanks for all of your informative videos! What are your thoughts of building an aircraft hangar out of this material and framing? Thanks for your reply.
thank you so much for this valuable content. You think the styro aircrete has the integrity to build an underground structure? Looking into ways to build an underground house with an open south facing wall in a hillside.
I saw a video showcasing companies that grow fungus in wood chips to use as packaging instead of styrofoam. There are lots of videos about it if you search for mycelium plastic on RUclips. You might be interested in getting some to use instead of styrofoam just to compare the two, after you finish your garden shed and take some time to relax, obviously. Nice job and great videos by the way. There were more innovative and informative than many schools of civil engineering imo.
What an amazing affordable and sustainable building. I have researched so many different building options, Cobb construction workshops, Dome Homes, and so much more. Could you recommend a reliable website or company for more details, information, and building materials.
Thanks for the update, really good work. What did you pay for the slab? $5-10 sq ft? I think that should be included in the cost per square foot. It used to be that you could get a big quonset hut for around $5 sq ft, but since steel has gone up....not any more. And it's not real well insulated. I like the fact that the air Crete is insulated for storage. Most areas have building codes, there are only a few places left in maybe West Texas, NM that don't have any building codes.
Does the styrofoam aircrete bond to rebar ? You briefly mentioned something about using it. Aircrete by itself doesn’t bond well. Did you get a better result ?
Rebar can cause the bubbles to pop inside of the aircrete. We have a new recipe that does not require the foam generator that we are preparing to share soon! This recipe will perform well with rebar. Subscribe to be notified!
I was curious if styro aircrete could be self-standing, aka not requiring the use of 2x4 wood structure? With the fiberglass mesh and stucco I was wondering if you thought that might be sufficient tensile strength to create a monolithic structure, especially with rounded forms like arches and domes whose shapes strengthen the overall structure?
Hy I have a house ready but it need an exterior insulation. I was thinking to isolate it with aircreate but have questions. How to stick it to the brick wall the aircreate? will in time the aircreate just move arround? would it crack in time? how to hold it to the wall? How thick should it be the aircreate?
Very informative. Thank you for your work. We live in bush Alaska and will be building in a year or so, and I’m always looking for affordable building options for us that will keep us warm and dry. I think the stucco would probably crack under snow load here but with some alterations, I’m curious if we can make this work. Any idea of the R-value?
You should be fine building with this in your climate. From my backyard testing I am coming up with around 3.2 to 3.5 R value per inch But the wall has some thermal mass and the stucco will add to that as well. In addition the wall is solid with no air leaks.
It's possible but the challenges with panels are 1) the panel has to be in compression to bond 2) the panel must be small enough to lift 3) you have to be delicate with the panel to prevent cracks. We found it easier to pour in place! Our new methods are in our online class at abundancebuild.com - use code SPRING40 for 40% off!
@@AbundanceBuild Thanks for the quick response. Big fan of your work and inspired to research this material for my next build. What's included in the class that isn't presented in your videos here on RUclips?
@@Capnmax Version 1.0 is free here on RUclips. The Class covers everything we built up to version 4.0 with lots of bonuses like how to make the affordable tools, cost spreadsheets, special additives, etc
Question about your foam shredder for you Stephen, how did you wire yours into a different switch ?. I have the same Cobalt one as you, but there are three wires going to the motor, white, black, and a red one. Thanks for the inspiration, I have got the foundation poured for a 36 x 48 garage...
Steve, This is amazing and revolutionary. I'm a huge fan and advocate for Styo-Aircrete. What are your thoughts on using this with Lego-type connecting blocks? I'm thinking about the design that could stack, lock, and stay together under loads. Your insight could really help. Thanks for your hard work and discovery/design with Styro-Aircrete.
Roger if your need structural strength then we need a different mix. It needs to have about twice as much portland and glass fibers mixed in would help as well. They would be heavier and not as insulative and cost more. If I was manufacturing a product to sell from this that would be it. But as a DIYer building molds and pouring 100's of blocks and then building your house with it is double work. Just pour the wall in place.
Hi Stephan I’m getting t ready to build a small 25x25 home Aircreat home. Can you tell me do you frame everything than pour your walls. Or do you have to frame at all. Also do you have any videos on how you did electrical
Because the styrocrete requires packing to bond, we haven't been able to attempt tilt-up walls. It would require a large press! Subscribe for new builds coming soon!
Hello Stephen, i find myself fascinated by your passionate work to try discover and help many like us in getting other building solutions that doesn't require one to break the bank. i have a question ... in kenya we have the pumice gravel that is light in weight and its made from volcanic material. i plan to experiment doing light weight structure in place of Styrofoam and compare. well done for this educative and eye opening mission. wish you well as you progress.
Awesome video! Thank you! What made you want to use the fiberglass mesh instead of chicken wire or some type of expanded metal? Was it cheaper, or stronger, or something else?
Does your shed still have wooden frame as its supporting structure or they are just used as molding frame and taken off after aircrete is poured and hardened into shape?
Hi Steven, I have thoroughly enjoyed your top notch videos. They have been fantastic. I am getting ready to build a couple of small out buildings on the order of 10*12 to skirt local zoning requirements and have been watching your videos for cost saving tips. I'm considering a modular design where I would build frame and pour pre-fab wall and roof sections on a flat slab, allow to dry, then tilt up and nail together. I have a local company in so cal that sells recycled foam beads for a very reasonable price. Any thoughts on this idea would be appreciated. Anthony
Anthony, yes you could frame up a wall with wood trusses laying on the floor and pour the styro crete onto the wall. You need to then lay OSB on top and screw it down to mold it flat. The remove the OSB and cover with fiber mesh and stucco. Then raise the wall in place and finish the interior wall. Not sure if this saves you anytime versus building with the wall standing.
If only the rest of the world new how to make well presented and informative videos like this!
That is a great compliment. Thank you
My previous comment was to teach you in as kind a way as I know how. It seems you didn't understand what I was trying to say. The poi t was that what you are making is styro foamcrete, NOT Styrofoam aircrete! Please consult professionals before making videos, not a mature hobbyists and experimenters.
@@AbundanceBuild Hi all the way from S.A.
Ive been watching ur videos and love it. I want to try ad test it in S.A
This feller is such a gift to the YT world. If he wants to he can turn into the “Essential Craftsman” of the alternative building world.
What a wonderful video.
Essential Craftsman. I like it! Thank you!
Do you follow Essential Craftsman’s videos? I don’t know why I can’t remember his name, but he’s an incredible dude. He’s like the dad that we all wanted, but didn’t get.
Haha no I'm not familiar. Let me know if you find it!
Hi Stephen, I have been following alternative building methods for decades. You are doing a great job. I've added your concepts to mine and took them to a structural engineer and I am having great success. I have made some prototypes and am now getting ready to build my first tiny home. It will be 610 sqft. Sourcing eps has been a challenge. Appliance/furniture stores have been the best. dollar stores, not enough to spend the gas to get it. The unit I'm building has straight walls with pitch roof. 8" walls, 10" ceiling.
I always get mine from Tractor Supply. Their heavy equipment has big blocks of it!
Great job!
I love your ingenuity and drive to push this forward. While I'd likely never have the same drive you do to get to this point, I find it fascinating and hope work like this advances and drops material costs and options while making a better insulated wall.
👍🌞
Give yourself more credit, he prolly has had good mentoring along with his drive…..God bless
We are making the process simpler! Stay tuned!
I'm still amazed more people haven't heard of this! This is a true innovation!
We are just getting started! Subscribe for new builds coming soon!
Love your videos!... I am working with round spray concrete (Stucco) over Styrofoam .... Cattle panels for the reinforcing.... Your ideas stir the creative juices!... Thank you!
Great job!
Love what you are doing, great concept, for the finish layer, I recommend, plastisized concrete, comes in many colors, and once cured, does not recognize water., I call this decorative concrete, you can make your structure look like brick, flagstone, or basically anything you can do on canvas. I have saved millions of lbs of concrete from making its way to landfills. You are the perfect person to bring this idea to life, I love it.
Don, you are going to have to help me understand this better. My understanding of plasticizers is that it is used as a water reducer in your concrete mix. Are you talking about something else?
Having been with Stephen on a visit and actually having helped (very little) him, and now seeing the finished Garden Shed, I can tell you I Works. I am actually doing some samples and hope to soon be able to start making a work space using this fantastic videos a a guide to get them up and running.
Congrats my friend.
You are so lucky to have seen this built first hand. I would volunteer to work on a project like this. I'd learn so much more (that's what I did instead of going to film school). I'm looking forward to my own styro aircrete project 👍
Hi, someone mentioned Stephen's depth in his explanations and the way he tryes different options on what or how much to use of one material as opposed to another, well he is very thorough on his explanations of how and why one method is better than another. I could not have had a better school on Styroaircrete. Thank you my friend.
I have been mixing styrofoam ground up beads... using a small electric lawn mower upside down with a perforated Barrel on top to grind the pieces of free scrap styrofoam.
Result is great no need for foam although I have used a phone and bead mixture also I am in Weldon California... thanks styro Crete is a great revolution in building!
Thank you!
New opportunities coming soon!
The first coat of stucco is normally installed with a notched or toothed trowel creating a heavily ridged "Scratch Coat" which gives the second coat something to hang onto.
And fiberglass mesh netting or a basalt mesh netting
@@lighttheoryllc4337 Different countries, different decades, different ways...when I built in the 1990's we used chicken-wire installed with 3/8" spacers on the nails over 15 pound felt and metal lath on corners.
Thanks for the tip!
Looks awesome! I can't wait to get started on mine. 👍🏽 I'm going to go back and watch the vids you did for creating the foam and shredding the styrofoam. I am starting my test build next week.
You can do it!
Amazing. your trim is a great touch. I would love to do this as a modular, sort of spanish courtyard type deal where once I have enough land, family members could stake a claim, and build their own.
Great idea!
THANKS Stephen for doing Styro Aircrete field trials for us. You're driving a possible game changer for all of us!
Thats why we do it! Youre welcome!
Your hats are a win by example, The present structure has some unique possibilities because of it shape. Consider repurposing any sheets of plexiglass scraps larger than 2 feet by 3 feet to create skylights at the building peak. Before cutting out any area between your wood structure do this. Heat the sheet of plexiglass to just short of 320 degree F and without burning yourself lift the area across the "exact" middle over a broom handle to gently fold it into an inverted V. Carry it up that ladder you have by gripping the strait broom stick not the plastic and lay it over the still unaltered roof peak area; Lay the very soft plastic over the peak using the broom handle, When its nice and square help it with gloves to attain the shape of roof surface close enough to later to be attached with silicon alone fully around its perimeter after you like the look of line scribbed on the roof of the skylight's desired opening. Only then cut out a "porthole" using an angle grinder. Be sure to be at least a full inch smaller in all places around the perimeter to make attaching with silicone easy. The plastic generally will last 8 years without degradation. If it ever needs replacement-.melt one again! Plexiglass scraps are often found as whole "storm windows" abandoned in great shape by those unable to find value in the labor of putting them up each fall. Plexiglass prices are high now but you have plenty of time to plan it out.
Thanks for the tip!
Looks great Stephen! And I wanted to thank you again for inviting me over to see this project and inviting me into your home.
Thanks for feedback. You are welcome anytime.
Looks great! Lanco makes a really good roof sealing product that's urethane based and has ceramic powder for maximum sun ray protection. I would be careful adding pigments to any elastomeric paint though as it might get warmer that way.
Thanks Mike I am reading about it now.
I love how the styrofoam both is recycled and helps to add workability and insulation
It is a win-win!
Love your attitude with building. Positive and persistent. Testing various methods. I’m watching your videos multiple times :)
Thank you!
Excellent presentation Stephen. It would be very helpful if you could do a video going over your equipment setup. Specifically, what equipment you're using and why you chose it. I live in the southwest and an insulated building is a must. Thanks for your efforts.
Coming soon!
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEW PROCESS.TOO. IMO B REVIEWING SOME OF UR PAST PRJETS.. I LOST U FOR A MINUTE, CHANGED MY COMPUTER/LOST SOME OF MY FAVS.. BUT SO GLAD U POPPPED UP AGAIN.. I w/VIEWING FROM UR INITIAL DISCOVERIES/TESTS EARLY ON. GLAD TO SEE UR PRGRES. I FEEL CONFIDENT I CAN DIY SMALL PROJECTS TO START.. THEN BUILD ON THAT KNOWLEDGE. TY FOR SHARING~CO$T & MATERIALS TOO..I HV TO SAVE FUNDS FOR EA. OF MY PRJ. SO IT HELPS ME.RESPECT, MARGO-KC
You're welcome! You can do it!
Thank you for sharing your experience with everyone!
Thanks for watching!
Hello from LA(lower Alabama)! I have been researching building a gothic style house for the past year and ran across your styroaircrete building a few months back. I’m amazed at the cost savings and insulation properties!!! I’ll be waiting with baited breath on all of your updates about building codes especially but really the whole process.
Thank you! New builds coming soon!
Stephan I love that shed! Spectacular! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
Thank you!
Great work, it's very esthetically pleasing to look at. Seem like it would be easy to make a greenhouse with the aircrete.
Thank you!
What a mission you’ve been on. Excellent to see this complete. Love all the info on your channel. Keep it up.
Thank you!
100% on this initiative, I'm excited to see the end result & what it takes to get the green mark for certification.
Working on it!
Very excited to have found your channel and to learn more about styro aircrete.
Welcome! More to come!
Outstanding video. I am also looking to build something similar this summer. Your content here will help me a lot.
You can do it!
Wow amazing. Getting an engineer to approve this would be amazing
Working on it!
Thanks for your time
Thanks for watching!
@@AbundanceBuild anything new in the works. Always a great watch and learn.
@StephaniRocksCali Yes we are about to start releasing video from our first tiny house mold and share the journey as we attempt to scale up production! Stay tuned 
This looks great! Keep it up!
Thanks! Will do!
Thank you for posting Stephen! 👍 I've been eagerly waiting for this video 😍. It's awesome to see this build. You're an excellent instructor, I've learned so much from your videos 😊👍👍
Thanks for the kudos Elizabeth. Good luck with your project. Contact me with questions if you have any issues.
@@AbundanceBuild I absolutely will take you up on that offer when I physically get started. 😊 I've been studying all different types of cost effective builds over the last few years from around the world and styrocrete is the best way to go. Nowadays when I see discarded Styrofoam, I see styrocrete 😁😊
I spent a long time working on lightweight concrete. May I suggest you build this differently. Build a form for a 4ft wall section. Then you can easily just make them all as individual sections. Then you tilt them up into place. One each side they lean into each other, and you seal the peak were they meet.
The real advantage here is you can make them with a mold that has a texture for both the interior side and the exterior side. I used a brick pattern, so it looks like a brick building! The other key thing is to make it a sandwich material, use thin stucco on the inside and outside of the form, and the foam concrete in the middle.
And you should make it thick, like 1ft thick so it has insulation value. Hope that helps.
Hi Murray, The idea is great but I tried molding panels and they are a lot of work to make. In addition they are very heavy. A 4x9 panel will weigh over 200 lbs. you have to move them around just to store them and then get them out to job site. For the DIYer pouring in place is way easier.
@@AbundanceBuild Great ideas here, Do you know how much a cubic foot weighs of styro-air Crete? I’m also wondering if you can mix the styrofoam into a 55 gallon barrel and stir with the foam mixer vs your big mixing machine? Leslie I was curious if you have a website where you store all of this data with supplies and specifications etc.? All the soupy awesomely helpful.
@@EmpoweredPercussion I saw someone mixing them in a 55 barrel, but there's also the aerocrete using glycerin-based soap. I think aerocrete may be better for forms like Murray was suggesting above.
@@EmpoweredPercussion Yes mixing styro aircrete in a 55 gallon drum works great. You can even make a barrel with interior mixing fins, put in on rollers and tumble the mix for 60 seconds and have it mixed.
@@stephenw1892 Any idea how much one cubic foot weighs? Also curious how much a 55 gallon tub of air Crete ways with and without Styrofoam? Ps: i’m curious About the Strength difference between aircreat and start aircreat? If we had a 4 foot long 8 foot thick rectangle of it and put weight on it with rebar inside, which one is stronger?
Hey Steve, when you do the next building, please let me know. I want to visit and see how you are doing so that I can replicate in my backyard!
New opportunities coming soon!
This is super cool. This would be amazing for a A frame home made with a metal structure. Concrete sheet rock style panel walls for exterior and fill with styrocrete. Love the Idea So much.
Go fo it! Subscribe for new builds coming soon! We may be working on an A-frame inspired build right now ;)
Excellent progress! Thank you for openly sharing your findings! I just bought a house and I'm thinking of using your techniques to build a man cave with an arched roof.
You can do it!
Looks great! Thanks for the update.
Thank you and You're Wecome!
that machine looked quite interesting to me
Thanks! Subscribe for new builds coming soon!
Great ideas! Excellent. Happy I found this channel. I'm on my way to Costa Rica to built a small house and I think I'm using this idea. I mean it is amazing! I used white glue as a powerful bonding, stops water and has a nice finish. I have experimented with paper made panels, almost like paper Mache, then I used a mix with plaster and the panels came and still are hard as rock. In fact I made a few flower vases with this technique, fill it up with water and it didn't leak. I made a candle holder and it didn't cause problems. I wonder if using white glue works as a bonding. I used it with cement, with clay ad the results were similar as with the paper
Thanks! You can do it!
Thankyou for sharing your experiments and builds.
You're welcome!
Such a refreshing old school RUclips video, great process and explanation, I would love to visit you and collaborate on your projects and take notes !
22minus, I would enjoy having you come by. You can email me at Stephen.wiilliams64@yahoo.com
Thanks for your great info! I have completed my shredder and it works great. What to do think of using styroaircrete as a subfloor on grade for a radiant concrete slab?
We haven't tested it yet but plan to soon!
Turning out beautiful
Thank you!
Love the practical testing, thanks for sharing!
You're welcome!
Thank you for making these videos, and all the great testing you do.
Thank you!
Amazing just amazing you got skills, 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤩🤩🤩🤩🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Thank you!
For your electric wire cutter use a electric train controller, works great
Thanks for the tip! Subscribe for new builds coming soon!
@Stephen Williams I hope this isn't the last we hear from you.. I'd be interested to hear how the structure is holding up. Are there any cracks forming?
Holding up great!
Great video mate. Be interested in video about you treating you wood in the vinegar, oil mix, cheers Graham
Mr. Sad, I learned one from the internet and RUclips. Used motor oil and diesel fuel is the original mix farmers have used for years.
@@AbundanceBuild I seen a few videos with oil and diesel for fences and outside of sheds. I been wondering how U were going to do the end walls. I like to build one here in Australia, but local government is very strict. U need approve for a carport. Keep up the good videos mate
I have watched most of your videos. Can you create a single video for all of the aircrete recipes for each layer including the floor/foundation? Would this work if I sprayed a chicken run or carport frame? At what stage do you add the stucco or fiberglass mesh? This has been fascinating to watch. Do you have suggestions of where to source the styrofoam. It's been fun watching your journey - would love several new quick videos teaching us the layers/steps of putting the whole process together in the most simplified way. Thank you for sharing your knowledge - Brilliant!
New builds, recipes, and tests coming soon! Stay tuned!
How Aircrete Is Made
Aircrete is made by mixing cement, lime, pulverized fuel ash, aluminum powder, and water. The chemical reaction catalyzed by the aluminum forms multiple air bubbles then dissolves, resulting in a very lightweight block.
In aerated concrete, the "foam" is generated from a chemical reaction between aluminum powder and calcium hydroxide, an alkaline element formed when the cement is mixed with water. This reaction forms hydrogen bubbles that remain in the cement slurry. After setting, the aerated concrete is cut into blocks and autoclaved for extra strength. It has the strength and durability of traditional concrete, without the physical weight. It is NOT made with soap bubbles! (And it is very liquid at first, and will up to double in volume as is sets.)
Different product. Thanks for sharing!
Phenomenal job and video Stephen! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you!
An idea to go with this is solar landscaping lights worked into the roof to light the interior... or to finish the last 20” of the roof with translucent fiberglass panel or skylights...
Good idea!
Thanks for sharing. Great work !
Thanks for watching!
Great looking building. Thanks for the information. Happy 4th.
Thank you! You too
Thanks for all of your informative videos! What are your thoughts of building an aircraft hangar out of this material and framing? Thanks for your reply.
I like it but not familiar with codes related to hangars. Good luck!
Thanks for posting the update!! Love it! I subscribed on your last upload but didn't get the notification - resubscribed!
Thank you! Subscribing helps us all get access to affordable building!
thank you so much for this valuable content. You think the styro aircrete has the integrity to build an underground structure? Looking into ways to build an underground house with an open south facing wall in a hillside.
Probably. Consult a structural engineer first. Stay tuned for new builds and tests!
Looking good man. Keep up the good work.
Thanks!
Excellent, thank you!
You're welcome! Subscribe for new builds coming soon!
I saw a video showcasing companies that grow fungus in wood chips to use as packaging instead of styrofoam. There are lots of videos about it if you search for mycelium plastic on RUclips. You might be interested in getting some to use instead of styrofoam just to compare the two, after you finish your garden shed and take some time to relax, obviously.
Nice job and great videos by the way. There were more innovative and informative than many schools of civil engineering imo.
He is doing the country a favour by recycling the styrofoam in this way
@@utubeape sure, but that has nothing to do with comparing the two just to see what the difference is.
Good idea!
Thanks for your video! I am inspired! What shredding machine do you use to shred styrofoam?
We made our own from an electric lawnmower. We will make a video soon to discuss shredder options
What an amazing affordable and sustainable building. I have researched so many different building options, Cobb construction workshops, Dome Homes, and so much more. Could you recommend a reliable website or company for more details, information, and building materials.
We are building that company :) abundance.build
Workshop July 25 - 28th!
Great video Stephen.
Thanks!
truly awesome Stephen - thanks for this work of art!!
Thank you! and You're welcome!
If you put polycarbonate panels on one roof side ……….what an awesome greenhouse!
That would work! Build one and send pictures 😁
T Y Bro, what a concept.
Sure appreciate all the
enginnuity.
You're welcome!
Love the design + very informative video! I'm gonna try that fiberglass mesh
Thank you!
Thanks for the update, really good work. What did you pay for the slab? $5-10 sq ft? I think that should be included in the cost per square foot. It used to be that you could get a big quonset hut for around $5 sq ft, but since steel has gone up....not any more. And it's not real well insulated. I like the fact that the air Crete is insulated for storage. Most areas have building codes, there are only a few places left in maybe West Texas, NM that don't have any building codes.
Kara the slab cost $800 for concrete and steel. Yes we need to get this method approved for permitting.
Awesome, looks great!
Thank you!
Does the styrofoam aircrete bond to rebar ?
You briefly mentioned something about using it. Aircrete by itself doesn’t bond well.
Did you get a better result ?
Rebar can cause the bubbles to pop inside of the aircrete. We have a new recipe that does not require the foam generator that we are preparing to share soon! This recipe will perform well with rebar. Subscribe to be notified!
you're the man.. have enjoyed every video.
Thank you!
Been waiting, gr8 vid mate
Thank you! New builds coming soon!
I was curious if styro aircrete could be self-standing, aka not requiring the use of 2x4 wood structure? With the fiberglass mesh and stucco I was wondering if you thought that might be sufficient tensile strength to create a monolithic structure, especially with rounded forms like arches and domes whose shapes strengthen the overall structure?
Yes new build coming soon to test it!
@@AbundanceBuild Niiice! Looking forward to it!
Hy I have a house ready but it need an exterior insulation. I was thinking to isolate it with aircreate but have questions. How to stick it to the brick wall the aircreate? will in time the aircreate just move arround? would it crack in time? how to hold it to the wall? How thick should it be the aircreate?
Use a mold to pack it tightly! New builds coming soon!
Good job.
Thank you!
Very informative. Thank you for your work. We live in bush Alaska and will be building in a year or so, and I’m always looking for affordable building options for us that will keep us warm and dry. I think the stucco would probably crack under snow load here but with some alterations, I’m curious if we can make this work. Any idea of the R-value?
You should be fine building with this in your climate. From my backyard testing I am coming up with around 3.2 to 3.5 R value per inch But the wall has some thermal mass and the stucco will add to that as well. In addition the wall is solid with no air leaks.
New builds coming soon!
styroaircrete + naked t-stud is the future imo... stephen what is the volumetric weight of your most insulative mix?
New recipe video coming soon! Stay tuned
If you poured pre-cast panels with the mesh integrated I wonder if that would be stronger and easier to install?
It's possible but the challenges with panels are 1) the panel has to be in compression to bond 2) the panel must be small enough to lift 3) you have to be delicate with the panel to prevent cracks. We found it easier to pour in place! Our new methods are in our online class at abundancebuild.com - use code SPRING40 for 40% off!
@@AbundanceBuild Thanks for the quick response. Big fan of your work and inspired to research this material for my next build. What's included in the class that isn't presented in your videos here on RUclips?
@@Capnmax Version 1.0 is free here on RUclips. The Class covers everything we built up to version 4.0 with lots of bonuses like how to make the affordable tools, cost spreadsheets, special additives, etc
Question about your foam shredder for you Stephen, how did you wire yours into a different switch ?. I have the same Cobalt one as you, but there are three wires going to the motor, white, black, and a red one. Thanks for the inspiration, I have got the foundation poured for a 36 x 48 garage...
Great job! Subscribe for new builds coming soon!
Steve, This is amazing and revolutionary. I'm a huge fan and advocate for Styo-Aircrete. What are your thoughts on using this with Lego-type connecting blocks? I'm thinking about the design that could stack, lock, and stay together under loads. Your insight could really help. Thanks for your hard work and discovery/design with Styro-Aircrete.
Roger if your need structural strength then we need a different mix. It needs to have about twice as much portland and glass fibers mixed in would help as well. They would be heavier and not as insulative and cost more. If I was manufacturing a product to sell from this that would be it. But as a DIYer building molds and pouring 100's of blocks and then building your house with it is double work. Just pour the wall in place.
New builds coming soon!
Hi Stephan I’m getting t ready to build a small 25x25 home Aircreat home. Can you tell me do you frame everything than pour your walls. Or do you have to frame at all. Also do you have any videos on how you did electrical
New builds coming soon! Will cover your questions
have thought of spraying the mixes
Needs to pack tightly and pumps are slow
What about doing the end walls as tilt up?
Because the styrocrete requires packing to bond, we haven't been able to attempt tilt-up walls. It would require a large press! Subscribe for new builds coming soon!
hey love the project on this, however whats the STC for this? I am t hinking of using it for my shed as well, i got some industrial sized loud tools
We don't have any official ratings for soundproofing yet. However, we were surprised at how effective it was in that area!
nice, i am wondering if it is possible to have a video of running a power tool inside and whilst taking the video and mic outside. @@AbundanceBuild
@@qin02 Good idea! We have four different buildings with different wall thicknesses
Very nice.
Thanm you!
Hello Stephen, i find myself fascinated by your passionate work to try discover and help many like us in getting other building solutions that doesn't require one to break the bank. i have a question ... in kenya we have the pumice gravel that is light in weight and its made from volcanic material. i plan to experiment doing light weight structure in place of Styrofoam and compare. well done for this educative and eye opening mission. wish you well as you progress.
Murage the volcanic rock will work but it won't be as insulative as the styrofoam. But way better than pure concrete.
Thank you! Good luck!
Awesome video! Thank you! What made you want to use the fiberglass mesh instead of chicken wire or some type of expanded metal? Was it cheaper, or stronger, or something else?
Hi Brigham, Fiber mesh is cheaper and much easier to work with.
Love your videos!!!
Thank you! New builds coming soon!
How thick is your end walls?
How thick is your bow arch roof/ walls?
6 inches and 7.5 inches. You can customize that based on your insulation needs! Subscribe for new builds coming soon!
Does your shed still have wooden frame as its supporting structure or they are just used as molding frame and taken off after aircrete is poured and hardened into shape?
In this shed we left the ribs inside. Our next build coming out soon will have no wood left inside!
I like it. Is this waterproof? What about rain?
needs to be sealed to be waterproof
You need to experiment with finding a way to pump the skyrocketed into your forms.
Great video good luck
Hi Tobias, I agree but finding a pump that will pump this stuff has been a challenge. It does not flow good and it is so light.
Looks great
Thanks!
Very nice …thanks’
You're welcome! Subscribe for new builds coming soon!
have you ever tried surface bond concrete....
Not yet! Subscribe for new builds coming soon!
How do you think this will hold up with a snow load? New England
Should work great!
Hi Steven, I have thoroughly enjoyed your top notch videos. They have been fantastic. I am getting ready to build a couple of small out buildings on the order of 10*12 to skirt local zoning requirements and have been watching your videos for cost saving tips. I'm considering a modular design where I would build frame and pour pre-fab wall and roof sections on a flat slab, allow to dry, then tilt up and nail together. I have a local company in so cal that sells recycled foam beads for a very reasonable price. Any thoughts on this idea would be appreciated. Anthony
Anthony, yes you could frame up a wall with wood trusses laying on the floor and pour the styro crete onto the wall. You need to then lay OSB on top and screw it down to mold it flat. The remove the OSB and cover with fiber mesh and stucco. Then raise the wall in place and finish the interior wall. Not sure if this saves you anytime versus building with the wall standing.
New builds coming soon!
Steven what were the 1" Styrofoam strips Added
Just for aesthetic texture, more styrofoam
How much water is normal to run out the bottom, when filling the wall?
There is always some dripping. Make sure mold is secure
Did you do any temperature checks to see how thermal resistant it is.
Yes I have and did a video on it. Look for styro aircrete R value testing.