We have been working on designs to replace a fire-damaged house just outside Cambridge. Sustainability was a heart of this project’s brief and from the outset the client wished to use Weinerberger’s “Porotherm” clay blocks for the walls.
These are an innovative masonry solution, more commonly used on Continental Europe but growing in popularity in the UK as their benefits are becoming more widely recognised. We are lucky to have experienced installers locally who have been working efficiently under the local main contractor, Godfrey & Hicks. As a practice we are keen to explore and understand the most sustainable methods of construction and often use Porotherm blocks for their various environmental and practical benefits:
They are lightweight, requiring about 60% less material than traditional brick & block wall. This lighter weight can also offer safety benefits for the workmen who unload and install them, reducing the risk of back injuries or repetitive strain injuries
Requiring only a thin 1mm mortar bed between courses, they can be laid much faster than bricks & blocks, using a specialist roller. This also means that the installation process requires substantially less water than traditional 10mm mortar beds, which reduces pressure on the local water supply. This has environmental benefits, particularly in summer months in East Anglia where hosepipe bans are often implemented
Extremely durable, requiring little to no maintenance, with an expected building life of over 150 years, and recyclable at the end of life
As clay products they are inert, they present no risk to the environment or the end user. Almost all clay blocks are “fired” in an oven to give them their rigidity and strength, but because Porotherm are hollow, these require less energy to produce than other traditional types of bricks and block.
They are inherently non-flammable and achieve the best possible fire rating
Breathable, allowing vapour and moisture to pass through the wall construction when combined with breathable insulation, preventing risks of condensation and mould which can occur in airtight modern buildings.
Excellent thermal properties, reducing the amount of insulation required to meet and exceed building control requirements, and helping to create a stable internal environment year-round.
An innovative profile allows the blocks to “lock” together (a bit like Lego!) offering a high level of accuracy and allowing a fast installation
