Advantages of the Ecobeam System of construction

The Ecobeam System complies with all NHBRC requirements

Construction can take place at locations to which road access is not provided. This reduces the damage and congestion caused by heavy trucks which carry bricks and cement.

No electricity is required at the construction site and only minimal amounts of water and cement are required.

1500 bags fit into the boot of a small car and weigh only a few kilograms. This is the equivalent of 3000 bricks over the same area in a cavity wall.

The construction technique can easily be learnt in a few days by people without experience in the building trade. A regular "builder" would pick it up immediately.

The Ecobeams are light in weight and can be easily handled by one person in all phases of the construction.

The only "wet" trade required is the plasterer. The plaster adheres easily to the sandbags and chicken wire that covers the walls. The Ecobags are made wet before the plastering process.

The wet bags behind the plaster enable the plasterwork to "cure" instead of merely drying, as it does in standard construction. The end result is a very hard and reinforced cement finish.

No bricks lie around the site before, during or after completion, thus eliminating "site-clearing", which is a major cost factor on any building site. Unused bags can be removed from the site overnight thereby reducing the incidence of theft.

The “Ecobeam System” exhibits tremendous thermal stability. The occupants will be kept cool in summer and warm in winter. The system also has excellent sound absorbing properties which help to provide a measure of privacy in close quarter living.

The “Ecobeam System” is much heavier than brick construction and is therefore wind resistant.

The “Ecobeam System” resists water penetration due to the fact that the sand in the bags is a filter medium – any water penetrating the plaster will simply “filter” down to the damp-course and exit the wall to the outside.

The “Ecobeam System” is fire resistant.

Construction rate of the “Ecobeam System” is rapid.

All members of the community can be involved, thereby creating a sense of ownership, belonging and contribution in the participants.

The walls of the “Ecobeam System” are bullet-proof.