Welcome to the self-sufficiency revolution! Our channel provides the ABC's to build your dreams! We are your go-to source for eco-friendly building techniques using Abundacrete, a lightweight and versatile material made from a mixture of cement and styrofoam. We love alternative, building methods, natural building materials, and all things affordable and sustainable! Our expert hosts share valuable tips and tricks for building. Whether you're looking to construct an aircrete home or incorporate aircrete walls into your renovation project - Abudacrete can do it! We also explore off-grid living and minimalist homes, highlighting the benefits of modular and prefabricated homes for energy-efficient and passive solar homes. Our content is perfect for DIY enthusiasts and those interested in alternative building materials, especially green building materials. Follow us for inspiration and advice on building your dream home with sustainable living in mind.
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And to have insulated windows at night I saw plans where they blow foam beads inside between the panes of glass and vacuum them out during the day. There’s a foam bead chamber built in to the window.
That sounds great! We were looking at doing that with sand. Where did you see this design?
whered you guys go?
Sorry for the delay! Working on several big projects, updates coming soon
I plan to build a multi-story house. There's a video of someone building a house with aircrete, but with cement columns every 8 feet.
That's a good idea! If you see the workshop in our videos, it is multistory with no framing. We do recommend you add more support like columns, but it goes to show how strong the compressive strength of the styrofoam is and how strong the fiberglass mesh is!
Hi. Just found your work upon researching aircrete. Would your system be strong enough to build a gothic arch building with 5m (15ft i believe) radius UNFRAMED (just the masonry mixture cast into forms and built with, like medieval masters built with stone)? Im planning 60cm thick arch walls (~2.5ft). Do you think it would stand or wood framing is necessary bc otherwise it would collapse?
It should stand especially with the Gothic arch shape which keeps the walls in compression. The large workshop in our videos is unframed with a second story on top and is holding up great 4 years later so we proved the strength of this material in many uses. Check out our online class at abundancebuild.com to get our exact recipes, cost spreadsheets, and step by step video guide for how to accomplish your build at the best price!
Do you live in an area prone to earth quakes? Hmmmmm
No, but having a homogeneous fiberglass shell wrapped around your building and coated in stucco is great for earthquake resistance!
a dome would be simple to make...only need one size triangle mold = geodesic dome... I made one useing wood frame triangles with plastic sheathing to make a greenhouse one time for something to do.
Good idea! It will just take a while to make all the blocks, that's why we pour the whole wall in one go.
Loadmaster, one word.. is still in business.. I just checked their website.. they have upgraded to newer better edging starter strips.. but this sheetrock is exterior type sheetrock.. give you something to ponder about. I'd like to show you my concept on concrete floor foundation Without a one day unipour.. and it can be nailed to for any other walls or flooring applications you come up with. Not everyone can pour a slab in one day by themselves.. plus any additions or multiple directions or addons can easily be attached.
Great idea! Yea, we are always studying new products and ways to simplify for DIYers - you can email us at [email protected]
I used to be a metal roofer.. and our company tried this new method of roof decking called LOAD MASTER.. it was technically 7/16 inch sheetrock with beveled sides to mimic tongue and groove. We used 2 layers staggered so that no joints met above and below. Then taped the joints with super masking tape.. later a asphalt shingle roof could be nailed to that sheetrock.. but my point is, sheetrock is flexible and works well with grout or cement..
You're right! Drywall is one of the options we teach in the class. We just like the low cost and longevity of stucco best if you're willing to do the work.
You're the man. I literally type in the search bar for videos like this and get nothing this good. So finally your video just popped up in my algorithm videos I might like..
Welcome in! We have more videos coming soon! You can check out our playlist for a start to finish on this build :)
Can you use styrocrete in the foundation?
Yes that is covered in our online class! We vary the mix a bit with 4 inches of Abundacrete then 2 inches of standard cement on top. This creates a better insulated slab at a lower cost!
I heard that styrofoam off gasses endochrine system disruptors and styrocrete structures should not be used for human habitation. Do you know anything about this or is this just a myth?
Styrofoam is 98% air and not a significant off gasser; when you coat the beads in cement and then lock it behind stucco there is virtually zero exposure. Modern homes use all types of foam insulation open air with no concern - what we do is even better since it is cement coated and shielded.
Well done mate, cheers
Thank you!
It been quite a while since your last video. Will you be posting more videos here ?
Yes, sorry for the delay.
Whats that big wooden structure he is forming the stuff on? A form? I could say something about magic crystals but will leave it at the giant form you are building.
For this build we made a reusable mold. We ended up coming up with a couple better methods also.
I’ve been following you for a while and want to build with styro cement in Puerto Rico. I’m am putting together a workshop for a build in December 2024 and have some questions. I don’t twitter, so what is the best way to get in touch with you?
Sounds great! Email us at [email protected]
Just got the course, haven't even opened it yet. But was wondering, does this system work for domes and quonset hut-shape buildings? I imagine it would. By the way everybody, there's still a discount available at checkout... 👍
Yes you can do any shape! For domes it may be easier for you to pair Abundacrete with earthbags. We found it was so lightweight you can carry the bags around and shape them easily! The precision of your woodworking cuts for domes in other methods is possible but more challenging
Garden Shed looks really Nice! Unfortunately styrofoam on its own is an awful material when thinking about the environment and mixed materials is a world problem, not being able to separate the two materials when the structure comes to the end of its lifecycle is a massive issue.
We divert styrofoam heading directly to the landfill and sequester it behind long lasting cement walls that we have now made self-healing (aka Roman Cement!) There is no reason to bring the building down, but if you need to you can grind the material down to reuse it as an insulative filler once again. This is significantly better than the landfill which is the number source of micro plastics in our environment.
Shut up....
you don't tell anyone how aggravating it is to use that space ,your fkin ignorant
What a great presentation; what a lot of work
Thanks! We did the work to discover easier ways to get this result so you don't have to do it the hard way haha! We compiled it in an online class at abundancebuild.com
Did you test the flammability of a sample of the dried styrocrete ?
Yes! Check the video out here: m.kzread.info/dash/bejne/foGEtJqiZKy9faQ.html
I've been traveling overseas for the past year ans am here six months after the video was released. I'm so excited you have the course up and completed - dissapointed to have missed the big discount, but still happy to buy it. I'm so excited to return to the States and start building my new home! My old home is a traditional log cabin, my new one will be Abundacrete!
Awesome! Welcome back! The class is 40% off, code SUMMER40 is automatically applied to checkout so the discount is almost the same. Enjoy our research and all the savings and benefits of Abundacrete!
What is the formula?? How much aircrete , styrofoam and cement??? Please help im reader to build my parents home in rosarito México
You can get all of our research including formulas and building methods in our online class at abundancebuild.com
I am in Birmingham and have been working on "In-fill" housing plans for low income housing using "pocket neighborhoods" to promote neighborhood and security. I would very much like to visit you to discuss how your work might be the solution to our challenge to provide affordable housing (mortgages) for minimum wage workers. I have already met with the City and would like to share my knowledge and experience to further your efforts.
Sounds great! Email us at [email protected]
@11:00 we use Dryvit Primus to stick on the mesh and then a smooth finish coat , all in one motion. That stuff is TOUGH . Makes for a much stronger end product.
Thanks for the tip! We will look into it!
I am very interested in building this (kzread.info/dash/bejne/Z3tlr9ajdbyvd7w.htmlsi=wxqC5sLv8njwQR7r) house plan with this (i.pinimg.com/originals/2d/d0/96/2dd096ec7457be5e2b6549ac1175c389.jpg) curved style I created. It looks like your building process would work. What do you think?
Was it styrofoam or perlite they used
We use recycled shredded styrofoam. We get it for free from a factory; before that we got it from a store and shredded it with a lawnmower!
Amaizing workmanship !
Thank you!
Are you in effect a torsion panel?
You could say that but it's not a panel; it's the entire wall connected so much stronger!
Thanks for the reply
@@clarkmessec7580 You're welcome!
what about shredded plastic bottles?
You can technically shred anything but you won't get the great insulation effect that the foam provides because it is 98% air
good afternoon this is pretty exciting as i was seriously thinking of build with air crete but i had heard of some the problems with it, i iive in Mexico in the state of chaipas and ill be about at 800 ft in elevation so im looking at temps of 20 night time to 37, 38 c during the day and we get the rainy season and the humidity often like it is in Texas 80 to 95 humidity so my question to you is where do i get the stryofoam ill look online first because in my area nobody uses styrofoam as far as i know
The best place is a styrofoam factory; but if you don't have one in range, appliance and furniture stores have big pieces. Anywhere that sells boats also will have large blocks. Abundacrete outperforms aircrete by such a wide margin it is worth it to source and shred free styrofoam!
This sounds so amazing, honestly! Alas, the price is beyond us and I'm not even sure our country has all the stuff that might go into making it. We do have abundant waste like styrofoam and part of our advocacy is trying to teach people in poorer areas to build better while using cheaper materials too, specially since we live in a typhoon prone area. Could you perhaps share a standard (not your proprietary Abundacrete/etc stuff, of course!) mix/ratio/formula using styrofoam and cement that you think would work as well? Our research has led us to try a cement:sand:styro of 1:2:5 and 2:1:5 but we haven't had promising results yet. Thank you very much.
Please email us at [email protected] and we can provide a discount for your humanitarian efforts! You need all of the information to get the lowest overall price on each build
could you make a stucco covered brick (like at the end) and then throw it into a campfire and just see what happens with sustained heat and flame?
Sure! We could do that as part of an updated fire test video soon
was thinking the same thing myself after watching this; aircrete and styrocrete each seem to be suitable insulation and protective materials
@@grassabrutta Right but Styrocrete (or as we have now upgraded to Abundacrete) outperforms aircrete in so many ways. Mainly ease of production, being able to stack without bubbles popping, and lower cost! Check out our online class at abundancebuild.com to get all of our research and building methods up to version 4.0!
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 KZread?
@@Capnmax Version 1.0 is free here on KZread. 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
It would be nice to have a link to the guy you keep referring to. I can;t understand the name so no way to find it. The videos are great but hearing there are plans is frustrating when I haven;t clue how to find them.
Sorry about that. I also forgot who he was or how to find him. Thanks for watching!
I can't find the ratio of portland to styrofoam.
It's included in our online class at abundancebuild.com, use code SPRING40 for 40% off
how does the house breath if you make it so air tight? sounds like it would get moldy to me, tell me if im wrong
Cement walls don't really need to breathe much, the air exchange is handled by your ventilation set up. The material itself is mold proof since it is entirely cement-coated stucco
How much does styrocrete slab cost compared to a traditional concrete slab? What approximate percentage cheaper?
You can do 4 inches of Abundacrete at about $2 per square foot under 2 inches of standard cement for a slab
so, JUST HOW WELL WOULD THIS SHED HOLD UP TO SPRAYING "SHOTCRETE" OVER THE TOP, AND THEN USING FOR A FORM TO BUILD A UNDERGROUND CONCRETE TUNNEL WITH 2 FOOT THICK WALLS? AND THEN 10 FEET OF DIRT OVER THE TOP? THIS GOTHIC SHAPE IS WHAT THE GERMANS USED FOR THEIR UNDERGROUND TUNNELS THAT STILL EXIST TODAY! i was wondering how well this styrocrete shed would hold up to the weight. a guy could put some standoffs into the ribs and drape chain link fencing over the standoffs and spray with shotcrete, thick enough (possibly several layers of shotcrete), to make it strong enough to become the INSIDE FORM, to use to pour 2 or 3 foot thick concrete over the top of this form. a guy mixing the concrete himself and pouring in a 360 degree radius , i think the concrete would setup enough to NOT push outward hard enough to bust the outside form.
Between the materials and the shape this would be ideal for the weight distribution. Your ideas for additional reinforcement sound great! We can't say exactly how well it would hold up without testing it but there is definitely reason to believe it would work well!
Chain link won't do. You need rebar, spaced fairly close. Without engineering, i'd go #4 bar 6" on center. Also, you'll need more than a basic pad to deal with the vertical load and some way to cope with the spreading forces at rhe base. If you get all of that right, six inches of shotcrete encapsularing the rebar will be plenty. Thicker at the base, obviously. I'm very curious how the Germans waterproofed the structure before burying it. If you have pics or drawings, pls post a link!
Can you build a pool with this?
Yes and it would be good for insulating a pool!
Any new videos in the works?
Yes sorry for the delay! We have a few on deck and are integrating the giveaways too!
Steven, I love your videos and what you are doing. How does this compare price wise and structurally with a pole barn? I am looking at a place that already has a cement slab from an old building that I am considering building a 30' x 40' workshop on that slab with either 16' or 20' ceiling. Would these kind of walls support that size of roof? What are your thoughts?
The biggest challenge would be the height. Working on scaffolding at that height is pretty intimidating. Our method comes out to $5 per square foot
@@AbundanceBuild so if a pole barn frame carried the roof load and this was used instead of metal siding? I haven't priced out metal siding in terms of square feet. I wonder? hummm
@@KellyLCall Galvalume is very affordable and Abundacrete can stick to it nicely to insulate it! That would be probably your fastest and best performance solution, we touch on that in the Online Class at abundancebuild.com
@@AbundanceBuild I just had a thought. I wonder how this would integrate with 3d printed walls? Using the 3d material to support the load of the roof and this to fill in the gaps. It would be super insulated and perhaps you could 3d print two or three feet of elevation at a time and then stop and fill it with this stuff and then 3d print the next 3 feet. it would make placing and packing this material a lot easier if you only had to do a 3 foot deep section at a time. Thoughts?
@@KellyLCall I think that is the best way to integrate it with 3D printing! But the cost of moving the giant 3D printing rig and the fact that it cannot do roofs has made us less interested in 3D printing and doubtful it will ever create "affordable" housing
This is an incredible method of building. I talked to my city ordinance office, and they are okay with this method of building providing there is a wood or steel frame to hold the materials. I will buy the online class tomorrow after I get home from work. This will go a long way toward remodeling my 120-year-old house. Also, thanks for talking to me by email.
You're welcome! Glad it got approved!
when on your. web site, is the course you offer the online course ?, will be building this summer, and want to make sure it is the online course.. Thank you
Yes the new website is abundancebuild.com where you can download the entire online class and store it on your device or offline whenever you're ready to build!
Where can I get the book very interested, can’t afford the class. I would love it try this
The book comes with the class. We are about to launch the spinner giveaways with discounts up to 80% off, so if you hit the notification bell and watch the channel you can wait for the best price
Would this course work for rehabbing an older home? I'm thinking the styrocrete would work great for insulation.
Yes, the recipes and applications can be used for retrofitting! Use code SPRING40 for 40% off at abundancebuild.com
@@AbundanceBuild SWEET! I'm glad I found your channel. (Liked, Subscribed and Notified.)
@@JoeBManco Thank you! More ambitious projects coming soon!
@@AbundanceBuild Looking forward to more videos coming. I will certainly look at buying your course after I pay some bills and talk to the city planning office tomorrow. I just need to make sure they would be okay with using aircrete/styrocrete as insulation before starting. This idea looks like it will save a considerable amount of money over Rockwool insulation, especially when pairing this with a stucco exterior instead of Masonite siding.
@@JoeBManco Having the same idea. Post any outcomes if you can.
have you tried some rebar in it?
It's not necessary with the homogeneous fiberglass shell but you can definitely add rebar if you want!
Another question. Do you ever have projects where you have people show up and help and view the process? Or is are you video instructions all we need? I found a SIP manufacturer 50 miles away.
The videos cover everything you need to know! We do not do any in person workshops
I have looked at many different alternative ways to build, aircrete, dustcrete, using regular cement blocks, working with stones and concrete, but styrocrete looks like a great alternative.
We tried them all and are convinced our methods are the lowest cost and best performance! If you'd like to learn step by step how we do it check out our online class at abundancebuild.com (Use code SPRING40 for 40% off!)
That spring sale getting ready to happen? Can't wait for some updates.
Yes we completely redid the website to make it more user friendly abundancebuild.com ! Use code SPRING40 for 40% off! Filming an update video now
@@AbundanceBuild SWEET
Can the course be downloaded for offline use?
Yes that is how it is delivered now at abundancebuild.com! Use code SPRING40 for 40% off!
@@AbundanceBuild it's a little expensive for me at the moment. How long is the sale going on for?
@@NeonDisciple No worries! We have a new spinner intro game with discounts between 50% to 80% off, if you hit the bell button to keep watching the channel you can snag the best discount when the spinner lands on it. Also there is a pay in installments option at checkout