Thermalite is a material used in construction. Its features are similar to concrete’s, but it is much easier to cut and shape. Thermalite comes in the form of blocks and can be stacked on top of each other in the same way concrete can. In fact, once a thermalite block is installed, it is virtually indistinguishable from concrete until the user cuts or drills into it. Thermalite is highly flexible and can withstand large amounts of pressure while providing thermal insulation to any building.
Applications
Thermalite blocks have many uses, but are almost always used in construction because they are very light and versatile. Thermalite is often used when building houses, garages, fish ponds, or any other type of structure that involves moving large blocks into a specific alignment. Thermalite blocks are not only easy to install, but are also easy to modify later on. They have varying strength levels to ensure that the type purchased is suitable for the project at hand.
Advantages
Thermalite has many different advantages, the most noticeable being the fact that it is extremely light and flexible when compared to concrete or wood. Thermalite can be cut, drilled, or even snapped into pieces with a hammer and chisel. Thermalite blocks air flow, which results in enormous levels of thermal insulation. This causes a building’s interior temperature to be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Thermalite can also withstand large amounts of pressure and has many uses.
Disadvantages
Although thermalite is a very versatile material that can withstand large amounts of pressure, it is also very soft which means that it can crack or fall apart if improperly cut or drilled into. In most situations, items such as nails or screws pose no threat to thermalite. However, if the object that the nail or screw suspends is too heavy, it can tear the thermalite directly around the nail. This can be avoided by filling a drill hole with epoxy glue, which the thermalite absorbs, thereby providing a much stronger hold on the nail and the object that it is supporting.
Where to Find Thermalite Blocks
Thermalite blocks are not easily found in general marketplaces due to their large size and industry specific purposes. They are often found in the same places where concrete blocks and other building materials are sold. Thermalite blocks are usually sold at a discount when purchased in large quantities, although they may be priced at nearly $2.00 per block. Purchasing just 100 or more thermalite blocks at once can significantly reduce the price to between $0.50 and $0.75 cents per block.
