If you have any questions about Hebel Products, which aren't answered below, please contact us on 1300 369 448.
- What sizes are the blocks available?
The face dimensions of Thermoblocks (construction blocks) are 600mm long x 200mm high. The blocks are available in a range of thicknesses starting from 50mm and increasing in 25mm increments, that is 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, 200mm, 225mm, 250mm, 275mm, and 300mm thick.
- Can I build a fireplace with Hebel® PowerBlocks?
Hebel® PowerBlocks can be used as an insulating layer around a metal casing. The blocks should not come into direct contact with the flame.
- Do I have to render Hebel® PowerBlock™?
Hebel® should have a coating system applied to the surface to improve the appearance and to prevent water ingress.
- How thick should the render layer be?
Hebel® SkimCoat (used on panel products) is applied in a thickness of 2-4mm. Hebel® HighBuild™ render (suitable for all Hebel® products) is applied up to 7 or 8mm thick.
Onsite sand and cement renders must be avoided.
- Can we use conventional render on Hebel® PowerBlocks?
No. Conventional render has a high cement content and strength, and is likely to shrink at a higher rate than the blockwork. Hebel® recommends using Hebel® Render, as it is specifically designed for the Hebel® and pre-bagged to ensure consistency. A site mixed render will have to be weaker than a conventional render mix, Hebel® suggests 1:2:9 (cement):(lime):(sand) mix with an initial splash coat to enhance keying.
- Can I lay Hebel® blocks in conventional mortar?
Hebel® recommends all Hebel® to Hebel® connections be bonded with Hebel® adhesive. Hebel® has fire tested a 100mm thick wall with 10mm thick mortar joints. Unfortunately, no design charts are available at this stage. Please contact Hebel® on 1300 369 448 for further information.
- What conventional mortar mix can I use?
The tested mortar mix is 1(cement):4(sand) with Dynex.
- How do I design Hebel® PowerBlock™ buildings?
The Australian Standard, AS3700 : Masonry Structures, presents the necessary guidelines to design a Hebel® block building. To assist designers, Hebel® has prepared a Technical Manual, which presents these guidelines in a chart from the Hebel® Technical Manual available on this website under Resources.
- Is meshing required when rendering Hebel® blockwork?
Yes. Meshing is required at locations of high stress. A guide to the locations for meshing is presented in the Hebel® Technical Manual, which is available through this website under Resources.
- What is the compressive strength of Hebel® Thermoblocks?
Hebel® Thermoblocks have a compressive strength of 2.5 MPa
- Can I lay blocks that are wet after rain?
No. The adhesive may not bond the blocks as well if they are saturated. The Hebel® may experience a small amount of drying shrinkage.
- What is the biggest block I can purchase and is there a minimum purchase quantity?
Hebel® do make large blocks, but they are not our standard product so there is a lead time to manufacture. The maximum block dimensions are 1500 x 400 x 400mm and a minimum order of 5 pallets is required for these blocks to be produced.
- Can I build a retaining wall with Hebel® products?
No. Hebel® does not recommend the use of its products to retain soil.
- What is the price of Hebel® products?
The price of Hebel® products is available through a distributor. The contact details of your nearest distributor can be accessed through the Specifier Section/Contact Distributor on this website.
- How do I obtain information on Hebel® products?
Published literature can be viewed and printed from this website. A distributor will be most willing to discuss your queries with you. The contact details of your nearest distributor can be accessed through the Specifier Section/Contact Distributor on this website.
- How do I purchase Hebel® products?
Hebel® products are available through a distributor. The contact details of your nearest distributor can be accessed through the Specifier Section/Contact Distributor on this website.
- Are there any precautions I should take when handling and cutting Hebel® products?
Yes. Hebel® products are manufactured from aerated autoclaved concrete. As for all cementitious products, the user should take all pre-cautions associated with cutting concrete. These pre-cautions include: P1 or P2 class respirators (for fine dust from powered cutting tools), eye protection and ear protection, as well as long sleeved clothes and gloves as the dust could irritate the skin. Hebel® recommends reading all relevant Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) prior to working with Hebel® products, available on this website under the Resources section.
- Do I need to waterproof Hebel® products?
Yes. Hebel® should have an acrylic texture coat applied to the surface to prevent water ingress. All Hebel® that is in contact with the ground should have a flexible waterproof membrane applied.
- Can I use Hebel® for plinths?
Yes, the designer should ensure the Hebel® product has adequate strength, and importantly, the top of the plinth exposed to the elements should be flashed with a metal capping.
- Can I use Hebel® in bathrooms?
Yes. Hebel® blockwork is commonly used for hobs and blocking in around bathtubs. Note, Hebel® should be coated with an appropriate waterproof membrane.
- What type of fixings can I use with Hebel® products and where do I find them?
A range of manufacturers produce fixings for use in aerated autoclaved concrete products. These manufacturers include: Hilti, Powers Fasteners, Ramset, TOX Fasteners, Fischer, and Helifix. Hebel® is currently preparing a publication to summarise the common fixings and will be available through this website.
- What do I require to cut Hebel® products?
Hebel® products with no reinforcement can be cut with a handsaw, which can be purchased through a Hebel® distributor. Products with reinforcement are usually cut with a circular saw fitted with a diamond tipped cutting blade. Note, this apparatus produces fine dust particles, so please wear all necessary safety equipment.
- Do Hebel® recommend installers?
Hebel® has a list of installers that install the various Hebel® products, but the workmanship of these installers is not warranted or accredited by Hebel®. Please contact the nearest Hebel® representative or distributor for installer details phone 1300 369 448.
- Where can I obtain a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)?
The MSDS sheets are available under the Resources section on this website.
- Can I build a retaining wall with Hebel® products?
No. Hebel® does not recommend the use of its products to retain soil.
- What sizes are the blocks available?
The face dimensions of Thermoblocks (construction blocks) are 600mm long x 200mm high. The blocks are available in a range of thicknesses starting from 50mm and increasing in 25mm increments, that is 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, 200mm, 225mm, 250mm, 275mm, and 300mm thick.
- Can I build a fireplace with Hebel® blocks?
Hebel® blocks can be used as an insulating layer around a metal casing. The blocks should not come into direct contact with the flame.
- How do I obtain information on Hebel® products?
Published literature can be viewed and printed from this website. A distributor will be most willing to discuss your queries with you. The contact details of your nearest distributor can be accessed through the Specifier Section/Contact Distributor on this website.
- What is the price of Hebel® products?
The price of Hebel® products is available through a distributor. The contact details of your nearest distributor can be accessed through the Specifier Section/Contact Distributor on this website.
- How do I purchase Hebel® products?
Hebel® products are available through a distributor. The contact details of your nearest distributor can be accessed through the Specifier Section/Contact Distributor on this website.
- How environmentally friendly is Hebel®?
No other product offers you such comfort whilst minimizing environmental impact.
Hebel® is the only residential cladding material to have been awarded the Good Environmental Choice Australia Label. www.geca.org.au (reduced environmental load of at least 30% over the life cycle)
Hebel® requires far less raw materials to produce
- 1⁄ 3 of that used for clay bricks
- 1⁄ 4 of that used for concrete
Hebel® manufacture uses a fraction of the energy, produces no toxic gases and creates almost no waste substances – even the steam generated is recycled!
As Hebel® PowerPanels are produced to suit standard building sizes there is minimal wastage during construction.
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