>>Back to Past Projects Project: Papercrete Fence Date:October 2006 Summary: I've recently purchased a property that is wide open and really needs a bit more privacy. Putting up a fence can be more complicated than you think when you take into account time, expenses, and sustainability. Based on my needs it was agreed that papercrete would be the material to try. Papercrete is not a particularly popular building material, but it has some great features such as: nice reuse of paper (we used a right-wing local newspaper) insulation (R=3.2 value per 1" thick) minimal use of concrete (25% concrete to paper ratio) light weight (less labor needed) poored in slabs (faster than bricks) sound proofing Video: Images:

Updates:

• 20061205 - A rather feeble attempt to cast our own hot spring bath tub from 60lbs of saw dust was attempted. Although the material is beginning to harden a week later, I doubt this will work.
• 20061202 - We covered a sofa chair with papercrete. I think it will make great outdoor furniture.
• 20061115 - We spent five days building our own tow behind papercrete mixer and have completed our first mix.
• 20061119 - A wild experiment of mixing foam core board, plastic, tape, cardboard, and soft cover books has been semisuccessful. We use only 15% portland cement and no accelerant which has been slow to dry and not strong enough.
• 20061119 - I've been placing solar lights directly into the papercrete to illuminate the sidewalk once these slabs become fencing.