Two things here that might be useful to those of us who are building. But the popular science what's new are always fun.
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/bown2005/hometech/index.html
featuring timbersil--it's a waterglass treatment for wood--haven't we seen this before?
http://www.timbersil.com/
And a sprayable concrete, plenty pozzolans--"ash" (some people are already spraying concrete but this is supposed to set up in 20 minutes--don't screw it up--have fun cleaning your sprayer?).
http://www.grancrete.net/grancrete_specs12.htm
http://www.grancrete.net/grancrete_overview12.htm
Have we seen the "Timbersill" product before?
Looking at this add I notice it's a product thats basicly about pressure treating with Sodium Silicate. This is something I've read about before, in regards to fireproofing. Mix the chemical with water, spray it on all your framing-beams-wood siding and your house won't burn.
Sodium silicate can be added to paint and whatever.
Is it real?
Is it toxic?
Does it burn?
Does it break down structural strength of lumber?
I asked my nephew (who is a chemist and a chemical engineer)
Aparently he's to busy making $ for the oil refinery or doesn't know. It's been two years without a reply.
I just read an article about using this to seal concrete floors after staining them! If I can find the link I will post it.
I'm interested in knowing if they have a fire retardant product for home use-- I've got a lot of bare wood.
Stop it, Daddymem. :-/
Hey...
Hmmmmm-- that picture shows some deterioration possibly UV damage.
I think this product may slow deterioration of exposed wood and stop the burning. :o
Here's a link with some info, and a list of what appear to be low-cost ($6.50/gal) sources of sodium silicate. We used it as a temporary repair for engines with leaky head gaskets and radiators, cracked cylinder heads and engine blocks. Last I bought at the local drug store was around $12/qt!
http://www.angelfire.com/nc/isoptera/
Harry51
I'd hope that the storeboughten Timbersil would be waterproof as well as all the other good things. Looks like the home-treated boards are not.
Of course there is both a food grade (used, among other things, to preserve eggs) and the chemical grade stuff.
Here's two for the price of one! This link is to an interesting article on Timbersil:
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/ezine/interview.cfm
And, it's in a pretty interesting free ezine for woodworkers available at:
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/ezine/currentissue.cfm
durn, probably won't be out for at least a year!
But the e-zine looks fun.